Understanding VO2 Max: What Does It Tell You? (Part 2)
Universal Sports web producer Jason Devaney recently visited Krista Schultz, MEd, CSCS to have his VO2 max tested. He learned he has a VO2 max of 55.3 ml/kg/min, which is well above his age predicted value of 44. So what does that number tell him? (Note: you can read more about Jason’s testing experience on Jason’s blog). As discussed in my previous article: “Understanding VO2 Max: What Exactly Is It?” VO2 max can be defined as “the maximal rate at which an individual can process oxygen.” By itself, an individual’s VO2 max number is simply a good...
Read MoreLessons Learned from Kona Rookie Bill Beyer
My client Bill Beyer (be sure to read about the Beyer Project) who competed in the Ironman World Championship on October 11 shared some wise and entertaining insights about racing in the ocean and lava fields at Kona: Pre-race: Bring support [family, friends] for the week. When preparing, leave the AC off in the room at night and open the windows. [David's comment: Best way to acclimatize is to arrive Kona at least a week ahead of time] Swim: Use Vaseline to stop chaffing, as it will not come off during the swim. When waiting for the swim start, blow up a beach ball and sit on it....
Read MoreThe Selfishness of Triathlon…or Not?
Is triathlon a selfish sport…or not? One of my clients who is training for Ironman Arizona on November emailed me the other day regarding his struggle with the “selfishness” of the sport: I have been struggling lately when I realize that the sport we are involved in can be selfish. I train a lot and hence don’t give back as often as I should. I took a group of church kids to the Comcast center yesterday afternoon and then to a church service. There were leaders on the trip that volunteer all the time. They ask me about my training and its make me reflect on how self...
Read MoreUnderstanding VO2 Max: What Exactly Is It? (Part 1)
What exactly is VO2 max? I’m taking a Graduate level course in Exercise Physiology this fall semester through Eastern Michigan University. We’ve been reading and discussing VO2 Max so I thought I would share some of what I learned and hopefully clear up some misconceptions about what VO2 max is and isn’t. Remember when you learned in elementary school that plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and release Oxygen (O2) while humans take in O2 and produce CO2? On a cellular level, our body processes some of the O2 we breathe in through our lungs and release CO2 out through our...
Read MoreTransitioning Between Triathlon Seasons: Three Purposes
With the triathlon season winding down for most of us in North America with the exception of a few late season races like Ironman Florida, Beach to Battleship and Ironman Arizona, it’s a good time to think about what to do next. Bears hibernate in winter so why shouldn’t we? Nature sets a great example of what to do during the colder winter months (i.e. slow down activity) but hibernation is a little too extreme, as we’ll give up too much of the aerobic endurance adaptions gained from our endurance sports. If you’ve been in the sport of triathlon or other endurance...
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