How to Improve the 3 Running Thresholds (Z2, LT, and VO2 Max), with Phil Batterson, PhD

Today on the podcast I have Phil Batterson, a competitive runner, former running coach, and the founder of Critical Oxygen. Phil has a PhD in human bioenergetics and a love for all sorts of endurance sports, from rowing to track and field and ultras. His goal with Critical Oxygen is to teach athletes and coaches how to optimize their physiology to maximize endurance performance.

Phil breaks down some of the complex physiology behind the three different thresholds to make it more accessible, as well as providing practical ways to apply it in training. Some of our discussion includes:

• Phil's journey into endurance training and exercise science
• What physiology defines each of the three thresholds
• How runners can determine their own thresholds
• The importance of lactate threshold work for race preparation
• Common mistakes when using training zones
• How to integrate VO2 max work with cross training

Whether you like to geek out on physiology or just want to race faster, you'll learn a lot from my conversation with Phil!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow Phil on Instagram
• Check out the Critical Oxygen podcast and blog
• Let me help you get the most out of your training

Thank you MOBO Board!

Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that's set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly!

Even if you're a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You'll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it's not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength.

I was just at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.

Thank You AG1!

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I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They've made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do.

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