I struggle with a paradox. Here, we´re comparing mathematical models, internal vs external load variables & big data findings to optimise training. Meanwhile, many of world's very best distance runners will laugh at you & run from if you ask them to wear a HR belt or count km!

My personal template for 60min power test pacing has emerged. First two times, I was not fit enough to push 60min. Last 3 have settled in. If HR is at/under 90%max at 20min, I can sustain that power to 60min, with great effort. What does your template look like?

Instead of me singing "The 12 Days of Christmas", here are 12 geeky, but potentially instructional experiments for amateur endurance athletes to perform on themselves during 2019. Hey, it´s how I roll.

A few extra words applied to the issue of Maximal Aerobic Power before I drink my morning coffee:

Young athletes often become crushed under the massiveness of the gap between where they are and that "big goal" they set for themselves. We must support their goals, but help them break them up into smaller pieces. Their most important comparison becomes.. themselves, yesterday.