General Discussion Triathlon Talk » High Heart Rates- What's up? Rss Feed  
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2005-08-03 3:28 PM

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Subject: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Today I went for my first run where I incoporated some intervals of faster running (did 3 each 3 minutes long with recovery running in between). My heart rate when I run is usually comfortable around 170-185 staying around 185 for races. This seems high to me- I read that Lance Armstrong exercises with his around 120 something. Now I know, he's a man, I'm a woman, he's probably much taller than me, he's older, etc etc etc.

Anyway- on this run this morning, during my faster paced segments my HR was at 203-205 maxing out at 207. WTF? According to the calculations my Mac HR should be in the 190's but I'm not dead... I know the only accurate way to get a reading is VO2 Max testing and the like, but short of shelling out the dough for that right now, could my max just be higher than it's supposed to be? And what does this mean about my fitness level? Am I pushing it too hard- I feel ok at 170-185 and that's running a 10-10.5 minute mile! Any advice or thoughts would be welcome. Anyone else just have a high hr and they're ok?

Here are my stats in case it makes a difference:
Female, 28 yrs., 5'2", 114 lbs. my resting HR is around 40. I would guestimate that my metabolism is medium- it's not TOO hard to lose weight, not TOO easy to gain it either.

Thanks!


2005-08-03 3:34 PM
in reply to: #215398

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Elite
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
The calculations for max HR can be off by quite a bit. The best method to determine your max is to actually go to a track and do a test to measure it yourself. Do a google search and you should find the procedure. If not, I have it at home and can post it tonight.

All that being said, 203-205 seems pretty damn high. I'd make sure there was no interference with you HRM and I might consider going to a sports medicine doctor for an opinion. Something that far outside the norm might be worth checking out, especially with a resting HR of 40.
2005-08-03 3:39 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Oh No! Sports Medicine Doc!

I'm gonna check my resting HR again tonight- sleep with the HRM on to make sure- maybe it's higher? Yeah- I thought it sounded freakish! I've never heard of anyone going over 200!
2005-08-03 3:41 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Mine is higher than the formula indicates. It comes out to 189 and I've tested it at 196. That's the reason I said to test it. But like I said, over 200 is getting into ludicrous speed....
2005-08-03 6:00 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Your HR can vary daily depending on a number of factors: temperature, hydration, fatigue, etc.

I used to run at 175 bpm and thought that I was "fine" until last summer when I did some "base training". That whole thing they say about running and being able to hold a conversation? They don't mean two syllable sentances "Yeah... ok". They mean whole sentances like "Is this pace good for you? We can go slower if you like."

I trained at some incredibly low HR zone for weeks. My goal during base training was to run and have the avg HR for the entire run be below 150. Then the goal was to get below 140. Then to be around 135. For the first couple of weeks, that meant running slower than I could walk, practically. But then, suddently, my BR dropped 5 points. Then 10. Now, I can run the same distance that I used to run at 175, at the same speed, but my avg HR is in the mid 150s. It's about total heart and lung (cardio-pulmonary) effeciency.

I think that as you train, you'll see your whole system become more effecient, and your HR will drop. But, I've been told it takes years (mine is not nearly as low as my BF's, who has been running for several years longer than I have).

For the record, my max heart rate is around 200.
2005-08-03 6:47 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Ooh- tell me more about this base training. I just started this thing in June and I've done one triathlon, with another coming up at the end of August. I'm gonna try to do one a month till the water gets too cold for me sans wetsuit. I'd like to spend the winter getting faster at running and cycling. Sounds like adding to my base while keeping a low HR would be a perfect winter pass time. Did you read about how to do it/what to aim for somewhere you could point me?

Thanks for making me feel not quite so weird about my HR!

Although- I went on a bike ride tonight and when I got back my HRM said my max was 229! I was never at 229- there might be something wrong with my HRM or the connection it has to my skin or something. That's plain ridiculous. I'd have to stop and keel over if it was 229 for real!

Edited by AllieG 2005-08-03 6:57 PM


2005-08-03 9:53 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
I've wanted to get a HRM, but can't quite justify the cost yet. However at 229 I think your heart is actually pounding outside your body so I think it's off. You can always double check your HR through counting beats for 6 seconds and multiplying by 10 and see how far off it is.

Mike
2005-08-03 10:21 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
My HR monitor says 228 a lot, even when my HR is below 100, just a glich or something. I've been wondering about HR, also, since my max by age formula should be 178, but I regularly get to 187-188 near the end of my 5k runs at a 10 min pace, without struggling too much. I'm new to endurance sports and my aerobic ability is poor, but improving, and it seems like I have to slow to a crawl to keep a reasonable HR going. I'm training for a race three weeks out so I'm going with what I've got, but I also want to improve my HR, just so I can speed up, over the winter.
2005-08-04 8:08 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?

Allie,

What HRM you have, brand model?

2005-08-04 8:18 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
I have a Polar s120. I was reading about a timex HRM that said that swimming would cause it to read inaccurately. I swim with mine at least twice a week! Is it not good to swim with them? Could that be making it go wacko? Am I slowly killing my $90 investment?

