Vo2 Max training - did I do it right?

Training
82

Maybe the problem here is the running talk. Nobody in cycling would take 10 minute on a power duration curve and prescribe that as “vo2 max” work.

I’ve followed Magnus’ work extensively and I sometimes have a hard time reconciling running ideas with cycling. I don’t think vo2max work in cycling is as physically damaging as it is in running and thus maybe his stance on vo2 work would be different.

Also, running races (typically XC / track) tend to be shorter than cycling. I know my kid essentially did a vo2max workout at least once a week during his races and thus didn’t need any extra.

83

Totally agree with all of this.

The “10 minute power” thing was just something I threw out there as an alternative description to descriptions such as “max” and “all out.” But yeah, cycling is different… kind of a blend of running and swimming due to the reduced impact.

84

I call this “drowning" :rofl:

85

Still, you could compare the typical power ranges prescribed for VO2max work (115–130 %) and see what duration that corresponds to.

86

boom yes

we should be calling them either Zone 5 intervals if you’re pacing by power. or “atomic fish out of water breathing” intervals if your goal is to get your breathing to fish-out-of-water status and just hold on.

my head is spinning watching people argue two different things but think they are talking about the same thing

87

I don’t have the impression that either side of the argument isn’t aware that our definitions are different. We agree to disagree, and that is fine. Simply put, one side thinks VO2max moniker is descriptive, the other prescriptive, and we differ on what the goal of VO2max workouts ought to be.

This argument on the internet doesn’t impact my training (Monday’s VO2max workout was hard, my legs were weak and my cardiovascular system strong) and I reckon it won’t impact anyone elses :slight_smile: I still curse long VO2max workouts, they are never easy no matter how strong you get. :sweat_smile:

88

He did try and fix it with “iLevels” to be fair…. but he still lumps durations of 1-14mins all in one bucket which I think is odd.

But unfortunately it seems whatever he says becomes dogma that not even he can change…..

89

You could but power duration curve #s are absolute best efforts over some period of time. If you want to do 5x5min and your 5 minute on your PDC is 300watts you probably don’t want to do 5 of those at your best ever power. You probably got to choose 275 watts or something more conservative so you aren’t wrecked after the first few.

90

I heard on the Empirical podcast that we have have the “tempo” zone only because Coggan was doing fartlek intevals in that range.

91

Or treading water