VO2 max testing

Doug Sutherland

I asked the same question to Coach P, but curious if the team has any input: 

I did a VO2 max test at my wife's office just for fun, which was interesting. VO2 max was 55, anaerobic threshold happens at HR 130 at which pace I burn ~800-900 cal/hour apparently. Have you any experience with this type of data? Obviously, running while eating that much poses a GI challenge that is probably impossible, but I am wondering if it is worth testing eating that much on the bike (or the first half of the bike)? In years past I have tried to get 400-500cal/hour in on a standard IM bike leg.

Robert Sabo

Was that for the run or the bike?  I think these numbers will be different.  And No you can not get that many calories in while running.

Brenda Ross

My question is....just because you can burn that much....does it mean you should take that much in? I think we need much less fuel than we think.  The blood in the stomach while exercising is going to the muscles in the body, and can not help with digestion.  I would be concerned about developing stomach issues and why change something if is working. If taking in 400 calories an hour works for you why change it?

Doug Sutherland

Robert Sabo said:

Was that for the run or the bike?  I think these numbers will be different.  And No you can not get that many calories in while running.

bike only. 

@Brenda Ross  Ive never tried going past 400-500cal/hour on the bike, so not sure if more input would work better. I agree with you, I doubt I could do it anyway, but might explain why I tend to feel hungry on most long bikes (?)

Scott Alexander

I cannot even get past 300cals/hour AT MOST! I'm better at about 150-200cals on the bike and way less on the bike.