I've been fantasizing about getting one with GPS so I could see my milage...
2005-08-04 8:29 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Something is likely wrong with your monitor. Resting HR of 40, high intensity HR of 229. I would have your monitor checked out, or borrow one from another and test it out. Spiking HR is not uncommon but the numbers you are showing are. Make sure there is not some outside interference going on. This is common and causes what appears to be a HR spike, when in fact it is some external factor wreaking havoc with your monitor.

Base training is training typically done at a lower heart rate (zone 1/2). You feel like you are hardly training at this HR; however, over time, as you build your base, your performance increases within these HR's. Be IronFit and Going Long are both good books that provide sufficient detail about training within specific HR zones. It does work, btw.


2005-08-04 8:33 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
My wife has the same problem. She used to run and her HR was in the high 180's or low 190's and she was still able to chat while running. We thought it was the HRM, but it doesn't seem to be since it works fine on me (Polar S120). Is it better to use the RPE in this case since any max HR formula just doesn't work.

She is currently 7 months pregnant so she is not running anymore, but she wants to get back into serious training in November, and we want to see what the problem is?

As for Allie, should they work at slowing down the pace to lower HR? Or should they use a RPE approach and find the proper HR related to the good RPE.

Does this make sense??
2005-08-04 8:41 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Yes- for a while I was trying to keep my HR between 160 and 180, but I felt like I was walking, so I sort of unofficially switched over the PRE training. Hence the "I feel ok at 180+" running. But it sounds like if I'm gonna build up my base I'll have to suck it up and just run slow for a while. What is recommended- building a base to lower your HR or going on perceived rate of exertion?
2005-08-04 8:49 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
AllieG - 2005-08-04 9:41 AM

What is recommended- building a base to lower your HR or going on perceived rate of exertion?


That exactly it! Isn't base training supposed to be long slow or endurance runs? How do you know you are in that zone, besides how you feel? If your Long Slow HR is high?

I guess that pros will be able to help out on this one.
2005-08-04 9:39 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
There is nothing wrong with the HR monitor....it is interference causing it to go that high, powerlines & cell towers will do that.

As for a MaxHR of 205-207 for someone of 28 and only 5'2" and 114lb that is not too high. Remember the formulas are a guess and not to be hopelessly relied upon. The smaller you are generally means a smaller heart/higher max HR (all things being equal). I'm a guy of 39 5'4" 138lb and have a Max of 194 (tested) and a RHR of around 54 at waking......having a low RHR just means you are fitter than you think.

what I would suggest is learning where your lactate threshold is.........and basing your training off of that. Your lactate threshold is where your body can no longer clear lactate at the rate which you are producing it....in other words you are at your maximum sustainable intensity.

How do you find out......wear your HR monitor in a 10k road race and in the last half of the race start recording your HR........your lactate threshold for running will ba about 3-4 beats below your average HR

Kevin
2005-08-04 10:38 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
I enjoyed reading everyones opinions on this because I am in the same boat. I am 25, 6'2" and 215 lbs. If I am training in some hot conditions, I can maintain 175 for an hour if I really go easy but if I kick it up I can consistantly get into the 210-215 range. My current estimated max is 217. From what I am reading many would suggest that is too high (wrong), so I am not sure what to do. I guess I will test again and look to calculate lactate threshold.
Peace.
Bill


2005-08-04 11:04 AM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Actually the triathletes training bible has good protocols for finding lactate threshold. It certainly has worked for me.

Kevin
2005-08-04 3:11 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Sounds like your HRM might be off a little but that being said. There are times when I am doing sprints when I can get my HR to 203; especialy in 90 degree TN heat. It is dangerous the older you get, when I was I college and on the cross country team our HR where in the high 190's low 200's a lot. It means you are pushing your body to its full failure rate. Lance's is a freak his reasting HR is 32 so dont judge is workout HR to yours.

Check your monitor and ask a DR. to make sure there are not other factors to cause it.
2005-08-04 3:28 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Ok- I'll let go of the Lance thing. My husband makes fun of me because I always ask him questions like "Do you think Lance eats Kashi for breakfast?" He always asks me who cares.

Come to think of it- I'm pretty sure my resting HR must be higher- I gotta check it out. I am going to look in to getting it lower over the fall/winter and will talk to my doc next time I go. Lowering your heart rate at the same speed you used to be pushing it at must be how people can do IMs.

Thanks everybody!
2005-08-04 4:29 PM
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?
Allie,

Check the battery on your HRM. Mine did the same thing and I changed the battery and now it's fine. Hopefully it's that simple.

I did the base training with my running as well. I would train with my HR at or below 150 and it has helped me quite a bit in picking up some speed. It's a great tool. I don't follow any specific method, I've just kind of been doing what some of the runners and triathletes at my club do. Mark Allen gave a seminar at our club last summer (bummer I missed it) and he talked about this method of training as well but I am not knowledgeable enough to give any details.
2005-08-04 5:20 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: High Heart Rates- What's up?

Before worrying about interference and malfunctions, I think maybe the first thing to do would be to actually check your pulse when your HRM is reading 200+ and see what you get.



Edited by RGRBILL 2005-08-04 5:21 PM


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