[JDT]

A couple years ago I did a 1 hr track AeT test.  At HR 150, my decoupling was about 2%.  The pace felt comfortable but definitely a bit harder than conversational.  My AnT is about 160, so I don’t think I have ADS.

I do quite a bit of uphill trail/mountain running and Skimo/touring etc. Hence a lot of vertical. I have not formally tested in quite some time.

A couple of days ago,  I did my first treadmill session in about 3 years (awful weather).  It felt like a pretty easy session.  I warmed up for about 15 minutes and then upped the pace a bit.  I ran at incline of 3.5 with avg HR around 130 for about 45minutes.  I looked at my decoupling for this 45 min session and it was 4%, which would suggest my AeT is around 130.

Today I felt well rested, and the weather was great so I went out to the track to do another 1hr AeT test.  I targeted 143-145 and I successfully stayed pretty close to the target HR the entire time.  My decoupling was only 1.4%.  This pace felt comfortable but definitely not conversational.  I could probably keep this going for quite some time. Only minor fatigue in my calves which aren’t used to running flat and fast.  This test would suggest my AeT is closer to 150.

I am wondering if the slight treadmill incline is in part the reason for these discordant results.  The treadmill session did not feel difficult, and the incline was not very steep.  But this lends the question if uphill athletes should be testing their AeT on hills where more ME requirements factor into HR.

For the record, I used the same chest strap HR monitor for both sessions.  Thanks

[Scott Johnston]

JDT:  Great question. Sorry to be slow responding. It has been a very busy month at Evoke.

A couple of things:  Treadmill speeds are notoriously off unless they are lab quality like a Woodway.  My Nordic Track incline trainer is off by over 10% at all inclines. The last time I checked it when it read 10 min/mile, it was actually 8:45/mile.    YOu may have been running faster than you thought.

Secondly, the 3.5% incline could have made a difference, although I normally only see big differences in the drift tests when the incline is steep.  Steep is relative for each individual.  You will have to determine that for yourself.

I hope that helps.

Scott

 

 

 

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