
Originally Posted by
Mike T
Have a look at the Andy Jones videos on UKA - they are very interesting. He tested Paula twice a year between 1992 and 2003 and shows some of the data on his slides. Her VO2 max measurements fluctuated a bit but were never as high as 80 - but if you look at charts that predict VO2 max from race times at least one says her VO2 max would be about 80 - for example that on page 42 of the 3rd edition of Lore of Running; that on page 46 gives her a value of about 75. Andy Jones clearly has access to pretty high tech equipment and his results must be as accurate as any. I cannot tell you how long she trained at 120 miles a week - it is my understanding that she is a very high mileage runner, some would say too high, though it seemed to work for a time.
As to her dramatic increased running efficiency, it is well documented that high mileage does this, indeed it is probably why high mileage is of benefit. (Lore of Running, pges 36-37 ).
Yes, I always think of VO2 max in terms of ml/kg/min.