As part of Epic's Fab 5, this week I had a gait and strike analysis performed at Fleet Feet in Altamonte Springs and had my VO2 Max tested at Zenery in Winter Garden. The gait analysis is very cool. They have a video at the back of the tread mill which videos your feet, ankles and calf as you run. They will play back the video in slow motion and analyze your strke for any biomechanical issues lke supronation and pronation. The folks at Fleet Feet will then fit you with the proper shoes and, if necessary, inserts. I am a neutral runner with mild supronation. They put me in the Mizuno Inspire 4 with blue SuperFeet inserts. They feel great. I recommend the gait and strike analysis for anyone experiencing foot or leg pain while running...it can really help.

VO2 Max was tested at Zenergy in Winter Garden. They hook you up to a machine with a face mask that you breathe into and a HR monitor while riding a stationary bike. They slowly increase your cadence and bike tension to increase your HR and breathing. The test lasts about 15 minutes and at the end you are giving it everything you've got and feeling like your heart will explode. The computer then measures your cardio strength by analyzing your Aerobic Threshold, Anaerobic Threshold, Heart Rate, and VO2 Max. My peak VO2 Max was 55.6 and HR Max was 161 bpm. This is considered a superior fitness level for my age. One issue for me was that I began burn protein, rather than fat, when my HR crossed 90 bpm. Apparently, this is not efficient..it is better to burn fats for a longer period before you start to burn protein. If you burn protein too early you start to produce lactate and lose endurance. It is uncertain whether this situation is the result of my metaholic disorder (diabetes), or has more to do with nutrition or training issues.

I've been following the training plan developed for me by Team Hendrix. Yesterday called for a 25 mile bike on hills, followed by 2000 meter swim, and because I missed my run the previous day, I also ran for 30 mins. and then did a series of strides, lunges, butt kicks and knee lifts. I did make my first mistake during training...I forgot to take my glucose test kit with me when I started on the bike. By the time I realized it, I was already 10 miles out. That morning by BS was 212. I had injected 4 units of Humalog and ate a large bowl of Cherrios with a banana and peach. I took Heed sports drink with me on the bike. When you don't have your test kit...you're flying blind. When you experience a performance issue, you are never certain whether it is due to a glucose issue or something else. Anyway, I rode to Sugarloaf and did a series of repeats and felt pretty good. I then rode to the NTC to do my swim workout. Prior to the swim I ate an energy bar by Odwalla, swam 4 x 500s breathing every 3rd, then 4th, then 5th stroke each 50 meters. I then rode home and tested my BS which was 64, a bit hypoglycemic. I ate lunch, relaxed for a bit and then tested my BS again before the run. My BS was now 168. I ran down the trail and 19 minutes out began to feel hypo. I stopped and checked my glucose (I now had my test kit in my fanny pack) and it was 50. It had fallen from 168 to 50 in just 19 minutes. I ate an AccelGel, about 100 calories and pressed on to the finish. Tomorrow I run 1 hour and then bike for 1 hour.