Sunday 27 March 2011

Final phase of training

The final phase of training for the run across the USA started this week. It is the icing on the cake and will be carried out in the "comfort" of the Department of Sport and Exercise at Northumbria University.

My first session, on Thursday, was a baseline test carried out on a treadmill in a controlled lab under the supervision of Post Graduate Researcher Jamie Tallent.

It was a 40 minute session of four cycles at sea level and an ambient temperature. During the test, readings were taken for Lactate levels, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, oxygen saturation and uptake.

These stats will be compared to future weeks to see how I respond in different conditions. Next week is a test at altitude. 11'300 ft to be precise. The following week will re-create the temperature and humidity of the Mojave Desert as it will be in mid May.

Thanks to Jamie Tallent and Lab Director, Dr Glyn Howatson, for letting me use the superb facilities at Northumbria University.