It is never too late to start a new challenge, as triathlete-in-training, Jo Cudmore, has discovered after her first lactate threshold test on the bike with Jono Frary!



Have you ever looked at a sport and thought “that looks fun, but I’m too old/unfit/overwhelmed” to give it a try? Don’t let age, fitness or a lack of knowledge about a sport stop you taking on a new challenge, because as 52-year old Jo Cudmore is finding out, it is never too late to start!

Jo is a great example of someone who grasped the chance to rise to a new challenge with the help of Blizard’s fitness testing services, and, just a short time after her lactate test with Jono Frary, she is confident she will achieve her goal of completing an Olympic distance triathlon this August.

Highlighting the common misconception that lactate threshold testing and personal coaching by our experts are services exclusively for the elite athlete, Jo only considered the bike session after a friend with similar fitness levels had a successful lactate treadmill test with Dave Tune.

She explained: “Hearing about her experience gave me the confidence to consider it, as previously I thought the lactate tests were only for ‘proper’ athletes! I had been running for a few years, and started spinning classes at the gym recently, but I don’t have a sporty background beyond that.

“I knew I needed help with my aims to train for a triathlon, as the next step of going out on a racing bike was very daunting when I hadn’t ridden a bike for years - I couldn’t even take a hand off the handlebars! I also needed a training programme for my personal abilities, as all the schedules I had seen up to that point were too advanced, and subsequently I found them impossible.

“I thought by going to Blizard I would get a realistic and achievable plan to allow me to improve my fitness on the bike, and start believing in my abilities to move up from the back of the pack on social rides at least.”



The Louth Triathlon Club member was relieved to find that the cycling lactate test was just what she needed to address her individual fitness and confidence issues.

“It was so personal - Jono didn’t benchmark my ability against others, but instead provided the information I needed to improve my own abilities,” she enthused. “I discovered what I needed to be doing in training to add genuine value.

“I am now confident that the training I’ve been doing since the bike test is right for me, and Jono’s advice on the optimum amount of time to spend on each discipline was gratefully received - because it is all new to me, it’s great to have someone to talk to and ask questions about these things, and he is always quick to reply.”

Jono was impressed with Jo’s energy for the challenge ahead of her: “While a little nervous before we started, Jo was full of enthusiasm and drive to improve. She had set herself some big targets, and I could tell she was really determined to get there.

“Jo worked hard on the test, and like all of our 97% of athletes that improve, she had lots of questions about what was happening and what the information meant for her. She clearly left motivated, as within just a few days, we had a report back in on her training!

“It is really important to us that athletes check back in after a few weeks, so we can help to answer simple questions, and make sure they’re working with our advice and plans in the right way!”

In her quest to tackle some pool-based sprint triathlons before her Olympic distance event in London in August, she has built her training up to an impressive five hours cycling, three hours running and two hours swimming a week, and hopes her experiences encourage others to take up triathlon.



Summing up in her characteristically positive manner Jo said: “I am looking forward to going back to Blizard to see how much I have improved, and to make sure I keep on the right track!”

As Jo alluded, Blizard recommended a re-test four months after her first lactate test. This is when we will look at measuring her improvement, and help to set her target race pace ahead of her big challenge in August. This will ensure she gets the most out of her new fitness, and delivers her potential.

Jono added: “I’m really looking forward to hearing about how Jo progresses through this season in the lead up to her goal!"



We have every confidence in your abilities to achieve your potential Jo, and will be with you every step of the way to help you do the best you can in August, and beyond!

To find out more about the lactate tests we offer here at Blizard's for runners and cyclists, click here to find out more in our handy guide! Lactate Testing Guide for cyclists and runners