Scott McMillan : Endurance Junky

Cool post on the Final Sprint about heart size and endurance:
What laboratory test is the best predictor of finishing times for a running race of 100 kilometers (62 miles), or more than twice the distance of a marathon)? A study from Yokohama, Japan suggests that it is an echocardiogram to measure the size of […]

Well I am officially in “Base Training Mode” so I found this article interesting:
Another training concept that should be considered during base training is the decreased need for specificity. While it is important to do most of your training triathlon-specific in the pre-competition and in-competition phase, the base phase is the best […]

There is a good post on Procycling.com about the UCI plans to introduce DNA testing.
The UCI’s plan to introduce DNA testing among ProTour teams has been met with a mixed response from the riders. Last week, the professional teams association (AIGCP) headed by Patrick Lefévère voted to go ahead with DNA testing to fight doping, […]

Wow this could provide quite a boost to your endurance. From Gizmodo:
Oxycyte is a new artificial blood that can absorb 50 times the oxygen of normal blood. Sure, synthetics still aren’t good for organs in the long term, but we’ll be getting those pesky space holders removed soon enough. We need more room for the […]

Excercise good for you? I don’t believe it.
“Fitness prompts nerve cells to multiply, strengthens their connections, and protects them from harm. Benefits seem to extend to brains and nerves that are diseased or damaged. These findings could suggest new treatments for people with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries.”
Read Article.

According to this paper humans cannot get much faster:
Are there limits to running world records?
Nevill AM, Whyte G.
Research Institute of Healthcare Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Midlands, United Kingdom. a.m.nevill@wlv.ac.uk
PURPOSE: Previous researchers have adopted linear models to predict athletic running world records, based on records recorded throughout the 20th century. These linear models imply […]

Very Interesting paper on the physiology of Lance Armstrong.
J Appl Physiol. 2005 Jun;98(6):2191-6. Epub 2005 Mar 17.
Improved muscular efficiency displayed as Tour de France champion matures.
Coyle EF.
Human Performance Laboratory, Dept. of Kinesiology and Health Education, Bellmont Hall 222, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. coyle@mail.utexas.edu
This case describes the physiological maturation from […]

Interesting article on the practice of “Crash Training”. This is basically bumbing up the volume of high quality workouts for several days leading into a race, very risky but if it works I guess you may have a very good race. Full article here:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0236.htm

Great article on Runners World explains why building up the lactate in workouts is a good thing.
Enduring Questions: Is Lactic Acid Really Such a Bad Thing?

Interesting article that discusses the results of a study on runners who used tempo workouts vs a group who used interval workouts. The difference in times are quite dramatic, read the article for more info.
10k training: What does science have to say about the right training programme for the 10K?