Under the Microscope: The Humbling Reality of a Physiology Lab

One of the most exciting parts of being in the national program is the access to world-class resources. So, when we took our first team trip down to San Diego from September 23rd to 25th, I was genuinely thrilled. We were headed to Point Loma Nazarene University to work with our strength coach, Antonio, and go through a battery of formal physiological tests. For me, this was a first. I had never been in a true performance lab, and I couldn't wait to see what the numbers would say.

The excitement, however, was mixed with a healthy dose of nerves. A lab is a sterile, unforgiving environment. There's no crowd, no adrenaline from a competitor next to you—just you, the machine, and the data. As they wired me up to the sensors and calibrated the equipment, I felt the pressure mount. This wasn't just a training session; it was a test. I felt like I had to perform, to put out race-day numbers to prove I belonged.

We went through a series of brutal tests, measuring everything from peak power to lactate thresholds. I gave every single effort my absolute all, emptying the tank just as I would in a final.

Moments before the final power test of the trip.

And then, the results came in.

I was a bit disappointed. To be honest, I expected more from myself. When I saw my numbers on the screen compared to some of my teammates, a wave of frustration washed over me. The data was raw, objective, and it didn't align with the high expectations I had set for myself. It’s a humbling experience to see your perceived limits laid bare in a spreadsheet.

But after the initial sting wore off, a different feeling began to set in: motivation. This wasn't a final exam; it was a diagnostic test. The numbers weren't a judgment of my worth as an athlete, but simply an honest, unfiltered baseline for the hard work to come.

This trip provided the exact data we needed to build a smarter, more targeted strength block. It exposed my weaknesses with clinical precision, giving me and Antonio a clear roadmap for improvement. It showed me exactly how much higher I need to climb to be among the best in the world.

The numbers might not have been what I wanted, but they were what I needed. This is my starting line. Now, the real work begins.