EDITOR’ S LETTER
NO MIDDLE GROUND
PHOTOGRAPH OAKPICS
WHAT’ S YOUR VO2 MAX? It’ s a question most runners ask at some time. I have mixed feelings about the number, because once we learn how much oxygen our bodies can process we can feel limited by our genetically inherited engines. Tim Noakes tested mine when I was 22 and, honestly, from that day on, I accepted a limit on my potential.
On the one hand, while I love to push myself in races, the acceptance that I won’ t reach the level of those with VO2 max scores double mine has been calming in my sustainable approach to endurance sport. My 40 years of racing and consistent training has been motivated by health and the sheer joy of exploring the great outdoors, high on lifestress-curing endorphins. On the other hand, this mental dampener on reaching for the stars has reduced my efforts to maximise my potential. As coach Fred Richardson explains( p48), there’ s much more to understand about your number.
What has made a deeper impression on me is that, despite years of exercising around 10 hours a week, I’ ve increasingly neglected my anaerobic workouts – those all important sessions we know build true speed and strength. Why bother, I thought – I won’ t win races and long, mellow, flower-smelling runs are lekker. After a recent follow-up VO2 test, an industry colleague who I hold in high regard, Dr Michael Mol, mentioned that VO2 max is the key number when it comes to extending healthspan. The penny dropped. Hill sprints, track sessions and gym work build lean muscle mass through cardiovascular stress. Running for hours on end does a good job with blood flow, posture and deep breathing for around half an hour, thereafter it only breaks down muscle and wears out joints. It made complete intuitive sense to me that a strong body survives longest, and I don’ t intend to stop working or running until I’ m at least 80. The reality is that we cannot neglect anaerobic workouts and strength if we wish to live longer independent lives.
The subject of healthspan brings me to the next critical factor: the allimportance of recovery. Just as there are cycles in training between anaerobic lactate-threshold busters and long, slow zone 2 cruisers, there have to be deep calming lows between the stressful highs of endurance training. We don’ t get stronger by training; we grow stronger when resting after training. The rebuild matters most.
In the Seychelles, motivated by exploring our beautiful planet.
“ THE REALITY IS WE CANNOT NEGLECT ANAEROBIC WORKOUTS AND STRENGTH IF WE WISH TO LIVE LONGER INDEPENDENT LIVES”
The problem with us A-type individuals is that we tend to squeeze the juice out of every aspect of life. Why sleep in or take a rest day when you can manage another run and get in another meeting before heading to a cool new venue for drinks? There’ s lots to do and we reckon that calf niggle will pass with an anti-inflammatory. Rest is like that lunch with the in-laws you keep putting off. Then, just like that, serious injury or illness sneaks up and recovery is no longer a choice. The reality is that your body feels the stress and gets more and more out of sync until you consistently mix in rehab, rest, veggies, sleep and fluids. There’ s no cutting corners here.
So we decided to do a deep dive into the science of recovery this issue. Chiropractor and runner Dr Jesse Roberts has a pragmatic attitude, and we asked him to help us navigate the maze of recovery tools available to runners today( p66). Another endurance bunny is dietitian Maryke Gallagher, who explains why many influencer-hyped nutrition cures are a waste of money( p116). If like me you’ re seeking a source of reason to trust your gut, these features are the tonic you need.
With our bodies prepped and minds at ease, we headed back out there. We experienced massive FOMO putting together this 148- page readathon, especially when fellow Saffas sent us their reports of running through history in Rome, between beer stations in Belgium, and through the gorgeous Julian Alps in Slovenia. We’ ve got rich descriptions of island runs on Seychelles and St Helena too, plus loads of other road and trail races you’ ll want to add to your calendar.
There’ s a whole lot more to absorb, too, including George Kusche’ s story of his recordbreaking Comrades( p38). Coach Matt Trautman wasn’ t far behind him and uses his narrow 6:01“ fail” to advise you how to pace the 90km( p128). Meanwhile, Stuart Mann explains why Comrades walked away from KZN Athletics( p146), and why this may have saved our greatest race, which is set to be huge in 2027.
We hope you enjoy some offline time devouring this edition and that it inspires you to keep moving forward, at your own pace, enjoying every glorious sunrise that we are privileged to experience in one of the best countries to run on earth.
Please send us feedback and suggestions on how we can improve your reading experience: paul @ electricink. co. za @ runmagsa
Get more news & views at bikeruntri. co. za
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE | 17