Elevated HR after long training session?

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2009-08-17 11:39 AM

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Subject: Elevated HR after long training session?
Let me preface these two questions by saying I am a little bit of a hypochondriac...

1) I've noticed that after my long rides (3+ hours), my heart rate remains slightly elevated (10-15 bpm above normal) for several hours afterwards, and my body still feels slightly hot.  This last weekend, it wasn't until the next morning that I felt totally back to normal (normal RHR, etc.).

Is this a cause for concern (i.e., overtraining, dehydration?), or is this just a sign that my body is recovering normally from a long session?

2) I've also noticed sometimes that I get a slight cough for awhile too, and the cough tastes coppery/metallic, almost like blood -- but I don't cough up anything.  Just a sign of dry lungs from breathing hard for a long time?

2009-08-17 12:39 PM
in reply to: #2353255

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Subject: RE: Elevated HR after long training session?

First, the disclaimer...I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice and only you can determine if seeking professional advice is warranted by your circumstances.

That said, I have had similar experiences, but after both long and short efforts. I have always chalked it up to level of hydration. For me too the HR returns to normal within several hours. I know people track RHR as a way to determine if they are overtraining.

To the copper/metallic taste of the a cough, could it be that your lungs are in fact irritated? Afterall, you are probably breathing much heavier and more deeply and for a longer period of time than normal, as you realize.

 

2009-08-17 3:29 PM
in reply to: #2353455

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Subject: RE: Elevated HR after long training session?
Force - 2009-08-17 10:39 AM

First, the disclaimer...I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice and only you can determine if seeking professional advice is warranted by your circumstances.

That said, I have had similar experiences, but after both long and short efforts. I have always chalked it up to level of hydration. For me too the HR returns to normal within several hours. I know people track RHR as a way to determine if they are overtraining.

To the copper/metallic taste of the a cough, could it be that your lungs are in fact irritated? Afterall, you are probably breathing much heavier and more deeply and for a longer period of time than normal, as you realize.



I know I was a little dehydrated, but not too bad (I think).  But next time I'll force myself to drink more, and see if that makes a difference.  As for my cough, I definitely was breathing thru my mouth most of the ride, so maybe I got more gunk in them than normal, and that irritated them (like you said)...

Thanks for the feedback though -- it's good to know other people have experienced the same thing...
2009-08-17 3:35 PM
in reply to: #2353255

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Subject: RE: Elevated HR after long training session?
I get the cough thing sometimes, but only after a race where I have been breathing really hard for an extended period of time.  My heart rate returns to normal within an hour of a race, maybe only 30 min or so - I have never really measured it as it has never seemed to remain in a "faster than normal" state for any lenght of time...

No other help, sorry!  Maybe ask your doctor?
2009-08-17 4:10 PM
in reply to: #2354025

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Subject: RE: Elevated HR after long training session?
I'm not a doctor either...

BUT, that sounds typical after a long workout to me...  Basically, you just taxed/stressed your body - which is a good thing.  That's what training does.  However, with that stress, you also in a way injured your body and it needs to repair and get stronger.

That is why we train, and that's why they say that it the resting that gets you stronger, not the workout.

An elevated HR is the body's way to cope deal with the recovery (or illness).  More oxygen enriched blood getting to your cells for repair/growth.

I'm sure it has something to do with dehydration as well.  That will take a few hours to get back to normal if you neglected it.

What you want to watch out for is elevated HR the next morning after a workout.  If it's still high, that is a sign you may have overdone it and may need a day off to recover/rest.  That's why knowing your typical resting HR to use as a baseline.
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