dsrunner wrote:
On the other hand, threshold tests are outdated and simplistic thinking.
Nebulous at best, moronic at worst.
Aside from the conceptual shortcomings, protocol influences especially, the 'threshold' is always arbitrarily defined and always ignores the non-steady state slow component in VO2 kinetics. A threshold parameter can be measured as slower but racing performance still improved. Moreover, there is the inadvertent assist in treadmill running at high speeds, especially under the optimal testing conditions, to minimize heat build-up.
Certainly, Mills, Keino, Moorcroft, McChesney, Musyoki, Gebresalassie and Lagat trained quality, as many top endurance athletes prefer running faster to slower.
They are absolutely not outdated, if anything they aren't used enough.
The Kenyans train on their threshold, naturally, for the most part.
All the Ingebrigtsens do treshold training. American temporuns are treshold training.
A good treshold obviously doesn't correlate with improved performance. An improved performance consists of several factors. It also depends greatly on the distance you're racing. Though, you won't be able to race a marathon for example withouth a great treshold pace.
Of course the measured treshold pace isn't equal to outside running, its equal to the other tests. E.g, you measure 3.00 as your treshold pace, then you'll have to run a few seconds slower when doing 1k repeats outside on a track, obviously.
Keino did treshild training, Lagat did, Gebresalassie did.