I realized that I had seriously misread the test requirements for my VO2Max test the other day. So I re-did the test and got a score of 35%, a 9 point improvement — fair, which isn’t good but also isn’t poor. it’s not about getting a result I like by re-taking the test: it’s more about knowing what kind of a hole we’re trying to dig out of. Amazing what following the instructions can do for you.
The question is, how to get the number higher? Just “going for a run” isn’t going to work for me, anymore than a strenuous bike ride: I’m in no shape to do either in a repeatable way. And if I can’t repeat it, there’s no point in doing it at all. So it looks like a simpler regime is called for, with hopes of building up to more strenuous and fun activities in short order. Reading this suggests a couple of fast walks of a good distance — 3- 5 miles — 3 times a week is a good start. Ideally, walking leads to running, if for no other reason than to get the business over with (have I mentioned my love of exercise for its own sake?).
So if that goes as planned, a VO2Max test in a month will be in order and perhaps some improvement — maybe a better degree of “fair.”