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Interesting scientific article on pacing and fueling

deleshdelesh
in General Training Discussions

 This is focused on marathons but it seems relevant to all endurance sports. This scientific study seems to confirm the whole EN strategy of maintaining a constant pace and for the duration of an endurance event. I heard that the author also intends to create a website with his formulas to calculate the best race pace for each person. 


Article:

http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000960

Comments

  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    great find, thanks!
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    It is interesting, but not terribly prescriptive. The model would rely on you knowing your body's muscle glycogen density, etc, as well as knowing your VO2max (probably by HR, not pace). Overall, I have a hard time imagining something coming out of this type of work that will actually prove useful.

    Of course, it is all based on the premise that 'hitting the wall' is an easily identifiably phenomenon of running out of muscle glycogen. I'm also pert convinced by the works of others (Noakes and his disciples) that this is a poor explanation. Therefore, a model built on this assumption is probably not something I'm giving a fair shake in the first place (full disclosure of my biases).

    That said, it would be interesting to see if they were able to proscriptively validate the output of the model in real world circumstances. Then, it would get my attention.

    Mike
  • deleshdelesh

     Yes, they will definitely have to prove that their formulas work, but it would be very cool to be able to calculate an optimal race pace and fueling requirements.

    Here is a wired article I found that comments on the research:

    http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2...thon-math/

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Good write up. I'm a bit skeptical, since Vdot was designed to approximate VO2max, and you definitely don't need a Vdot of 60 to go 3:10 in a marathon.

    I tend to think that there's a required minimum carbohydrate level you need, and if you fall below that, you're in trouble. But I don't really think it scales above that ( ie. If you take in a little more, you can go a little faster). I think you're either there or not. I've Ne
    Ver seen evidence to suggest this phenomenon, so it leaves me skeptical of a model built on this premise.

    Good read.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Okay, read it and agree with Mike. A vDOT of 60 to go 3:10? I ran 2:59 on a 57. I think that there are multiple functions at work here:

    1) Maintaining a basic level of carbohydrates.
    2) Knowing how to maintain it within a race situation.
    3) Running a steady pace so as not to mess with #1 or #2.

    I think my secret weapon is my ability to eat well and ride very steady.

    P
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