Top World Cup skier Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen of Norway is choosing to do her own running time-trials instead of doing MaxVO2 tests on the treadmill.
– It’s very nice to get high MaxVO2 values confirmed, but it’s not guaranteed that those with high values are skiing fast. I have a 4.3-kilometer running time-trial on a road in order to get equal conditions both summer and fall. This way the result won’t be affected by slick or muddy trails following rain or snow. I started doing it this way last year and are doing three to four test from spring to late fall.
Hilde ran in to a new PR by 12 seconds in her time-trial in July and followed that up by winning the classic rollerski time-trial at the recent August National team camp by 48 seconds. Her old record was from last fall when she was in good shape.
– Much of my training is by feel. I know when things are working well, when I’m in good shape and when things are “turning south”. That’s when I adjust. I’m comfortable with my time-trial and those who are doing advanced treadmill-tests are comfortable and happy with that. It’s the total picture that matters.
