Heart Rate Training

After graduating from C25K and running in consolidating mode, I’ve started to focus my runs on my heart rate which means I may have to slow my pace down at times, particularly towards the end, if my heart rate goes above a certain rate. I found an interesting article which I attach for you perusal and comment.

Http://runnersworld.com/beginner/a...

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

I know some folks here use Heart Rate Training and will find this useful. Thanks for posting Dave 🙂

[Maz1103 Graduate10]

I've been trying this for about 6 weeks now. I can definitely run (much slower) in zone 2 and 3 for much longer than when I started so definitely an improvement there. I'm a little disappointed that I find it quite an effort to speed up every now again to my old pace, almost as if I have got too used to snail 🐌 pace. Maybe it's because I am tired anyway at the moment, or maybe I need to just persevere !

[Hidden in reply to Maz1103]

I think persevere is the best option as you’ve only been doing it for about 6 weeks. It is a useful concept that should keep you out of the danger zone of long runs at 95% output.

[Maz1103 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I will keep trying. I can now do 3k or just under in zone 2 as opposed to 1k the first time. I do find the hotter humid temperatures make it more difficult though.

[Hidden in reply to Maz1103]

I run slower too when it’s hit and humid. Running should be fun not punishment.Keep 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Yes I read this yesterday, since we started running my heart rate has slowed naturally as I’ve got fitter but interesting to see what happens if someone slows down to keep heart rate low on purpose

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Being 71 was a big incentive!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Being 65 is a good incentive too

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Another tortoise!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Yup

[nowster Graduate10]

My really long runs are usually between Zones 3 and the bottom end of Zone 4.

I'm sure as I do more of them the average HR will drop. Hills and heat are my nemesis in that task, though.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

I’m more in zone 4 mainly, then zone 3 and zone 5 for a bit,. I find it’s hard to keep a consistent heart rate for the whole run as I tend to speed up half way though and when my Garmin tells me my heart rate is up, I slow down again. I think it’s the way to go though.

[sofaspud]

Thanks so much for sharing this article, VeganDave. I’ve been dabbling in HRT over the past couple of months and just bought a HR monitor a few weeks ago. The readings are massively different from the readings on my watch so I’m glad I went for the chest strap. The article is very clear and when I did the calculations, I noticed they match exactly the numbers for the zones on my watch. I suppose I must have told Mr. Garmin my age at some point and he automatically calculated the zones!

I’m glad to know a bit more about the technique so many thanks to you!

[dijep Graduate10]

I started using HR training when I started working towards 10k and I felt it really helped I'm convinced I'd never have got to 10k without using it.

[Hidden in reply to dijep]

I think you are right, it helps to slow you down and control the run better. It’s also helpful for people our age not to over stress the heart!!