Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition

Triathlete magazine recently asked my thoughts on the importance of anaerobic training for endurance athletes - you can read more HERE.  Why is it important to train different energy systems?  There are two ways to produce energy in an oxygen deficient (anaerobic) state. The first is the lactic acid system and the other is the ATP-CP system (Adenosine Triphosphate-Creatine Phosphate). In efforts lasting less than 10 seconds, your body uses the ATP-CP system. During these short very high-intensity efforts, no lactic acid is created. Immediate energy is provided from the breakdown of high energy phosphates. The lactic acid system is formed within the muscle cells during glycolysis - breaking down of glucose (thus the importance of keeping glycogen levels stocked with proper recovery nutrition and the daily consumption of adequate carbohydrates). As pyruvate accumulates in the muscle cell (by-product of glycolysis), it converts to lactate and releases hydrogen ions in the proces...