does your vo2 max have a max?

Summer of Malmo. EOT.

Can you have a VO2 max of infinity? If not, your VO2 max has a max.

I was going to make a disparaging remark about your mother, but at the last second decided not to. You're welcome.

Why worry about vo2 max? Having a superhigh vo2max doesn't necessarily equate with superior running times because it is weight dependent. You could lose 5 lbs and have your vo2 max improve but that doesn't mean you will run faster if you lost weight because of poor food intake. Technically vo2 max does have a limit but it would be different for everyone. Kilian jornet has the highest vo2 max i have heard of and it is reported to be 96 if i am not mistaken. I would assume most collegiate cross runners are in the 60's. I went to a division II school and did some ex phys research on xc runners and most were in the 50's. You can have a huge aerobic capacity but not have great leg speed..

Seconded. My VO2max was tested at 84, but I have only run 52/1:52/3:45/14:00. There are many more factors that influence your ability to run fast. I wish I had some more of them.

voiceofreason wrote:

Why worry about vo2 max? Having a superhigh vo2max doesn't necessarily equate with superior running times because it is weight dependent. You could lose 5 lbs and have your vo2 max improve but that doesn't mean you will run faster if you lost weight because of poor food intake. Technically vo2 max does have a limit but it would be different for everyone. Kilian jornet has the highest vo2 max i have heard of and it is reported to be 96 if i am not mistaken. I would assume most collegiate cross runners are in the 60's. I went to a division II school and did some ex phys research on xc runners and most were in the 50's. You can have a huge aerobic capacity but not have great leg speed..

Forget the swimming and other "aerobic" cross training. You want running specific aerobic development not general aerobic development and that will only come from actual running.

No sense building up the strength, size and capillary density in muscle fibers you do not use specifically in running. Instead spend more time running.

Also the whole idea that doing intervals in the summer will disrupt your peak in the season is silly. Modern training theory states that you should include all forms of running training at all times during the year just change the frequency on which each is worked depending on where in your training cycle you are.

You won't improve your absolute VO2 max. It just won't happen. If you are already in good shape, then you have reached your genetic limit. What you need to work on is speed endurance baby.

I don't know where you are coming from or where you are going, but here's my thoughts.If you have been training significantly, your VO2max will "max out" quite quickly. This shouldn't be your main concern entering into college (or ever), and won't be your main weakness. It would be better to develop endurance (long runs, high mileage) and stamina (tempo runs).Erging, swimming and biking? Why not? It can burn fat, without building too much muscle mass, and can be mentally refreshing. But if you want to run cross-country, your main focus should be cross-country training. If you want to compete in triathlons, then swimming and biking become more important. I don't know when, if ever, erging is important.

going to college wrote:

So lately I have been experimenting with aerobic cross training to supplement my running. I erg, swim, and bike, to try to build a larger vo2 max. I'm going to college next year, so I want as large of a vo2 max as I possibly get going into my first college xc season. I know that banging out intervals over the summer could potentially disrupt when I peak during the season, but would banging out a 2k on the erg or a 500 in the pool effect my running peak? Do my lungs peak or just my muscles?

Thank you for anyone who offers good advice.