This mornings workout was a VO2 MAX run. Yeah, it hurt. I used the Balke Test since it's the easiest to do on a treadmill. Last time I used the Mad Max method, but I really hate running inclines so nixed it. Essentially the idea is to see how far you can run in 15 minutes and then try to extrapolate how efficient your body is at processing oxygen. If you are able to derive your approximate Max VO2 then you will know the point at which your body begins to use more oxygen than it can absorb.
Great! This morning I ran 1.95 miles in 15 minutes and am still suffering the aftermath. So after a few quick calculations my magic number is 46.5 mls/kg/min. I'd like to take a moment to point out that this is excellent according the the chart on this page. So there you have it! Now what do I do with this number, you ask? I can use it to increase my speed and endurance by running at fractions of my Max VO2! Sounds tough, but I am so lazy that I'd rather a little time calculating this stuff rather than spending all of my time running to see slow increases.
freak...