The science of Lance

"Ken" wrote in message
...
I watched this on the Discovery channel last night, and I had NO idea that
he really had any physical differences from the normal man. But from what
they were saying he has a heart like a gorilla and lungs to match! I think
they said his heart pumps about twice as much blood as a normal man
(volume). And his lungs extract 20% more oxygen from each breath. WOW! I
guess this helps when he is climbing those hills in theTdF.

Ken

He's a freak. :-)

There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports. When I want a day of rest from any of
these other activities, I go for a hard bike ride. Does that irritate
any of you? If so, ask yourselves why you prefer biking to those other
forms of exercise.

Of course, Armstrong started out very young, mainly as a runner and
then moved into triathlons, involving swimming. This background is
probably one big reason he's had so much success in bike racing. The
high demand on his cardio-pulmonary system when running and swimming,
allowed development that has served him well when pedaling. His success
also testifies to the value of cross-training. If you become proficient
in two or more endurance activities, you can expand your body's strength
and endurance better, without having to push yourself to the point of
breakdown in any one of them. Maybe when Armstrong is tired of pure
bike racing, he will show what he can do at the Ironman.

Steve McDonald

"Steve McDonald" wrote in message
...

There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports. When I want a day of rest from any of
these other activities, I go for a hard bike ride. Does that irritate
any of you?

Nope.

If so, ask yourselves why you prefer biking to those other
forms of exercise.

I can't speak of long distance running, rowing, or cross-country skiing but
an hour in the pool feels like less of an exertion than an hour on the bike.

I do more biking because I prefer it. And to be fair in these weather
conditions the biking DEFINITELY takes more out of me - in sweat alone.

I always figured swimming was a good complement to cycling as I consciously
use my upper body more for balance.

--
'You don't have to shout to be heard
Who said, dark was deep?' -meredith brooks

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 19:06:25 -0700, (Steve
McDonald) wrote:


There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports. When I want a day of rest from any of
these other activities, I go for a hard bike ride. Does that irritate
any of you? If so, ask yourselves why you prefer biking to those other
forms of exercise.

How many training days do you have in the last two years?

jj

Of course, Armstrong started out very young, mainly as a runner and
then moved into triathlons, involving swimming. This background is
probably one big reason he's had so much success in bike racing. The
high demand on his cardio-pulmonary system when running and swimming,
allowed development that has served him well when pedaling. His success
also testifies to the value of cross-training. If you become proficient
in two or more endurance activities, you can expand your body's strength
and endurance better, without having to push yourself to the point of
breakdown in any one of them. Maybe when Armstrong is tired of pure
bike racing, he will show what he can do at the Ironman.

Steve McDonald

There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports.

I think you're missing a key aspect of bike racing: Except for time
trialing, the winning moves will often be built around short, anaerobic
efforts, unlike the other sports you mention, IIRC.

Do you have any experience racing bikes?


Chris Neary


"Science, freedom, beauty, adventu what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh

(Steve McDonald) wrote:

There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports. When I want a day of rest from any of
these other activities, I go for a hard bike ride. Does that irritate
any of you? If so, ask yourselves why you prefer biking to those other
forms of exercise.

No problem - just show us events where people run, swim, row or
cross-country ski for an average of 5-6 hours a day for a few weeks
and we'll compare notes.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

"Steve McDonald" wrote in message
...

There are many top endurance athletes who would show similar or
even better physiological capacities as those of Armstrong. The best
distance runners, swimmers, rowers, cross-country skiers and others have
to put out more sustained effort than any bicycle rider does. When
carried out at the highest levels of performance, biking is a breeze,
compared to those other sports. When I want a day of rest from any of
these other activities, I go for a hard bike ride. Does that irritate
any of you? If so, ask yourselves why you prefer biking to those other
forms of exercise.

Of course, Armstrong started out very young, mainly as a runner and
then moved into triathlons, involving swimming. This background is
probably one big reason he's had so much success in bike racing. The
high demand on his cardio-pulmonary system when running and swimming,
allowed development that has served him well when pedaling. His success
also testifies to the value of cross-training. If you become proficient
in two or more endurance activities, you can expand your body's strength
and endurance better, without having to push yourself to the point of
breakdown in any one of them. Maybe when Armstrong is tired of pure
bike racing, he will show what he can do at the Ironman.

Steve McDonald

Yeah those 5 hour rides (like a double marathon) at 25+ mph almost everyday
for three straight weeks - piece of cake - lots of other endurance athletes
put out a "more sustained effort." Those TDF guys are wimps.

BobT

Those steroids and enhancers sure work wonders. How easy is it for them
to be masked by the legitimate drugs he is taking for cancer etc?

wrote in message
oups.com...
: Those steroids and enhancers sure work wonders. How easy is it for them
: to be masked by the legitimate drugs he is taking for cancer etc?

Just was waiting for you to show up....he isn't taking any drugs for cancer.
he is the most tested athlete on the planet. get over your jealosy.

Pat in TX
:

Not jealous of lance- he's got no ba**s. Plus he runs with that old
used up bag sherry crow. Lance only wins cuz they keep out the
competitors!!! Maybe a bit jealous of Cipo- the fastest and best
cyclist on the planet.