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VO2 Max Testing Results
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I had my first VO2 Max test yesterday and was all excited when I left, thinking "whohoo - maybe now I at least have some guidance and a direction to head in to try to successfully get myself out of the overtrained state I am in." (you can see my post about overtraining here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...;;page=unread#unread)

Then today I look at the results and I may know less about all of it now than I did before the test! Of course I think of all the questions to ask now, not immediately after the test.

Does anyone have any experience interpreting the results?

Here is the data that I "think" I'm reading from my results:

VO2Max: 44 ml/kg/min
HRMax: 200
LT estimated at 74% VO2Max (did not do the blood lactate testing, just estimated from VO2 testing)

If I'm reading it right, my AT Value is 173, with a V'O2/HR/ML of 9.9 for that value (whatever that means!)

I have tons more data, but I don't know what any of it means.

I'm a bit surprised I maxed out only at 200 since some of my recent runs were topping 195-ish at a very easy effort. The tech did explain that a treadmill in air conditioner will produce different results than running outside in Houston, any time of the year, essentially acknowledging it is probably higher outside. But then again that doesn't really help me much because I have no idea how much higher. He also told his assistant as soon as I started that they may see a new record high that day because I shot up so fast (but then oddly didn't really go up much more from there).

The test was the first exercise of any type for me in 10 days, and before that I had run/walked 55 miles total in 5 weeks (including a 25k trail race 11/8), after an October 4 marathon.

I'm trying to make some sort of plan going forward to get back to training, but to make sure I don't overdo it at all at first and to work on building some aerobic base.

One school of thought is to just use the 4 zones from Going Long, based on a 200 max for running, and plan to stay only in Z1 and Z2 for a while and eventually start to insert some small intervals at Z4 once I think I'm ready. Is that useful at all, or should I use the data I just got differently? My zones using 200 max would be:
Z1: 130-148
Z2: 150-170
Z3: 172-178
Z4: 180-190

Also, I do not know what HR my LT % corresponds with. Any way to determine that with the info I have?
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [KWTriGrl] [ In reply to ]
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It's too early for me to start reading a bunch of science stuff (I'm not even done my coffee yet! haha). But might I suggest you post in the main forum? There's probably a ton of nerd boys there that know ALLLL about VO2 max, etc. :)


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I know I'm promiscuous, but in a classy way
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [cuds] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:
It's too early for me to start reading a bunch of science stuff (I'm not even done my coffee yet! haha). But might I suggest you post in the main forum? There's probably a ton of nerd boys there that know ALLLL about VO2 max, etc. :)

I am sure I'd get some good info there, but I'm also flat out scared of the main forum, especially now since all the nice womens (and mens) hang out over here!!

I will give it a little while and probably take a big gulp and post over there if nothing is coming up over here.

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Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [KWTriGrl] [ In reply to ]
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Ah, don't worry about! As long as you aren't posting any pics you're fine haha :)


______________________________________
I know I'm promiscuous, but in a classy way
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [cuds] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:
Ah, don't worry about! As long as you aren't posting any pics you're fine haha :)

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Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [KWTriGrl] [ In reply to ]
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I will write a bit on this when I get home tonight, not able to do so right now but I didn't want you to think no one was listening :-)

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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join in on the thread on the main forum, we've been chatting about it over there too, I am ashamed that I don't remember more from ex phys and doing these tests for people!

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [KWTriGrl] [ In reply to ]
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I am curious as to why you would have your VO2 max tested and not lactate.
VO2 max on it's own does not really tell one very much (except if upu are one of the people that have a naturally high VO2 max).
I have had VO2 max testing in the past and, also, lactate testing. The VO2 max testing was "nice to know" - but not really helpful in setting training zones. The lactate testing was used to set training zones.
I guess that at least it gave you a maximum (?) heart rate. The reason that I put a question mark on maximum, is that if you truly are over trained then it is doubtful that you would have reached your true maximum. You just would have been too physically tired.
The best that you can do with this data is to set your heart rate zones as suggested based on your maximum heart rate. Lactate values would have given you more accurate zones. And, if you are over trained and not racing until next year, then staying in Zones 1 and 2 to build base is a good idea.
Are you using Joe Friels' zones?
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [KWTriGrl] [ In reply to ]
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i second whoever said get the lactate tested; you may get a fair idea of it from the Vo2test like tigerchick said, it's where the line sharply jumps up.
I read your blog- i'm going to be in Waco as well over Thanksgiving- want to go for a wetsuit swim in Lake Waco? I just need to find a boat to escort :) its a thought anyway...
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Re: VO2 Max Testing Results [sidelined] [ In reply to ]
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I didn't do the lactate testing this time around because I knew none of the testing would necessarily be "actual" and it was more to kind of get a baseline and maybe a "what to do from here." I want to get the lactate testing done and hope to do it in a few months when I hopefully feel more back on my game.

You are right on the max - I was surprised it was so low, but I probably can't run hard enough right now to get there, but I also figure it is better to be setting zones off a too low max than a too high max, at least for now.

The zones I got are from Be Iron Fit (Don Fink) - the plans laid out in there all have 10 week base-building periods with all the work staying in Z1 and Z2, so that is where I got the idea to maybe take that approach.

Stinks there are no good answers and no real way of knowing if I'm on the right track or in the process of just digging myself a deeper hole.

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Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/
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