It's not often we get top musicians come to the clinic for lactate threshold tests, so when former professional violinist Alan Corish came to see Kevin Dawson to improve his cycling after a five year hiatus it was a first for the clinic!

A former keen cyclist, Alan had fallen off the bike wagon for five years, but was inspired to return to his passion for cycling after the Tour de France came to Britain last year.

The 51-year-old Doncaster Wheeler came to see Kevin in June, following a few months of steady training, inspired by reading numerous articles on lactate threshold testing.

In the few short weeks following the test, the father of two had transformed himself from a steady club cyclist to a time trial racing machine, defying all expectations of what he could achieve by just training to heart rate.

Alan takes up the story of how this came about:

“Last September I set myself a very ambitious target of riding my first ever 100 mile time trial for charity this year, in aid of my dear mum, who died of cancer in 2013.

“I re-joined my local club, Doncaster Wheelers, and started training and then racing time trials again in March, gradually increasing my mileage in preparation for my target 100m TT race in July.

“It was at this point I seriously thought about going to see Kevin to have him assess my fitness level. Blizard Physiotherapy were excellent, from the first phone call, to meeting Kevin for the very first time.”
 
Alan explained that he had never experienced anything like a lactate test before, but was soon put at ease at the clinic.

“Kevin was an absolute gentleman, helping me relax, and constantly encouraging me throughout the session. I knew his background, and so was a little nervous at meeting such a legend, but, after a few minutes, he was like a mate from school!”

Alan learned a lot about himself and his fitness levels during and after the test, giving him plenty of impetus to keep up his training load, but in a more informed, smart manner.

“I learned loads about my fitness, and it was very reassuring to hear Kevin tell me that I was in very good shape, given that I had only been back on the bike for about ten months.  I also knew there was still plenty of work to do as the 100TT was just weeks away at this point!
 
“However, Kevin set out a training plan which implemented my new found heart rate zones - this I knew would give me a better chance of completing the 100m in good form.  I followed my plan, incorporating a new long recovery run into my training, as well as receiving advice on nutrition and hydration before, during and after the race.  Knowing his credible background, I took this advice.”

Perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise to reveal that Alan didn’t complete the 100m time trial in his initial target of 4:30 hours, considering his pre-lactate test fitness levels… Instead, he absolutely smashed it in 4:18.42, using his new HR zones!

He confirmed: “With this result, I knew my training had jumped to a different level!”

Riding on a new wave of confidence, Alan entered a 10 mile TT due to take place two days after his second lactate threshold test, because he said he was “feeling great, riding a little faster and recovering better.” 

His fitness confidence was confirmed during his re-test when Kevin revealed he had increased his threshold capacity and gained 30 watts of power in just three months of heart rate training!

Alan was over the moon, and, following Kevin’s race advice once again, he equalled his all time best for the 10m distance in the time trial with an impressive 22:55 result. He hadn’t raced that fast since his teenage years, which speaks volumes for the huge leaps forwards his training has taken him.

He added: “The only two open time trials I entered this season yielded great results for me - I couldn't have asked for anything more!
 
“Kevin has now given me a winter programme to train to, he's always available for advice should I need it, and so I now know it’s time to take my cycling to another level.”

Full of enthusiasm, Alan lists his goals for next season with confidence, safe in the knowledge that he has one of the country’s best ever cyclists supporting him all the way.
 
He said: “I am going to aim to beat my 10, 25, 50 and 100 mile time trial times next year - I feel confident that training with my new heart rate zones, and eating and resting properly, will really help me achieve these goals.
 
“I wouldn't hesitate to recommend other cyclists to have a lactate test at Blizard Physiotherapy!”

What a brilliant story of triumph over adversity, and, with the right mix of hard work, top advice from Kevin, and heart rate training, Alan has used his cycling lactate threshold tests to help him fulfil his potential, and there’s more to come we’re sure!