Comments on: The importance of “fitness tests”. http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/ Where our coaches discuss training ideas and how their training is going. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:14:52 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Gary’s Fitness Blog » Veterans Park Run - New Fitness Test » Sweat365 » Fitness Community http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-1857 Gary’s Fitness Blog » Veterans Park Run - New Fitness Test » Sweat365 » Fitness Community Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:00:18 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-1857 [...] the importance of Fitness Tests [...] [...] the importance of Fitness Tests [...]

]]> By: garyd http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-34 garyd Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:43:16 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-34 Jodi - thanks for replying, I was kind of wondering how all those numbers came about. I'm still curious as to how they determined what point to call "anerobic threshold" during the test. Are they using lactate threshold and anerobic threshold interchangably. That being said, I'd ask if they were up for retesting too. Especially if it was costly. There is likely something going on.... as you noticed by the VO2 and Anerobic Threshold issue. Jodi – thanks for replying, I was kind of wondering how all those numbers came about.

I’m still curious as to how they determined what point to call “anerobic threshold” during the test. Are they using lactate threshold and anerobic threshold interchangably.

That being said, I’d ask if they were up for retesting too. Especially if it was costly. There is likely something going on…. as you noticed by the VO2 and Anerobic Threshold issue.

]]> By: Jodi http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-33 Jodi Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:28:12 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-33 Thanks so much for the comment on my blog. My concern has been that my zones are set based on a LT of 171. I know that based on my HM HR of 184, that the zones have to be set too low. Based on running formulas my long run should be 9:30-10:30 miles. Keeping with my old Zone 2 rules my runs were 11:00-12:00 and not getting any faster over time. So that's why I wanted to do the test. However, I do believe that the test was flawed for me- My VO2 peaked before my Anaerbic threshold (which shouldn't be possible). In addition, my anaerobic threshold has to be at least 184, since I can run for 2 hours at that HR... So I think the mask started leaking as soon as my respirations increased... I definitely know that I won't be running my IM marathon at 168 bpm. But I do want to push myself in training to attempt to raise my fat burning percentage, and get faster. So I just want my zones to be accurate. Based on every field test I've done, my HR zones were off by 15 bpm or more. Which makes a HUGE difference (about 2 min/mile). We'll see how this all comes out in the end. I've asked for a retest with a smaller mask. I paid a lot of money for it, so hopefully she will agree... Jodi Thanks so much for the comment on my blog.

My concern has been that my zones are set based on a LT of 171. I know that based on my HM HR of 184, that the zones have to be set too low. Based on running formulas my long run should be 9:30-10:30 miles. Keeping with my old Zone 2 rules my runs were 11:00-12:00 and not getting any faster over time. So that’s why I wanted to do the test. However, I do believe that the test was flawed for me- My VO2 peaked before my Anaerbic threshold (which shouldn’t be possible). In addition, my anaerobic threshold has to be at least 184, since I can run for 2 hours at that HR… So I think the mask started leaking as soon as my respirations increased…

I definitely know that I won’t be running my IM marathon at 168 bpm. But I do want to push myself in training to attempt to raise my fat burning percentage, and get faster. So I just want my zones to be accurate. Based on every field test I’ve done, my HR zones were off by 15 bpm or more. Which makes a HUGE difference (about 2 min/mile).

We’ll see how this all comes out in the end. I’ve asked for a retest with a smaller mask. I paid a lot of money for it, so hopefully she will agree…

Jodi

]]> By: garyd http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-31 garyd Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:51:02 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-31 Zappo. I have used the 1000 yard TT that Friel suggest, taking splits (and heart rates sometimes) at each 100. What I have found is that the 1000yd TT is good to establish the "upper end" of where I will ever be in the pool. I believe that he does use it for determining your swim LTHR / pace too? One set that I have used over the years that seems to be more appropriate for people looking towards Ironman is a 10 x 200yard set. 10 seconds rest. Monitor what split you come in on. I actually do a longer set of 200's each week anyway. At the training clinic I went to back in November, Monica Byrn had some swim test sets. <a href="http://www.coachgordo.com/gtips/presentations/CoachGordoWorkoutExamples1006.pdf" rel="nofollow">Here's the PDF of the workouts she gave</a> Hope that helps. On the cycling side of things, I have never had a consistent "fitness test". I will be establishing one soon as I have an 8 week cycling block coming up. Zappo. I have used the 1000 yard TT that Friel suggest, taking splits (and heart rates sometimes) at each 100. What I have found is that the 1000yd TT is good to establish the “upper end” of where I will ever be in the pool. I believe that he does use it for determining your swim LTHR / pace too?

One set that I have used over the years that seems to be more appropriate for people looking towards Ironman is a 10 x 200yard set. 10 seconds rest. Monitor what split you come in on.

