SHOCKING Lab results! Was I running TOO FAST?

[@robertsimon5625]

Considering my life choices! Brilliant. Great video

[@stevenicholls7863]

Fascinating insight Matt. Thanks so much for putting it out there.

[@cwattage]

Thanks for sharing! Love those data reports!

[@rrevdog9482]

Loved that....worried I'm becoming a geek! Annoying I got offered a free couple of vo2 max tests as part of a university experiment but couldn't quite be bothered and think what you got out was loads better. Enjoy the end of taper!

[@garybiffin7002]

Im not surprised by your running economy score always thought you looked so smooth and relaxed

[@aidanoc19]

Great video Matt, one of your best. First congratulations on the exceptional economy, nice to hear I'm sure it's not just for the cameras! Interesting advice too. Telling the one bit you can't DIY test, your gut instinct was spot on. Shows you know your body well. On the zone 1 speed, as a viewer I've often thought you don't run enough runs slow which is maybe a fear of under doing it?

[@AndriusVegan]

Thanks for sharing, very useful info.

[@joelmead]

Fantastic video as always Matt, you’ve been a big inspiration for me to start running KZbin (even if it’s only a couple shorts right now) and hope to improve and maybe even bring some more eyes to the sport like you have ❤

[@alisonwilks302]

That was very interesting and helpful. I am in a massive rut and need ideas xxxxxx

[@joekendall7265]

Hi mate, will use this video when teaching Exercise Physiology to my ATAR (University entrance course) Physical Education class (17 year olds) over in Perth, Australia 👍 .

[@littleboyblue2323]

Very Interesting, I love looking at data. I would suggest that when you are doing your easy runs (Z1 and Z2), run by heartrate instead of pace. I figured out last year that I was running WAY too hard on my easy runs and had to slow down. I first continued to run by pace like I always have but was frustrated because I couldn't get my heartrate where I wanted. I switched to running by heartrate and very quickly (about 2 weeks) I was able to run almost exactly where I wanted to on every easy run. Along the way I learned what factors affect heartrate, so my pace is not the same on every easy run, but my heartrate is. Factors like sleep, amount of work the previous day, temperature, elevation change, and terrain will affect heartrate. I don't have to look at my watch obsessively to know if I am in my correct heartrate zone, because I have run in it so much, I can feel if my heartrate is too high.

[@UltimateToronto]

What if I told you that you can run by pace and heart rate at the same time 😮

[@littleboyblue2323]

@@UltimateToronto I probably didn't explain myself very well. What I mean when I say run by heartrate, is don't worry what your pace is and follow your heartrate. If your goal is to run in Z2, then run in Z2, don't worry if your pace is. I hope this explains it better.

[@ernestdecina4767]

Looks intense!, was thinking of getting one done myself, Well done Matt!

[@HopkinsRunning]

Fascinating vlog Matt, thanks very much for sharing. Just wondering, since you found out you are utilising a high number of carbs when running, are you able to derive from the data an approx number of grams per hour of carbs you will need to take onboard during the marathon to avoid hitting the wall?

[@roryashmore]

Definitely considering getting this done. Thanks Matt

[@barryhartshorne3277]

Hi Matt, really interesting video. Just out of interest, and I know what the general consensus is about this, when you did the VO2max test, how accurate was your watch to the actual lab test?

[@chucky1golf]

Million dollar question 👍

[@English.runner.en.Espana]

Banging video! Cheers for all the data!

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

The Coros arm strap is a game changer for training , I personally will still using my HRM pro for races as it can act like foot pods and measure distance when GPS signal is off (tunnels and tall buildings) but for day to day training the Arm band is brilliant as it is a little slower on the pick up you are not over /under compinsating when at the top of your required Zone

[@r_unner_G]

Really excellent Matt

[@jonathanwatkins447]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@rurlus]

Thanks Matt! I noticed the zones are slightly different than commonly seen in that LT2 is at max of Z3 rather than Z4. Curious what determines the ceiling of Z4 as Z5 is max VO2. Do you know the name of this zone system?

