You are on to something, for I too face training in brutal hot humid summers. I found under such conditions, when the misery index (sum of dew point and temp in degF) is approaching and even exceeding 165, that I have to slow way down to keep the same HR. By feel is pretty-much out-the-window under those conditions, so I just slog along and kept HR low and in-check.
So that said, being an older guy in my 60’s, under those conditions, lactate is not as interesting or useful, and HR evaluation becomes a health safety check.
Interesting, thanks for sharing your anecdotes.
The dilemma is: when running a so-called lactate threshold workout under these harsh conditions, should a runner target a certain mmol/L, or a certain HR?
I don't know if they will be in line. I have had my HR creep up into 'threshold zone' during easy runs in the summer. Whether my lactate was also high or not, I have yet to experiment over the course of a year.
Interesting question you pose. Maybe an elevated heart rate due to supplying increased peripheral blood flow for purposes of cooling, engenders conditions of impaired tissue oxygenation that are different from increased lactate due to increased muscle anaerobic metabolism.
Interesting question you pose. Maybe an elevated heart rate due to supplying increased peripheral blood flow for purposes of cooling, engenders conditions of impaired tissue oxygenation that are different from increased lactate due to increased muscle anaerobic metabolism.
“Causes of Elevated Lactate Below are some common causes of lactic acidosis:Type A: Sepsis and septic shock: dysfunction in the microcirculation (where oxygen is exchanged) leads to lactate production, while decreased oxygen delivery contributes to a decrease in lactate clearance.”
Probably lactate becuase that is what determines if your muscles are working aerobically vs at threshold vs above threshold.
Rising lactate shows that you're making lactate (anaerobic metabolism). If it plateus then you are clearning the lactate at the same rate you are producing it.
If your lactate is rising then you are past the point of clearing lactate (not sustainable).
HR can be affected by temperature, emotions, etc. Lactate not as much (to my knowledge)
Probably lactate becuase that is what determines if your muscles are working aerobically vs at threshold vs above threshold.
Rising lactate shows that you're making lactate (anaerobic metabolism). If it plateus then you are clearning the lactate at the same rate you are producing it.
If your lactate is rising then you are past the point of clearing lactate (not sustainable).
HR can be affected by temperature, emotions, etc. Lactate not as much (to my knowledge)
That makes sense.
Actually I misplaced my last question. Lactate threshold workouts should intuitively and obviously be controlled by lactate levels.
What should be questioned is the so-called easy runs which are long enough to let HR creep into the so-called "threshold HR" or Zone 4 (in a five zones model). If one can and were to control these runs empirically, should they do it by HR or lactate?
Slowing down in hot/humid conditions to keep HR in Zone 2 can become mechanically absurd at times. This makes me wonder the efficacy of HR training (in these conditions).
I appreciate the science of running as much as anyone, but runners are not lab rats. You are there to run and race, to actually compete at some point.
The measuring gadgets are fine to use to back up what you are feeling in training or help guide the training, but at some point you just need to look at a stop watch and be done with it.
I'm not sure what value you bring into the discussion at hand.
Yes, running can be as simple as you want it to be, but there is no harm in using technology to better steer your training and optimize one's energy systems.
Also, not all of us are out there competing and racing high caliber runners. Some of us just value the power of data and that in itself is joyful and motivational.
No need to put others down just because they don't approach the sport the way you do.
Well said!
No matter your ability you certainly have the right to purchase the most up to date training tech gadgets, shoes, etc...But know this, in the end you still have to run. These devices will NOT make you run faster (shoes?). If you have the money and time to try and figure out a high tech training plan based on a lot of science then go for it. If you want a solid and reliable measuring stick to training I would start with a quality heart rate monitor (chest strap). The information gained from this simple device can provide ALL the necessary data you need to create a quality training program. Lactate meters, extensive testing, etc... can be useful but can also be useless if not applied and monitored correctly.
I have both the lactate plus and the arkray - Lactate Pro 2. My lactate Pro 2 reads extremely high compared to the Lactate Plus. I had it shipped from Europe (can't get it in the US as far as I know), I assume something happened during shipping process, that knocked the calibration way off. I wouldn't buy a Lactate Pro 2 if you're having it shipped, or not able to pick it up in person or return it in person. The other possibility is I have a bad batch of stripes.
I've worked with a variety of analyzers over the past 30 years and the only time I measured lactate over 20 mM was when we were infusing it at levels higher than that ( we did lactate uptake in dog hind limb). You would not be able to sustain repeat 3 min running bouts with lactates that high. Most trained endurance runners will get to 14 or 15 mM and that is about 3-5 min post maximal exercise. Middle distance will be a bit higher. If I am not mistaken, the upper measurement limit for the lactate pro is ~23 mM.
Three possible issues: 1. Bad analyzer 2. Bad strips (past expiration? and/or not stored appropriately (too cold or hot...) 3. Measurement error (highly unlikely, as most measurement errors would be low, not high) - if you squeeze too hard you will dilute the sample; if you don't wipe off the alcohol you will get an error reading; if you get sweat in the sample it will dilute the sample.
Likely issue 1 or 2 (my guess). My suggestion is to call the company and explain to them what you measured and ask them to help you trouble shoot your issue. They make the bulk of their money on selling the expendables so I am 99.99% sure that they will be more than willing to work with you and figure out your problem.
make sure you don't put too much blood on the strip. look up a video on how you do it, you don't need much blood at all. i was putting too much blood on my strip and getting values like you mentioned, but now it works fine.
Thanks for this post. I also have been having trouble getting accurate readings from my meter - same brand. If anyone has a link to a video about testing procedures to get more accurate results could they please post to hear, it would be much appreciated.
also, does anyone know why these devices are not sold within the United States? I’d also be curious to know where people are buying their test strips from as these also seem to be unavailable in United States
The company recommends soap and water before testing, wiping the first drop of blood off, and not squeezing out blood excessively.
You could also try calibrating and using the high and low control solutions.
Good luck and I hope you're able to get more accurate results. Although it's not absolutely necessary, it does provide useful data point that can be helpful in training and understanding your own physiology.
Just did a 15k run at 4:40 per km and was just curious about my lactate. Was super careful with the whole process and got 9.1 mmol/l. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong
Lactate Pro 2 is very hard to use yourself. Basically if the strip touches the skin the sample will read an absurd number. That's very easy to happen when you're testing yourself after an effort.
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