Back back, back to the lab...

After a nice 2 week break, we are going back to the hospital this week for more rounds of tests.  Yesterday was my least favorite, the arterial VO2.  Getting a blood catheter put in the artery in your arm is not pleasant, then doing 2 VO2 max tests with an hour and a half in between means about 4 hours at the hospital having the thing stuck in the arm...  Anyway its over now, and I'm very happy about that.  I managed to improve a little from last time, maxing out at 475 watts instead of 450, then 425 instead of 400 in the 2nd (hypoxic) round.  Not sure if this is evidence that I am indeed in a hypoxic room, or if its just from training hard.

About to start the hypoxic VO2 test, breathing low oxygen air through this tube...

Today was another Wingate (30 sec max effort) and then a 40 minute time trial for the submax effort test.  Improved significantly on both, which was pretty sweet.  Up to 990 watts from 860 in the Wingate, and 316 from 287 in the TT, 4.1 watts per kg.  Apparently on the indoor trainer the power is less than what you can do outside in real life, I must borrow someones power meter and check this out sometime.

The weather has cleared up in the past few days, it is sunny and 65 degrees today and should be the same tomorrow. Perfect weather, it is very beautiful out.  I'm finished with this week's tests, so plan to head out for a nice long ride tomorrow.  Unfortunately next week is looking like more cold and rain, but maybe the weather forecast will be wrong...