Lactate Threshold vs Tempo Running - The SCIENCE of Training Zones

We have two important physiological barriers - one where lactate accumulates in the blood and a second where lactate production becomes exponential and unsustainable.
Finding our lactate threshold without a lab test or lactate meter can be done by completing a 30min TT at 95% best effort and taking the last 20min averages. This threshold can be used to set our zones, which we can use to control the specificity and effectiveness of our training.
Tempo refers to a metabolic steady-state lactate associated marathon intensity and can be achieved by running in zone 3.
Threshold refers to non-metabolic steady state lactate and is associated with 10km - half marathon (depending on ability) intensity and can be achieved by running in zone 4 in most five zone systems or zone 4 & 5 in most seven systems.
If you’re still confused? You can buy one of my done-for-you training plans that have all the workouts, zones, tests, and information you need to train for your next race - it’s as simple as pressing “do workout”.
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00:00 Intro
01:02 There are only 3 training zones
01:20 Aerobic training zone
01:32 How to measure TEMPO
02:10 First ventilatory threshold
02:35 Tempo training mistakes
03:48 How to measure THRESHOLD
05:10 Threshold test at home
05:38 Why a 30min test?
06:19 Zone Three TEMPO
06:45 Zone Four Sub-Threshold
07:19 Zone Five Above Threshold
07:45 Recap

LINKS

#lactate #running #marathontraining

[matheusaugustocampospires]

I heard about this time trial "indirect" test a while ago... I've used the zones prescribed by the test for a while, and, for my surprise, I recently done a lab lactate threshold test that confirmed this method is incredibly accurate.

I essentially didn't need to change much of my zones after the test, it served more as a confirmation. Great vid, looking forward to watch more of your content!

[cristobal.palmero]

Zone 3 tempo is where most people feel mechanically comfortable running

[miguelalonsoperez]

Generally tempo marathon paces cover quite good the middle of LT1-LT2 interval, as an amateur runner and physiotherapist I prefer this pace from going directly into 95-100% LT2 intensity.

My argument to doing this is that slower tempo training is apparently as effective as “threshold” pace (quotes are used because a threshold is a mathematical ideal line so one can just be below or above) and less prone to musculoskeletal issues.

For example, 2 x 20 min at marathon pace is quite exhaustive on controlling pH and reuptake lactate, and being secure you’re not generating any excess you will pay further in the week training. And in my experience as useful as half marathon pace when training for 10 k or longer races.

I’m actually training for 10k and do 2 x 20 MT once a week, two weeks and then 8 x 1000 10k pace the third week, that covers quite good LT training and race pace in an actual 80/20 method.

In the past I used to train faster and my results were poorer and fatiguing: of course may vary from one to another person, but at lest for people over 40 years probably is a good idea to avoid “on threshold” runs, or above 10 k pace except for very little sporadic dosages

[goodynz]

Nice vid Will. Like the zones system & breakdown. Have been running a 6 zone system for the last few years, very similar to this in fact. Find it so much easier to differentiate target race efforts as well. Keep that great content coming :)

[hikerJohn]

This is a good video . . . last time I watched a video explaining this it was an hour long but it was talking about a lot of other stuff as well but short and sweet is better. I cant remember ever getting to a point where I could not talk even at a HR of 183 so maybe my Max HR is higher than I think but because I'm 69 I dont want to try too hard to find out if it's much above 183. But I might try and find out when I'm feeling good.

[Kurio]

I have seen tempo training described as Zone 3 and LT training as Zone 4

[colindittmer.]

Some more feedback on your threshold test.
Running hard for 30 minutes (90 to 95%) is vague and could be deemed leaving more questions than answers.
A newbie might think they are at 90% when they are at 65%.
That's ok, they are unlikely to end up overtraining but they could also under achieve.
An old hand miight be so used to thrashing themselve's into the ground (which I am pretty good at) that their 90 - 95% could actually be 98 to 99% conversly digging themselve's a deeper hole by using this protocol.

[dionblundell]

That’s useful thanks. One bit of advice. If you breath a little more between sentences, it will make it easier and smoother when you cut things out as you edit together your clips

[degs]

Just discovered your channels and videos… it is great as I m tiring to figure it out! Keep out the good work!

[EMTobias]

My only problem with your HR zones is that you use 7 zones and most watches only can handle 5. Therefore, I would need to combine zones. Any suggestions concerning the breakdown?

[sageata]

I have yet to see a mapping between those 3 zones and the 7-zone system, used by Joe Friel - just an example.

[yeahhhhh]

Thank you Doc for the nice talking.. very helpful, accurate info, real facts, science, specific numbers, field tests... finally someone that really knows what he's talking about, not just blah blah like most of the running gurus on the web. you really deserve a subscription to your channel! i have a question: i have been running for 3 years, my 10 k pb is around 42 minutes, i average 2-3 runs a week -20-30 km max, but in summer i also practice cycling 4 to 5 hours a week.. Now i'm preparing for a half marathon, and i'm planning to increase my mileage from 25-30 to 40-45 km x week; how much do you think i can improve my endurance performance by doing so ?

[txc]

It is so easy identify ~experts out here who do not run because all they do is spout on buzz words and tell you to go well past the heart rate most of us can actually carry a pace at ...

[andrewbell]

Timely video - was just doing one of your 30min hilly tempo runs this morning :) Having spent the last 6-12 months using MAF heart rate I think my legs have got used to moving slowly. Bit of a shock pushing the HR into zone 3 :)

[tommoore]

So is LT1 marathon effort pace, and LT2 10k effort pace?

[gerard]

The method of determining the lactate threshold is quite subjective and therefore inaccurate. People do not feel the difference between 95% or 90% of 88% of best effort. They may think they do and then train wrong for years.

[RUN-SC]

Thank you for the video. Arthur Lydiard appeared to be a big fan of marathon intensity which he also called aerobic threshold or steady running. I read in one of his books that he favors it to lactate threshold (at least in base training) because it is less demanding on the body and that you can actually increase your lactate threshold from below by doing this steady running. What are you thoughts on this?

[RafaFrBr]

I have Vt1, Crosspoint Co2/O2, Vt2 and Vo2Max thresholds, from Ergospirometry. From your explanation, my tempo runs would be between Vt2 and sub VO2MAX points? Or, between Co2/O2 crosspoint and Vt2?

[User]

Really great Video thanks💪🏼
Did you sometimes mix up the 5 Zone and the 3 Zone Model?
„Tempo does not feel mich harder then your Zone 2“. I guess there you are refering to the Zone 2 of 5, and not to the Graphic you showed with the 3 Zone model, right?

[Ben-ywbe]

Dr. Will, for the half marathon, would 10k tempo session and 10k threshold session be good as quality sessions based on the content of this video?