[johnnylo245]

For the better part of the year I have been pursuing low intensity training to correct my ADS and have seen pretty reasonable success raising my AeT. Much of my training has consisted of running on flat terrain or walking on gradual hills.

I have noticed that despite my gains in raising my AeT (to 130), my heart rate still rapidly rises above my AeT when skinning, hiking, or running on steeper/more technical terrain.

My question is: what quantities (muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, strength?) govern this and should I modify my training towards that quantity in order to see improvement on steeper ground? Or should I be patient and continue to accumulate low intensity vertical training load?

Topic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on March 25, 2020 at 9:36 pm #39838

Hey Johnny,

Strength, strength, strength. While your aerobic capacity is quite likely improving well on the flatter terrain workouts, you’re still imposing a greater load when you head uphill and against gravity. More components of the muscles must come into play than on flat ground, and those new components are likely not as aerobically-capable and there are also fewer of them than ideal.

Make sure you progress through a comprehensive strength program: begin with a general phase of 3x 12reps of some basic prime mover exercises: squats, deadlifts, box steps, split bench squats, etc. Then move into max strength (4x 4-5reps, etc) and finally muscular endurance. All the while, continue increasing your time spent on uphill terrain WHILE minding your AeT limit. You’ll see the HR stabilize and your economy (i.e. speed) improve, no doubt.

Good luck!
Sam.