[SeaHodg]

Scott,

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a thorough reply. Overall, I accept your point that there is a necessary reduction in detail to generate any useable model. You’re right, the Cori cycle and lactate oxidation by the heart are probably unnecessary details for the purpose of endurance training. I think that stuff is interesting. But, is it terribly useful as part of a rationale for training? Probably not. I will maintain, however, that acknowledging the creatine-phosphate system as a component of anaerobic metabolism and the capacity for aerobic oxidation of carbohydrate via glycolysis (i.e., without producing lactate) are important distinctions include. I don’t believe I mentioned the latter in my previous comment. Nevertheless, I think it could explain discrepancies between the cross-over point of %Carb vs. % Fat oxidation and VT1/Aerobic threshold (something I’ve observed in myself and seen discussed on the forum), and be useful to understanding the nature of someone’s aerobic development or lack thereof. That’s my own speculation though.

I’ll also accept that for endurance, particularly in the time domains of most mountain adventures, the cardiac adaptations may be of slightly lesser importance than the metabolic ones. In one of your book club lectures you mentioned that endurance is a metabolic trait (I’m paraphrasing). I found this position challenging at first, but I’m coming around to it. Whether in a 100m sprint or a 100 mi race, the ability to slow down less (endure) will be largely determined by the efficiency of energy production. I’d still like to acknowledge the vascular adaptations because O2 delivery will affect that efficiency and the ability to shuttle lactate. But, to your point, does that really change the objective and the nature of training? Probably not. Getting sufficient volume of lower intensity aerobic activity remains the prescription.

Anyway, thanks again for the reply and the content you and Evoke team generate. I’m relatively new to your training methods, but I’m enjoying learning (even if it triggers some disagreement). I hope at least some of the points I’ve raised were constructive and I look forward to future exchanges as additional questions arise.

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