I shouldn't have bought that HRM...

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

(I've read healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and it gives me some reassurance. I feel fine when running so maybe I am fine. I feel better just for having written this down.)

I bought a CooSpo Bluetooth chest strap HRM and ran with it for the first time and it's scared the bejeesus out of me. I went out for the W5 4K run and it recorded a steady 160, going up to 170 when running upslope/upwind. That's a little worrying as "the MHR (roughly calculated as 220 minus your age) is the upper limit of what your cardiovascular system can handle during physical activity." and I'm 65 so the MHR (which I "shouldn't" get anywhere near when running) is 155. Even worse is that when I sprinted the last 500m (at 4 min/km pace) it went up to 190! It fell to 130 after 2 minutes of the warm down walk and then back down to my resting rate around 60 when I got home. When I was running my regular pace I could have held a conversation pretty easily and I was not distressed at all (I ran the 8K at that pace last week) and even the sprint was more fun than anything else (I was glad when I stopped though!)

I thought maybe the HRM was misreading so I went on a "test walk" this morning - recording my HRM and stopping a few times to measure with my phone and also manually. There's not a close correlation between any of the readings but the average from the HRM is 100 and the one time I sat down to take readings (which took several minutes because I'm not very good at it) all three methods agreed it had fallen to 72 - but that may well be just a fluke. Anyway, I now have more faith in the HRM but that means I'm left with heart rate readings that match those of my 30-years-younger-seriously-fit daughter when she runs.

So, do I get myself down to see my doctor on Monday (I know I have one, I saw her only a year ago ? I think I have to if I'm going to continue and actually get to 10K, I just hate the thought that I might be wasting her time if the real problem is with the technology I'm using and not me. If I don't then I'm going to be worried about carrying on running (at the very least, running the way I like to do - quickly and getting quicker) and that's even worse.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

The real problem is certainly partly with the max HR calculation, we are all different and it doesn’t take anything but age into the equation, it’s a guideline. It’s possible to undergo some tests and have a much more personalised estimate. The calculation you did is for average fitness, and the average 65 year old can’t run 8k. Your GP may actually be able to help with finding a better set of figures for you.

[Flyingred Graduate10]

I had a similar experience to you (I'm 62) and recorded 188 when doing intervals. I see a peak of about 149 when running a steady 5k in 32 minutes. I just took it as evidence that my fitness is above average but since learned that my blood pressure is high. I'm booked in for an ECG this week. There's no harm in seeking reassurance from your doctor.

[theoldfellow]

I had something similar (I'm 68) and record a very low (48) resting heart rate. So I asked the Doctor about it. He took one look at my Parkrun times and weekly distances, held my wrist for a minute and said 'get out of here, you're just fitter than you should be at your age.' Then he booked me for an ECG anyway, which showed he was right.

It will not hurt to get a medical opinion, but I suspect you are the same.

[whibbles]

I am 66 and have been running for nearly two years now. I bought a Garmin watch and noticed that I often exceeded my MHR ( the 220 minus your age seems to be only a rough guideline ) but like you I knew I was working hard but didn't feel distressed and seem to recover quickly. My first Parkrun was in May 2017 with an average heart rate (AHR) of 145 and a MHR of 179 in a time of 34:33. Yesterday, I ran the same Parkrun in 28:21 with a AHR of 132 and MHR of 149. My resting heart rate is often in the low 50s. I did mention this to my doctor who use the analogy of a car rev counter and said that its OK to go into the red zone for short periods. Do I worry about this ? No, I worry more about getting injured as I've had several achilles problems which has stopped me running ! However, I have set my watch to vibrate when I reach a MHR of 160 and would certainly slow down/stop if I ever felt any signs of distress. I have run one charity 10k in Sep 2018 with a time of 1:05 and it felt wonderful but "unfortunately" my Garmin had to be sent away for a guarantee replacement so I never recorded the run. I couldn't agree more with Flyingred that there's no harm in seeking reassurance from your doctor. Finally, last week at my local Parkrun, we had a first timer who was 80 years old and run it in ....pause... 31:29 so I'll be trying to emulate him in 14 years time !

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

I am another who has a high maximum heart rate mine is 188. I know this because when it get to that I can’t sustain the run anymore and every fibre in my body is telling me to slow down. I did go to my Gp, but only because I have a fast slide when it come to my heart rate it starts to climb after 5/6 mins of running and not stop till it gets to 188, so it was causing some distress to my running. My Gp said they would have a little check and ecg later my heart is great shape. I also had a shed loads of tests to donate a kidney to my husband in 2017 and again my heart is great just quirky with a high maximum. They told me best to run/walk. The averages are just that, as you run you will know when you push yourself, you will have those runs, sometimes in an event or Parkrun when you just think I can do this a bit faster and you will push it. Over time with experience of those sort of runs you will begin to see you maximum heart rate and then when you have that information you can find your own personal goals. Personally I prefer that way of finding it rather than some of the test that are online because it is natural and less stressful on the body because you only will push yourself when you totally feel like it rather than one time when you are told too. But if you feel fine when you run don’t worry about just record it to get a better picture, but if at any time you are worried get it checked out. My GP was more than Happy to test me. Happy running.

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Thanks for all the reassurance and advice, I'm a lot less freaked out now than I was. I borrowed a Fitbit today and went for a short test run (short! Not long ago I'd have thought 3 km a marathon!) so now I'm sure that the readings are accurate and not some technical glitch. I will see my doctor to get her opinion, I have a much better idea of the situation thanks to you.

[theoldfellow in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Worthwhile just adding that it's always right to get a professional opinion on medical stuff. Everyone here is on your side, we are in this running thing together after all. But it's damned difficult to do a proper medical diagnosis and health assessment in a Social Media setting!

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn in reply to theoldfellow]

Absolutely, but this group has given me invaluable background to take in to the appointment - plus the confidence that my readings are not impossibly high and caused by me setting the HRM up wrong!

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Been to the doctor and she said looking at my other health stats I had nothing to worry about. Onwards and upwards, 10K here we come!