Wednesday was a testing day for me. In the morning we did max strength testing and in the afternoon I had my VO2 max tested and did classic technique video. The strength testing was mostly just foolishness. We tested max pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, dips, and box jumps. I did very poorly, especially on the pull-ups and dips because I hadn't done any of those this year really. But I know that I will get better with those when I start training again.

My VO2 max test was uncomfortable. I did not like it at all. Yuri put a big mask on my face and hooked me up to the machine. As soon as I got set up, I had to pee. And then breathing with the mask made me thirsty. And on top of all that he made me run on a treadmill. Unfortunately I can't run very fast, especially right now, and after a very short time I had to tell Yuri that I couldn't run that fast when he increased the speed and he stopped it before I fell off the treadmill. I didn't like the mask at all; the straps were tight and it was heavy and kept slipping down so it squeezed my nostrils shut. Not to mention that I was nervous starting the test, so that made everything worse. Next time I think will be more fun because I will be more relaxed and ready able to focus on running and not be as distracted by all the gadgets.

Then we did classic technique with Matt Whitcomb and Pete Vordenburg. Stina and I were late to practice because we took a trip to Wal-Mart to get cake mix for Matt Liebsch's birthday. Matt and Pete were very nice and positive. When we went over the video in the evening it was clear that I looked like I hadn't been on roller skis (or skis) for awhile & didn't really know what I was doing but they still had encouragement along with their suggestions, so I thought that was nice, especially since there was so much room to make fun of me.

Thursday morning we did a running/bounding time trial on the Birkie trails. So, in a sense, more testing. I am not running very fast. It was kind of sad. Eventually though, I'll get better. My heart rate was still high and consistent which was a main point of the time trial. Now I get a break until skate intervals this afternoon, and tomorrow is a day off!