Training w/ HR Monitor, need some perspective!

[thom]

I've been training with a heart rate monitor about 3 weeks, and I'm hoping a few of you may have insight for me. I'm also reading a book about heart rate training, but I admittedly am not very far yet....

So, is it normal to have some runs where I'm at almost 200 bpm? I'm trying to keep my easy runs in the 150-165 range, which is more challenging than I thought.

Sometimes I can do a tempo & stay in the 170's, but on a 4 mile run a few weeks ago I did about 1/2 marathon pace & averaged 198. I was well over 200 at times & felt fatigued but not THAT bad. Can that even be an accurate reading?

I suppose my real issue is I haven't established a true heart rate max yet. I've just estimated with the formula.

What are the best running tests or protocols you've used to get your HR max? I'm thinking maybe my max is higher than average because I'm small boned, small ribs & torso, and maybe just have a smaller heart.

Sorry this is long & disjointed. I'd appreciate any & all suggestions for training more effectively now that I've finally got this gadget.

[mfluder]

Others may be able to provide more info. For me I admit I gave up on hear rate training because it made me think I was dying lol. I shoot up 180/190 easy. I can't do an easy run at 150 like recommended, that's barely a warm up for me. My trainer was concerned, we stepped it back and I got checked out by a doctor. Apparently I am fine, just my heart rate is higher. Trainer stepped it back up and we gave up on the heart rate monitor. If it's a chest strap it's likely accurate also.

[shorewife]

I'm not much help either but I think a HR monitor is to be used as another tool like a GPS watch.
I was running a 5k in a series with someone one time and all of a sudden she just dropped way back. She said she didn't like her HR to go above xxx (don't remember the number) but I thought it was strange that she was relying so much on the # on her HR monitor.
Isn't getting your HR up just part of training?!

[thom]

Dec 3, 2013 14:16:16 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Others may be able to provide more info. For me I admit I gave up on hear rate training because it made me think I was dying lol. I shoot up 180/190 easy. I can't do an easy run at 150 like recommended, that's barely a warm up for me. My trainer was concerned, we stepped it back and I got checked out by a doctor. Apparently I am fine, just my heart rate is higher. Trainer stepped it back up and we gave up on the heart rate monitor. If it's a chest strap it's likely accurate also.

Yup, It is a chest strap. Thanks for your info!

[thom]

Dec 3, 2013 14:43:08 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I'm not much help either but I think a HR monitor is to be used as another tool like a GPS watch.
I was running a 5k in a series with someone one time and all of a sudden she just dropped way back. She said she didn't like her HR to go above xxx (don't remember the number) but I thought it was strange that she was relying so much on the # on her HR monitor.
Isn't getting your HR up just part of training?!

I find it odd that she'd wear her monitor in a race. If I'm actually racing I wouldn't do that. However, if I was trying to treat a specific race as a training run than a HR monitor would be a good way to stay honest about training pace. (Or maybe she was a few months PG & just wanted to take it easier?)

Definitely, I want to get my HR up; I'm just hoping to really zero in on my making my easy runs easy and pushing as much as I can/should for speed work.

[gt7301b]

Obviously everyone is different, but 198 is way off of what I average on a training run/half marathon. I looked at my last half and I averaged 174 and my max was 184. Yes, I sometimes wear my heart rate monitor when racing, but I almost think it can be too much information. I wouldn't wear a heart rate monitor during a 5K, cause you are supposed to go balls to the walls.

Is there any chance your heart rate is broken/not syncing correctly? If it was only a one time occurrence I wouldn't be too concerned, but if it happened repeatedly I'd be concerned.