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Hi Gordo,

Are LT1, FatMax, LT2, and VO2max the 4 key breakpoints? And of course they differ by event: swim, bike, run, etc.

Thanks

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Dan,

Given your background, I think you'll do best to think of transitions across our bioenergetic systems.

Good video on that...

https://youtu.be/VcYyHXHTeuk?si=btDgbMBmYddGILRy

What can make this discussion challenging is the transitions are dynamic - not only across modes of exercise but across time & conditions. So the breakpoint are moving all the time.

The point I track most closely is LT1 - as it shows me an effort/intensity, beyond which, stress is going to increase. It's also easy to track accurately.

Fatmax, LT2 and VO2max either need a met cart or are estimated. Tougher for me to build a profile of them. Even when I had a met cart at home, we wouldn't track as often as an LT1 check-in.

That said, for long duration endurance events, fatmax (poor/average/good) is useful to guide training and race pacing. The metabolic testing is a useful check and will give a look at LT1/FatMax/LT2/VO2max as well as VT1/VT2 and other data that can be useful.

With all this stuff, bring it back to John's Subjective Perception Chart which simplifies our thinking.

g

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Thanks for those. I loved your breakdown of how you applied your own real-life bioenergetics to your “A race” triathlon in France: the training, the course, and the race segments.

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