[@nrg_runs]

Loved this (even if you didn’t 😂). Did you end up going back to get a comparison? Good luck for Manchester on Sunday 💪🏼

[@Chris-dw3xl]

Great insight dude cheers 👍

[@justjustjoo]

Good economy is a bit of a double edged sword. On the other hand, it's great that you have good economy and you consume less O2 than most need at that speed. But at the same time, having a poor economy, but very high VO2max means you can WORK on your economy, to become even faster. With really good economy, your options is to get higher thresholds or improve the ceiling, VO2max.

[@ebrunner1315]

This look brutal! How many times did you ear get pricked?!

[@chucky1golf]

Them Alphaflys get some hammer 😊

[@mawilliams777]

Soooo much take in!

[@danielj347]

Awesome stuff!

[@DavidChapman-Jones]

All very interesting but it’s all done on a treadmill with the obvious statement that you’re running on a moving belt not resistance against a road, air and to a point gravity . How there can be any accuracy on running economy is very questionable; gait being different on a treadmill. I can see its place, but its relevance to athletic performance is debatable 😮. A bit of a money maker ! Good luck with the marathon 😊.

[@ianreid6495]

Could you do some fasted medium-long runs to boost fat burning?

[@josephgonzalez_]

More running first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to improve fat utilisation?

[@Danny-yk3vd]

Can anyone recommend somewhere in north west England to get this done?

[@bikeinmotion]

Is it just me that wonders why you have such high RPE? I guess you are not using /10 like stated in the headers but /20? Or how does 18/10 feel 🥴🥴

[@tonys6237]

Nottingham Trent has quoted me £195 for a VO2 Max and a speed-lactate test which will last approx 1.5 hours. Does this seem good?

[@michaelgriffiths305]

Tony, unless you can get it for free then that is an ok a price. You’d pay similar for a bike fit. I did several lab tests at Loughborough years ago (as a student) for free. I applied for one a couple of years ago but was advised my V02 was likely no longer high enough for the study based on my weight and wattage output. You are near enough to check Loughborough out too as their set up has capacity for many more studies. If your aspirations are competitive and you already stick in 12-15+ hours per week then the feedback from a lactate threshold if you can constructively use it and potentially self test again afterwards has great value. If you have a desire to know your V02 max then that’s ok too but if it’s exceptional (mid eighties) you’ll already probably know. Otherwise it’s a relative score you can positively impact but one genetically determined…. So then depends on what the plan is in utilising the information. My V02 improved significantly through a winter but the study involved a re test. Will you pay for a re test? …

[@tonys6237]

@@michaelgriffiths305 many thanks for your reply. according to my Garmin App my VO2 Max is 59, but I think my heart rate zones are not correct, so could be higher. It would be good for me to know my accurate heart rate zones so that I train more effectively. I recently did an Ancestry DNA test which revealed that I have a higher than average VO2 Max and that my heart rate recovers quickly. For the past 15 weeks I have been averaging 78 miles per week with only one rest day. I'm hoping this will pay off with a sub 3 hour time at Blackpool on the 21st. However,I must confess I haven't done much speed work

[@tonys6237]

​@@michaelgriffiths305 Thanks for your reply. According to my Garmin App, my VO2 Max is 59. I'm 46 years old but it could be higher because my heart rate zones don't seem to be accurate. You mention DNA and I recently did a DNA test with Ancestry which revealed that I have a higher than average VO2 Max and my heart rate recovers quickly. I am running the Blackpool Marathon on the 21st and I'm hoping for sub 3 hours. I have been averaging 78 miles per week for 15 weeks so hopefully it will pay off.

[@MidLifeRunner]

🙌🏼

[@dimitar297]

I would advise skipping the tests as the data is unreliable and the analysis of the data is bound to be flawed. Any conclusions afterwards won't be useful in any objective, testable way.