Drool Max test

a.k.a. adventures with VO2 max testing. I'm a little sad there aren't any pictures of myself to go a long with this post. You'll just have to use your imagination, haha.

A quick really, really basic review for those of you unfamiliar with a VO2 max test- there are various types of tests you can do (bike, treadmill, different protocols), but the concept is to determine the maximum amount of oxygen your body can consume while at work, and at what point your body goes from aerobic glycolysis (using oxygen) to anaerobic glycolysis (not using oxygen, and thus making that awesome stuff known as lactate that makes our calves and quads and whatever else scream at us with burning fiery pain, haha) The idea is that you can use this information to a) know how awesome you are at consuming oxygen so you can compare your numbers to Lance Armstrong, and b) use corresponding heart rates to determine proper training zones (if you are into the whole heart rate training methods).

Boy I hope I got that right, one of my professors reads this blog!

So for those of you who have been following for a little while now will remember, last semester I was given the opportunity to demonstrate a VO2 max test in my exercise physiology class. Of course, when my professor asked for a volunteer, I practically JUMPED up and down before anyone else could utter a breath...although I'm *pretty* sure you could have heard crickets chirping if not for my enthusiasm. Not a ton of people get giddy over the idea of the pushing yourself till you feel like puking on a treadmill in front of all of your peers. I am not obviously not one of those people! It was a great opportunity, and I was SO excited to take advantage of it. Long story short, after just a few minutes the test had to be called off because my heart rate just would not register on any of the monitors. The polar heart rate monitor strap was too big, and wouldn't stay put. I almost cried in class, I was so disappointed!

Fast forward to this semester. Coach Jeff wanted to gather my training heart rate zones, and I told him that I had access to doing a VO2 max test instead of doing a more basic, somewhat estimated calculations. And my awesome boss/lab coordinator/professor ordered a size small heart rate monitor strap. I asked to be tested, we set it up, and I was good to go for attempt #2 at my VO2 max test.

So anyway, for those of you unfamiliar with the test...you have to wear this big head piece that holds the mouth piece and tubes in place. Ours looks exactly like what this guy to your right is wearing. You shove a snorkel like mouth piece in your mouth that blocks any air from escaping, and then your nose is plugged. All of this breathing in and out of an open mouth that you can not close results in a lot of drool.

I knew you were wondering where the title of this post came in.

But have no fear! See the tiny little tube sticking down near his left pec? That is a spit trap. Part of my job at the lab includes cleaning other people's spit out of the spit trap. Yes spit trap is it's technical term (ok maybe not). Funny thing though...it seems my spit never made it to the spit trap.

I knew the test would be hard. I never imagine I would need a bib! After a few attempts at wiping my chin while running, I gave up and let the spit fly. Drool everywhere, down my chin, down my neck. All in the name of science and training right?

But back to the actual testing...I survived. Running with all of that stuff strapped to you really isn't as awkward as it looks, or first feels. You get used to it really quickly. And in my case, all of that plastic acted sort of like those blinders they put on horses to prevent them from getting spooked. It made me just zone out instead of focusing on the fact that I was about to be exhausted. And it was exhausting, and for a second I thought my lungs packed their bags and left me, but it wasn't nearly as horrible as some people make it out to be. Then again, I live for this sort of gut wrenching, breath stealing, endorphin producing stuff.

Looking back, I probably could have pushed just a *little* bit longer. The second I signaled that I was done, the words of a fellow endurance athlete friend rang through my mind. "when you feel like you can't go any further...hang on for 30 more seconds". Ah well. Next time!

For now, I have my numbers, which is what I had hoped for all along. ACSM ranks me as just barely excellent for my age/gender, but leaves me plenty of room for improvement. Watch out Lance Armstrong, I'm coming for you and your 85 mL/kg/min. Ok maybe not, but there's always room for improvement. Let's see if my genetics will allow for Superior status!

Happy running friends! Train hard, train happy, and get those VO2 max numbers up!