By Coach John Hughes We all know what lactate is – it causes the burn in our legs. However, physiologists differ in what they call it, how to measure it and how to use it: lactate threshold, anaerobic threshold, ventilatory threshold, onset of blood lactic acid (OBLA), etc. You don’t need a Ph.D. to understand it all, nor do you need to be confused. … [Read more...] about Why Your Lactate Threshold May Be Irrelevant
Coach John Hughes
How Much Should You Train to Get Faster Cycling?
By Coach John Hughes How much should you train as a cyclist? The answer: Probably not as much as you think. My friend and fellow cycling coach Neal Henderson says that 65% of the athletes he sees train too much, 25% train too little and 10% get it right – the pros who are paid to perform. Henderson is the head of Apex Coaching and was named the 2009 USA Cycling Coach … [Read more...] about How Much Should You Train to Get Faster Cycling?
The Week Off: Finding Balance Between Training and Recovery
By Coach John Hughes I’ve been cross-country skiing for 13 weeks and having a blast! I’ve done four races and met or exceeded my goals each time. I’m skiing better than I have in years! Winter started early in Colorado, and I was on the snow in the middle of November. After months of great conditions we now have temps in the 40s in the mountains. The … [Read more...] about The Week Off: Finding Balance Between Training and Recovery
Staying Fit For Life
By Coach John Hughes At age 66 I’ve been a roadie for almost two-thirds of my life. When I had my annual physical last year I told my doctor his job was to keep me riding for (at least) another 20 years. When I started riding in my 20s, each summer friends and I would load our panniers with camping gear and take off for a week or two of touring in the Sierra Nevada … [Read more...] about Staying Fit For Life
Vitamin D Alone Is Not A Wonder Nutrient For Bones
By Coach John Hughes A Wall Street Journal article titled Elite Athletes Try a New Training Tactic: More Vitamin D garnered a lot of attention on one of the randonneuring chat lists I frequent. The article discussed how some college and pro sports teams "think the nutrient may help players avoid injury, among other benefits." While it's an interesting topic, to … [Read more...] about Vitamin D Alone Is Not A Wonder Nutrient For Bones