Hi-

Rather than write up another long explanation, I looked up some of my old posts I did with regards to lactate threshold/anaerobic threshold. Give them a read:

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20353
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20602

The first one listed also gives a pretty accurate self test for anaerobic threshold/lactate threshold training.

For what it's worth, knowing that exact number will help increase your performance. As you continue training, you can monitor your progress by retaking the test. I'd recommend retaking it every three months if you are seriously training and looking for an increase in your performance. Be sure that when you are doing the test, you stick with the EXACT number, not an "about" number. That exact number will correspond to a heart rate chart, and when you look up the number you got from doing your self test, you stick with the heart rate values given to you based on your number. As the numbers change, so will your training program.

The reason why professional athletes are so far above the recreational athlete is because they truly train- they take these tests seriously and use the numbers like a priest studying a bible... they know how important those numbers are, and how monitoring those numbers and tracking any change will give them more of a competitive edge.

As for your numbers for running vs. cycling, the heart rate maximum should be different. I did a post on that too, but I couldn't find it initially, but I'll look it up. It was a detailed explanation. The easier explanation is to say "what nathank said". When I find that post, I'll edit this post and add it in under this paragraph.

Koffee