HR zone question

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » HR zone question Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2005-12-01 1:31 PM

Member
67
2525
Douglasville, ga
Subject: HR zone question
Based on a max HR test and sleeping with my HRM on (my wife still laughs at me for that), my zone 2 on a bike is 136 to 143. Running is 144 to 152. Exercising in these zones has definitely been valuable to my progress.

But, I have a question: Where my heart rate should be on my long runs (zone 2 - 144 to 152) is EXACTLY where it should NOT be during biking (zone 3 - 144 to 151).

How does this work? I'm not saying it doesn't, I'm just curious because zone 2 on the bike feels so easy.

2005-12-01 1:49 PM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: HR zone question

First, you may want to check out this thread:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=25733&start=1

Max HR is not considered to be a very good measure to base your training zones.  Figuring your LT (discussed in the thread) is better.

But to answer your question, running is load-bearing while biking is not (or less so at any rate).  For most people, running HR > biking HR > swimming HR.

So, what kind of HRs do you get in bed? Innocent

2005-12-01 2:15 PM
in reply to: #296290

Member
67
2525
Douglasville, ga
Subject: RE: HR zone question
My zones based on LT numbers from a previous test are similar so I just used the Max numbers that I just did.

I don't think I phrased my question well. I'll try again.

How do my heart and lungs know, when beating for example 148 and breathing appropriately, that if I am running that this is good for my endurance, and if I am biking that it is bad?

Oh, and if I wear the HRM to bed, my dorky look makes sure that my HR stays low.

2005-12-01 2:32 PM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: HR zone question

Running HR zones are roughly 10 bpm faster than for biking. 

I always seem to be bouncing off the upper limit of zone 2 both on my bike and while running.  I have found that it is helping my running form however, as my HR drops when I focus on running more efficiently, i.e., higher cadence, shorter stride, relaxed upper body, etc.  

Mark

2005-12-01 2:35 PM
in reply to: #296330

User image

Expert
623
500100
Wye Mills, MD
Subject: RE: HR zone question
JohnnyKay - 2005-12-01 1:49 PM

So, what kind of HRs do you get in bed? Innocent

You better save those kinds of questions for Cup of JoeTongue out.

2005-12-01 3:14 PM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Expert
1070
10002525
North Carolina
Subject: RE: HR zone question
I do not know the exact reason.....maybe body position but I do not think you can get your max. heart rate as high on the bike as the run. At least I can't.......that's where the 10bpm comes from.

2005-12-01 3:24 PM
in reply to: #296401

User image

Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: HR zone question

Your heart & lungs "know" because your muscles are demading more energy to do the work your brain is trying to tell them to do. Smile  It simply requires more energy if you are carrying your body mass.

2005-12-01 3:27 PM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Lethbridge, Alberta
Bronze member
Subject: RE: HR zone question
My guess is that you use more of your muscle mass to run than you do to bike. The heart rate is not actually what is good or bad for you. It's only a measure of how hard you're working the muscles. It takes a higher HR to support the muscles used when running because there is more muscle involved. The lower HR when you're biking still means, for the muscles that are working, they are working just as hard as the running muscles at the higher HR.

Of course, I just made that up and I could be way out in left field.
2005-12-02 3:13 AM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Veteran
267
1001002525
Washington DC
Subject: RE: HR zone question
Micawber is exactly right. Optimizing training intensity is more about what is happening in the muscles than in the heart and lungs. Running uses greater muscle massto demand oxygen, so HRs will be higher at each threshold. The real issue is muscle fiber recruitment. Each of our muscles has endurance (slow twitch), speed-endurance (F.O.G.), and sprint (fast twitch) muscle fibers. The faster we ride or run, the more our bodies must call on the more powerful muscle fibers, which have less endurance characteristics. Zone 2, or basic endurance training, should be conducted at an intensity at which you are going hard enough to recruit almost all of the endurance fibers, but not the speed endurance or sprint fibers. Since you use more muscles running, this occurs at a higher heart rate.

Ken
2005-12-02 6:49 AM
in reply to: #296290

User image

Veteran
249
10010025
Northeast
Subject: RE: HR zone question
Others have (more or less) said this, and it's the most important point: HR monitoring is simply a gage of exertion. Remember that you're using this gage to monitor physiological processes (other than heart rate changes) occuring while training. This is why it is imperative to correlate your heart rate zones to a known physiological function (e.g., onset of lactate threshold) and then calculate your training zones.

Happy buh-buhmping.

Edited by jvinciqu 2005-12-02 6:49 AM
2005-12-02 8:01 AM
in reply to: #296290

Member
67
2525
Douglasville, ga
Subject: RE: HR zone question
Thanks for the explanations - I get it now.

I knew it worked because I have seen the results in me. But the engineer in me had to have the reasons why it worked.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » HR zone question Rss Feed