Now there’s an interesting and possibly bullshit idea. But it works, I promise. First, a little background info for those who slept through that part of school. Hopefully everyone remembers that atoms are made of a nucleus of protons and neutrons that’s surrounded by orbiting electrons. You probably also remember the classic Rutherford (or planetary) model of an atom. In this model, electrons spin around the nucleus much as planets orbit a star. The problem you run into with this model, though, is that as a charged particle (e.g. an electron) accelerates, as it would to traverse an orbital path, it radiates energy. This energy can’t spontaneously appear and would have to come from the kinetic energy of the electron (thank you, First Law of Thermodynamics). Thus the electron would lose speed, wouldn’t be able to avoid the pull of the nucleus, and would spiral inwards, crashing into the nucleus. Obviously this doesn’t happen, or atoms wouldn’t exist.

Enter Niels Bohr and quantum physics. Bohr’s model is similar to the planetary model, but doesn’t allow for an infinite number of orbits in which an electron may exist. Instead, each electron must stay in a certain quantum level, orbiting the nucleus at a set distance without losing, or for that matter, gaining, energy. To change from one level to another, the electron must absorb or radiate a distinct amount of energy. The electron then leaps from one quantum to another. This is called quantum leap. Like the TV show. Go ahead, think about brainless TV for a few seconds. Mmmmm. Back to science!! There simply is no level of energy between two orbital at which the electron can exist. Put as much energy as you want into an electron, if it isn’t enough to make it leap, the electron doesn’t move.

This was a pretty quick, slapdash review, and as such is simplified and less than perfect. All you physics nerds out there, be kind.

On to my new theory! I’ve become convinced that, at least at some levels, cycling fitness is quantized. While riding my trainer over this winter (as well as previous winters), I’ve discovered that at some point I’m simply much stronger than I was days previous. Case in point: two weeks ago, despite riding consistently for the past few months, I would be toast by the end of a two hour session. Every ride in the preceding weeks was the same: 1.5, maybe 2 hours and I was done. Last week, I can suddenly complete two hours easily, even riding three a couple times. Not only that, I’m riding in a consistently harder gear. And I feel good at the end. I’ve made a quantum leap in fitness. Based on prior experience, I’ll make at least one more of these leaps this winter, but hopefully it’ll be out on the road rather than in my hot, gross living room with the hum of a trainer ringing in my ears.

As fitness gets near its peak, my theory may break down. Or it may be that the levels between quanta are smaller and smaller (as in the atomic system) and thus feel like a continuum. Or perhaps you’ve actually become “ionized” at this point and fitness truly does exist on a continuum. Also, keep in mind that, as of yet, my theory hasn’t passed the rigors of a designed experiment, such as one measuring heart rate and power output. It’s based purely on observation. Of one subject. All you PT nerds out there, be kind.

If anyone else has experienced this phenomenon, let me know. I’d love to have additional support for my theory. I’ll even make you a co-author if I ever publish it!

Oh, and on a totally unrelated note: Hi Bianchi and Jamie. Thanks for infesting my blog.