Covid & Running = Confusing???

[Adflab]

Hello

I work in an industry that is customer facing in peoples houses. I have been getting a little worried about watching Covid and the unknowingly passing on to other people, so I took an antibody test. The test came back stating that I have had covid and I have antibodies.

I'm very relieved that I have not had any obvious symptoms, which is nice to know that I have antibodies.

Whilst trying to work out, when I got it, I have come to the conclusion that it must have been November/ December, when I struggled with running. I had to cut a few runs short, due to being breathless and very achey. Despite, this, none of my stats, looked particularly bad.

My 5k runs have been ok'ish, averaging around 33-35 minutes each time. Yesterday, I did the fastest 5k run I have ever done with Strava telling me I had PB's in fastest mile, 2 miles and overall run. My heart rate was an average of 165 bpm, so no problem there. However, the last km, saw my heart go up to 209 bpm, which was a surprise, as the previous highest was 187bpm. I have had no ill effects, I didn't feel overly tired and everything seems normal.

Is this due to having had Covid?

Very confused.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I’m slightly obsessed with low heart rate training. In September my heart rate seemed to be going really high for no reason. I got really down about it. In the middle of a long run I decided to stop and tighten my watch. Instantly my heart rate dropped right down. The same thing just happened to me. Two weeks of high readings. Yesterday I remembered what I did before. I tightened my watch mid run. Instantly the heart rate dropped. Today, I went out with it on that one notch tighter and my heart rate stayed low all run. Something you could try. Sometimes I think it’s static that causes spikes. Try wiping a bit of spit on the sensor too. True!

[Adflab Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Good advice, cheers. Will try that

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I agree with Tasha99 . Try tightening your watch to start with.

I have a notoriously low HR. It’s always been that way and it’s just me. So if my stats look iffy (one occasion is was over 200!) and I otherwise feel fine, I know it’s a glitch. Watches sometimes locks onto cadence which is a well known issue.

So now I make sure it’s worn tighter and slightly higher up and it seems fine. Oh, I also had covid mildly back in November and my HR has been unaffected. 😀