Stopping to reduce heart rate

[Dobbo57]

Hi. I seem to get into some negative thinking whilst running 5k and above and tell myself I have to stop to reduce my heart rate. This morning I ran 6k and stopped three times for a minute or so each time. Does anyone else do this? I want to be able to run non stop but I’m 57 and maybe this is just as it should be or am I kidding myself? 😊

[damienair Administrator]

Your being very hard on yourself. Don’t be. I’m running now for 3 years since completing the C25K plan. I’ve ran 5K, 6K and 10K road races. I ran 7K yesterday evening and took 3 breaks along the way. I still ran 7K. I can run 5K at the moment without stopping. Last summer I could run 15K without stopping. I’m now training to get back up to 10K. So I have started off with a 7K loop. Tomorrow evening I will do it again and hopefully only take 1 break at the halfway point. Then I’ll try and take the break at 5K, then 6K and then hopefully I’ll be running it all. Once I’m running all of the 7K I’ll try to run 1OK. But for the first few attempts I’ll have to take a break or two. There is nothing wrong with taking a break. I do it all the time when doing interval training. When your in a race or parkrun and running in a crowd, your driven to complete the run without taking a break. A crowd and an atmosphere will pull you along. Training on your own is harder. My brain is screaming at me sometimes to take a break. But I’m a race I’ll push on.

Damien

[Dobbo57 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien. Really helpful and reassuring 👌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Maybe it’s just natural to you Dobbo. Some people’s heart rates are naturally pretty high during exercise (mine’s naturally very very low so we’re all different). Either that or perhaps you could slow your pace down a tad and put no pressure on yourself time-wise which might help. Either way, don’t be down on yourself. Some runs aren’t what we hope they’d be. No worries, move on! 😀

[Dobbo57 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you. I just beat myself up for stopping but I guess I’m doing the best I can and should therefore be proud 👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dobbo57]

Absolutely. Any run is a win, and lots of people regularly pop in walking breaks. You’re doing brilliantly! 👏👏👏

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Are you monitoring your heart rate in the middle of the run?

I have never had a clue what my heart rate is doing until just recently, when I got a new Garmin. My old Garmin didn't have a HR monitor so I just trusted that as I felt ok... I was! A very old fashioned approach maybe but it has stood me in good stead over many miles! 👍

When I got my new watch, I initially found myself looking at my HR after a run and thinking "Oo, that's a bit high, there," but am now much less bothered. As someone else said, we all have varying heart rates. I prefer to run by how I feel.

Obviously, if you have a relevant medical condition or continue to be concerned about your HR, then a GP would be able to reassure you but if you are otherwise fit and healthy, I am sure you will be ok. Good luck.🙂

[Dobbo57 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. I know it’s high because I can feel it and I get to the point where my breathing is quite laboured. After stopping for a minute or two it drops to a normal level and I’m able to continue 👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Dobbo57]

Could you drop your pace a bit? Sometimes this makes all the difference. Good luck.🙂

[Dobbo57 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I can try. Thank you x

[damienair Administrator in reply to Dobbo57]

That’s absolutely normal. As you get fitter you’ll feel stronger and breathing won’t be an issue.

[SlowLoris]

You just need to slow down a bit. Often easier said than done I know but stick with it.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Slow down! What is your heart rate? Do you monitor it on a watch? If toe concerned about it, a watch with heart rate monitor would be useful as it’d reassure you. But slow down 👍🏽

[Diamondshoes]

I have high blood pressure, controlled by tablets. I often take my blood pressure before & after a run and it is much lower after the run! Get your GP to check it but in general exercise is the best thing you can do!

[Flattttt]

Those 1 minute re sets are amazing. I come out of them like a new man / a fresh runner.

The ultimate is always the same:

30 seconds of walking

30 seconds of standing still

30 seconds of walking because I think I should, or better yet..another 30 of standing or meandering.

Then -- a fresh start! I can run like a champ!