Robbie Deckard is a professional middle-distance triathlete and triathlon coach, and the founder of Freaky Fast Aero Accessories. In this episode, Robbie and Mikael dig into the real differences between American and European training methods, using lactate and VLaMax to optimise training and performance, and how age-group triathletes can apply lab-grade thinking to swim, bike and run training without actually going into a lab. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY TOPICS: The real difference between FTP-centric American coaching and the German/Benelux style built around VLaMax, VO2max and physiological profiling. The evolution of VLaMax based training: from Alois Mader's 1970s model through Jan Olbrecht to current day coaches like Dan Lorang. Robbie's case for still doing dedicated VO2max work, including a case study that took an amateur cyclist's VO2max from 74 to 87 mL/kg/min over 58 weeks of block periodisation. Why building maximal aerobic power early is more valuable long-term than chasing threshold gains, and how that shapes the "durability" that separates junior and U23 cyclists from senior professional cyclists. How Robbie profiles athletes using LT1, LT2 and 5-minute power (or 500 yd swim time, or mile run time), and what typical percentage utilisation looks like for age-groupers versus elites. How he prescribes endurance, threshold and VO2max sessions in practice, including cues (power, pace, RPE), lactate targets, and why exact wattage precision on threshold work matters less than people think. Practical advice for age-groupers: open-water swim skills and ankle-band drills, running road races for pacing and durability, and hill running for strength and economy. Improving aerodynamics on a budget: reduce frontal area first, then refine airflow, and how to measure progress without a wind tunnel using Golden Cheetah or a simple speed sensor. SHOWNOTES, LINKS, RESOURCES AND RELATED EPISODES: Follow Robbie Deckard and Freaky Fast Aero Accessories on his website, blog, Instagram, and Freaky Fast Aero Accessories' Instagram. The shownotes for today's episode can be found here. The full podcast episode archives (including category filters) can be found here. A Scientific Approach to Improve Physiological Capacity of an Elite Cyclist - Rønnestad & Hansen 2018 FTP, VO2max and VLaMax with Sebastian Weber | EP#169 VLaMax, Polarised training, Fatigue and Complexity with Mark Burnley, PhD | EP#331 Training talk with Sebastian Zeller | EP#259 Training structure, periodisation and the science of winning with Jan Olbrecht, PhD | EP#198 Training, testing, metabolism and physiology with Björn Kafka | EP#286 Kolie Moore – Overrated and Underrated Factors for Cycling Performance The Science of Winning: Planning, Periodizing and Optimizing Swim Training - book by Jan Olbrecht The Triathlete's Training Bible - book by Joe Friel Software mentioned: Aerotune, Golden Cheetah, INSCYD, Sentiero SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration produce our favourite gels, sports drinks, and electrolyte and carbohydrate products here at That Triathlon Show and Scientific Triathlon. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get a personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event, and get 15% off your first 2026 order by using the code TTS2026 at checkout. Rouvy is hands down the most complete indoor cycling platform for triathletes. Among their thousands of beautiful bike courses from all around the world, all filmed in stunning quality, they have over 75 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race courses plus 20+ Challenge Family courses, so you can pre-ride your race from home. Real gradients, real visuals, and real feel! Head to rouvy.com and use the code TTS to get your first month free on top of a 7-day free trial. Effortless Swimming produce the best swim goggles for triathletes and open water swimmers. Their NanoClear anti-fog lenses give you clear, fog-free vision that lasts and doesn't wear off. Don't let foggy or leaky goggles ruin another swim. Go to shop.effortlessswimming.com and use the code TTS15 to get 15% off your goggles, and get a free two-month Effortless Swimming course membership.LEARN MORE ABOUT SCIENTIFIC TRIATHLON: The Scientific Triathlon website is the home of That Triathlon Show and everything else that we doContact us through our contact form or email me directly (note - email/contact form messages get responded to much more quickly than Instagram DMs)Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on InstagramLearn more about our coaching, training plans, and training camps. We have something to offer for everybody from beginners to professionals.HOW CAN I SUPPORT THAT TRIATHLON SHOW (FOR FREE)? I really appreciate you reading this and considering helping the show! If you love the show and want to support it to help ensure it sticks around, there are a few very simple things you can do, at no cost other than a minute of your time. Subscribe to the podcast in your podcast app to automatically get all new episodes as they are released.Tell your friends, internet and social media friends, acquaintances and triathlon frenemies about the podcast. Word of mouth is the best way to grow the podcast by far!Rate and review the podcast (ideally five stars of course!) in your podcast app of choice (Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the biggest and most important ones).Share episodes online and on social media. Share your favourite episodes in your Instagram stories, start a discussion about interesting episodes on forums, reference them in your blog or Substack. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
