What is the best time to test VO2 Max and Lactate Threshold? I am competing in my first IM at LP this year and would like to step things up for next year. I want to get my hands around the data. Any recommendations to when to perform these tests?
I thought you meant rectal exam. . As far as Vo2mx and LT? I don’t know.
There’s a lot of discussion/argument over whether VO2 max affects Ironman performance very much (assuming you’re not trying for a sub 9hr time.) However there not much argument that LT affects Ironman performance a great deal.
There’s a very good argument to be tested RIGHT NOW for LT, when you’re presumably in peak condition for the race but still have enough time to recover from the test for your race. You want to do seperate tests for bike and run.
If you have your “race fitness” testing numbers, then over the next year you can work towards improving your LT beyond your current level, so when race time comes next year you’ll know that you’re going into it fitter than last year.
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
I know most people on the board will differ from me on my opinion, but why take the risk? What if your numbers are not near as good as you think they are? That would be a mental defeat. Unless you have already been tested and have something to gauge yourself on, I would say don’t do it. Don’t limit yourself to what a test might tell you. What if the person giving you the test messes it up and your numbers are skewed? How will you know? Train hard, race harder…
There’s a lot of discussion/argument over whether VO2 max affects Ironman performance very much (assuming you’re not trying for a sub 9hr time.)
Can you provide more info on this debate?