I actually do a longer set of 200’s each week anyway. At the training clinic I went to back in November, Monica Byrn had some swim test sets. Here’s the PDF of the workouts she gave

Hope that helps. On the cycling side of things, I have never had a consistent “fitness test”. I will be establishing one soon as I have an 8 week cycling block coming up.

]]> By: zappoman http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-29 zappoman Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:18:12 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-29 Gary, you mention a swimming fitness test. What do you use? Do you use Joe Friel's 100yd repeats test? I agree with all the comments about comparing yourselves to others out on the road. It always drives me crazy when I'm out on a run and someone passes me... but then I have to remember, "Hey wait, I have no idea what that guy is training for... maybe he just started and is only running 3 miles, I've been out here for 12 miles already... pace your self, don't get out of the zone"... It may seem silly, I guess I'm just that competitive, but I still have to remind myself of this almost every run. Gary, you mention a swimming fitness test. What do you use? Do you use Joe Friel’s 100yd repeats test?

I agree with all the comments about comparing yourselves to others out on the road. It always drives me crazy when I’m out on a run and someone passes me… but then I have to remember, “Hey wait, I have no idea what that guy is training for… maybe he just started and is only running 3 miles, I’ve been out here for 12 miles already… pace your self, don’t get out of the zone”… It may seem silly, I guess I’m just that competitive, but I still have to remind myself of this almost every run.

]]> By: jeffb http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-26 jeffb Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:37:13 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-26 I have to agree with you two that the group can make for some immediate disappointment.....with long-term happiness. This year is a very different training cycle for me as Jim can attest to. I am used to leading the pack on the Tuesday/Thursday runs, but this year I wanted to build a solid base of endurance rather than speed ("speed" will come later in the cycle). I am trusting that with a more relaxed and solid base built this year, I won't be worn down and burnt out come IMMOO time. These fitness tests will be key to marking my progress for this year and by adhearing to this type of schedule, hopefully lead to success during the target race. Here's to feeling like crap now........to feel accomplishment later!! I have to agree with you two that the group can make for some immediate disappointment…..with long-term happiness. This year is a very different training cycle for me as Jim can attest to. I am used to leading the pack on the Tuesday/Thursday runs, but this year I wanted to build a solid base of endurance rather than speed (“speed” will come later in the cycle). I am trusting that with a more relaxed and solid base built this year, I won’t be worn down and burnt out come IMMOO time.

These fitness tests will be key to marking my progress for this year and by adhearing to this type of schedule, hopefully lead to success during the target race.

Here’s to feeling like crap now……..to feel accomplishment later!!

]]> By: garyd http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-25 garyd Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:01:10 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-25 Jim - That is a good point. I tried to convey the idea by saying "don't compare apples to oranges." Our group is unique in that we have some good runners all getting together to workout, yet we do different races and events when we decide to "race". It is still sucks to feel like I can't run with a group of friends that I was used to running with. But here's another side to this story. There are some people in our group that are running extremely well right now. Scary good. Scary! Jim – That is a good point. I tried to convey the idea by saying “don’t compare apples to oranges.” Our group is unique in that we have some good runners all getting together to workout, yet we do different races and events when we decide to “race”.

It is still sucks to feel like I can’t run with a group of friends that I was used to running with.

But here’s another side to this story. There are some people in our group that are running extremely well right now. Scary good. Scary!

]]> By: Jim Pierce http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-24 Jim Pierce Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:11:35 +0000 http://mideastmultisport.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/the-importance-of-fitness-tests/#comment-24 Gary, Excellent and very informative post. Many of us get caught up with the competitive nature of some of our group runs, which makes it difficult because we have so many folks in our group who are really fast. However, since we are all training for different events (Jeff and you for Irons and Tri's, me for 26.2, Colleen for everything from 5K's to tri's, Duane for 5 and 10K's, etc.) and we are all at different points in our training cycles, it is great that we are all supportive and there are no real egos from our group. Plus, we all know that when Jeff and you are at peak running fitness, you both blow everyone of us away! I will be very interested in continuing to follow your journey to WI, both in person and through your posts. Jim Gary,
Excellent and very informative post. Many of us get caught up with the competitive nature of some of our group runs, which makes it difficult because we have so many folks in our group who are really fast. However, since we are all training for different events (Jeff and you for Irons and Tri’s, me for 26.2, Colleen for everything from 5K’s to tri’s, Duane for 5 and 10K’s, etc.) and we are all at different points in our training cycles, it is great that we are all supportive and there are no real egos from our group. Plus, we all know that when Jeff and you are at peak running fitness, you both blow everyone of us away!

I will be very interested in continuing to follow your journey to WI, both in person and through your posts.
Jim

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