Physiology First: Navigating a “Red Light” Morning with AlphaHRV
Physiology First: My Red Light Recovery Ride This morning was a masterclass in why I apply a Physiology First framework to every session, looking at the internal engine before I look at the wattage. Between a late meal and the devastating news about my friend Murray being struck by a motorist—suffering a serious […]
Decoding the Hard-Start: How Ronnestad Intervals Impact Garmin Stamina & Training Effect
The “Hard-Start” Evolution: Pushing the Limits of the Rønnestad Protocol Testing the Ronnestad Hard-Start Intervals protocol this week provided a fascinating look at oxygen kinetics and internal load. Before this session, I attempted to link my VO2 Master to the phone for a full metabolic calibration. Despite several attempts, the mask simply wouldn’t handshake. Rather […]
Living in the Parabolas: My Deep Dive into the “VO2 State”
Living in the Parabolas: Decoding Metabolic Inertia and the Billat 90/90 In our last deep dive, we dissected the steady-state grind of 5×3 and 4×8 intervals. Those workouts are the bread and butter of threshold development. However, today we are stepping into the “red zone” to explore Veronique Billat’s 90/90 Metabolic Inertia. Using the combined […]
Physiological Threshold Vs. FTP: The Power Illusion
The Power Illusion: Resetting 20 Years of Training with Physiological Data After 20 years of cycling, I realized my FTP wasn’t telling the whole story of my actual physiological threshold. My identity as a cyclist was defined by a single, flickering number on a head unit: Watts. If you’ve spent any significant time in the […]
VO₂max Intervals: The Most Misunderstood Workout in Cycling—And How to Do Them “Right”
VO2Max State vs. Zone: What’s Happening Under the Hood https://youtube.com/shorts/gjB6seZEVec?feature=share I recently started using my VO₂Master again. In this session, I wanted to explore the VO2max state vs zone debate by looking at the actual physiological cost of high-intensity efforts. Earlier this week, I performed five separate 3-minute intervals at an intensity well above […]
The Moxy SmO₂ Sensor: What It Is, How It Works, and How It Makes You Faster
Unlock the secrets of your muscles with the Moxy SmO₂ sensor! Gain real-time insights into your muscle oxygen levels during every ride, allowing you to train smarter and recover better. Say goodbye to guesswork as you monitor your SmO₂ alongside power and heart rate. Whether refining endurance or mastering recovery, this tool optimizes your performance. Harness the power of SmO₂ and elevate your cycling game—your body will thank you!
Vo2Max and Heart Health – A Single Ride Following Dr. Paddy Barrett’s Formula
Vo2Max and Heart Health Correlation With DFAA-1 and other Metrics I recently stumbled across a Substack post by Dr. Paddy Barrett that explains how Vo2Max is impacted by low intensity exercise. While I had not known about Dr. Barrett previously, when I read his history and other posts, I became intrigued. I think he’s a […]
The Physiological Perspective of Four Separate 8-Minute Intervals
8-Minute Intervals At “Threshold”… In late November of 2024, I was able to perform an interval session on my indoor trainer and bike with my clients. The workout comprised of four separate 8-minute intervals. We used the VQ Velocity app, and I recorded each interval as a separate file while wearing my Vo2Master Gas Exchange […]
Affirming DFAA-1 Aerobic Base With Vo2Master and Moxy
A New Calculation Uses Heart Rate Variability to Better Tune DFAA-1 I’ve been a big fan of Dr. Bruce Rogers, since 2017. He is a trained MD, but publishes his work in credentialed journals. As a Masters’ level road cyclist, he knows how important heart health is. He is also fully aware of the cardiac […]
Vo2Max and Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking Requires Riding at Vo2Max! CAUTION – THIS POST IS NERD-HEAVY! IT IS DEEP IN THE WEEDS! DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! Ever since I received my Vo2Master back from my friend and code buddy in Canada, I have been collecting data on inside and outside rides. Not long ago, I rode two […]