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Second-guessing my AeT
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Hey Scott, hope you’re doing well: I have a question about my aerobic threshold:
About two weeks ago, I did a 60 minute flat AeT field test to determine my aerobic threshold. I ran the hour with an average HR of 157 bpm and saw a Pa:Hr of 3.98% in TrainingPeaks. I’ve also done a 30 minute AnT field test recently with an average HR of 172 bpm. So, according to these numbers, my AnT/AeT difference is 9 percent and I’m not aerobically deficient.
However, I’ve also done two flat long runs recently in Zone 1. The first was 140 minutes long with an average HR of 133 and a Pa:Hr of 7.47% and the second was 120 minutes long with an average HR of 130 bpm and a Pa:Hr of 4.45%. I tried to regularly breathe through my nose during those two flat long runs, which was okay for about a minute, but then it felt uncomfortable.
Seeing those numbers (and the subjective nose breathing feeling), I kind of doubt that 157 bpm is my real aerobic threshold and that I’m not aerobically deficient. Would you agree?
Some more background info: I’m currently trying to improve my running on flat terrain, since I’ve mostly spent my training time on mountaineous terrain the last three years. I’ve also done those two flat long runs (as well as the AeT field test) quite rested.
If you find the time to read this, thanks in advance! I highly appreciate it.
I’d just second what’s being said here so would be interested in Scott’s (Evoke) take — I can run higher bpm in low 150’s and have Pa:Hr < 5% , in fact close to 1.0%. However nose breathing is difficult to sustain for an entire hour or so.
So my added question to this: is nose breathing a requirement threshold for AeT?
Matthew: Nose breathing is definitely NOT required for Z2 running. For many people, nose breathing is hard to pull off due to restrictions. While ‘ventilation’ is a great indicator of AeT it is best done in a lab using a gas exchange test.
dbroman: When you get over 2 hours you will likely see a more significant HR drift due to dehydration and an increase in core temp. So, I would not be too concerned over those drift numbers.
I hope this helps,
Scott
Ok thank you Scott – I’ll keep trying in this low 150s range, definitely feel the breathing change right about then so it must be close.
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