VQ Performance Test

I was pretty dissapointed I didn't make the interview process for the EVOTRI team. But after a day of sulking I started to move forward. I got in touch with Vision Quest Coaching and asked them about becoming a member. I've already been doing their Taste of VQ Swimming and Cycling classes so I'm very interested in what else they have to offer. They sent me information on their different levels of membership - getting access to their facilities, having a coach, having both, etc... With either level the first step is a performance test with Robbie Ventura. It's like paying a one time enrollment fee. I decided if I'm going to do Ironman then I should give it all I have rather than looking back afterward and wishing I had given more and performed better. So my VQ performance test was this morning.

We started with a good question and answer about my abilities, goals, how I rank myself in each dicipline, flexibility test, fat %, blood pressure. Robbie attached my bike to a trainer in the corner of his little office. Then he showed me a graph of my pedal stroke and complimented me on it. I always thought it was bad, guess not. He measured my knee and elbow angles and took a look at my bike position to make sure I looked ok.

After a brief warmup Robbie pricks my finger to test the lactate in my blood. I did a lactate threshold test in my cycling class a few weeks ago. I was last in the group with an LT at 184 watts. This was done by going all out for 40 minutes, not using the blood. So for about 20 minutes Robbie continues to prick my finger and increase the difficulty on the trainer. Robbie's a great motivator. He cheered me on as it started to wear me down. I was totally spent in the last 2 minutes working at 100%. In the end I was around 210 watts and a heart rate at 170. Either the classes once a week have already boosted my LT or riding infront of an athlete of Robbie's caliber helped me raise my performance.
After a little cool down I did a 30 second sprint. You'd think it would be easy since it was short. It was hell. Left me pretty queasy. Robbie showed me a graph of my LT and where it really started to build up in my blood. This gives me an idea of where I should be riding for Ironman Wisconsin, keeping a steady power and not taxing the muscles to a point where I can't recover. All the info he gathered will be sent to me in a packet in a few days. I know it will be invaluable.

The final step in the test was some strength and stability exercises. This is where Robbie pointed out all my flaws. I'm really weak in the hip flexors and in my balance, even with all the core stability and pilates classes I've been taking. He showed me some exercises I should do and some classes that they offer. And that was pretty much it. He was very attentive, he didn't wander off to do other things or take phone calls. All his focus was on me for 2 hours.

I've decided I'll join VQ at the member level which gets me access to all their facilites, classes, clinics, weekend runs and rides, and trips up to Madison to ride the Ironman course. I'm also paying a one time fee to have their top Ironman coach look over my training plan and give me some pointers on key workouts that will help me with the limiters that were discovered during today's test. The other membership levels were just too expensive.

I've gotten a lot out of the swimming and cycling classes I've been taking so I'm anxious to get involved in more of their offerings. They actually have a certification class you need to take before you can join their big group weekend rides. Which is good since I have no experience riding in a group.

Only 22 weeks to go!