my58vw

I was thinking tonight, just about in the middle of my last 12 minute (number 5) LT interval about power. We talk about raising your bodies ability to buffer lactic acid, done by using LT intervals. I would assume that when you can buffer lactic acid better your lactic acid threshold HR will go up, closer to max.

I am finding something else intersting...

When I started LT intervals a few months ago my LT HR was about 162 BPM but when I first started I would start feeling the loss of breath about 156 or so BPM during the first LT interval. Fast forward 2 month, my LT is measured at 166 BPM, up 6 BPM approximatly. Also even for the first LT interval of the session I do not feel anarobic until right at the LT. These things mean that my body is buffering lactic acid better... a good sign.

Now the funny part. With all the same settings on the trainer, same wheel, tire pressure, roller resistance, I am pushing 2 gears higher (now a 53-17 on a fluid trainer) at LT with the new HR (166 vs 160). Now for an increase of 6 BPM LT I would expect maybe a little improvement but 2 gears is substantial. This increase was verified on both LT inerval sessions this week.

Would this increase in power be directly related to an increase in LT or is it a power increase? I have also been doing weight training 2 times per weeks and that could be a factor.

Thanks as usual.

ZackJones

Don't know, but congrats on the improvement.