Hi Simon, I am looking into running using heart rates, but I don't know enough to be able to help you except that I can point you to a really good .pdf document which is all about
HADD training I think you might find useful. here is the link: angio.net/personal/run/hadd... or there is also a thread on runnersworld.co.uk forums all about heart rate training. Good Luck and well done for giving up the smoking
I am a similar age.. 43, but I have to say I have never ever taken my pulse for anything especially running...I'm a big believer in listening to your body... If I can
feel my heart pounding I slow down... On long runs I know when I'm about empty.. Being a nurse too I think we can get too hung up on stats but they do help paint a picture. If you are worried seek some medical advice but above all listen to your body and enjoy your running....
I had a chat with my GP about my highest heart rate 188 (by the calcs at 43 I should only be hitting 177max), she told me as long as I wasn't feeling dizzy, disorientated or blurry eye sight, I should be fine, that the body has a way of telling us that enough is enough before we hit it.
Your resting heart rate sounds to be a very good one. Mine is a bit higher than that. I was having trouble running and was watching my hr very closely. I found I was running too hard so have had to slow down. I now have learnt how that feels without wearing my monitor so I don't fixate too much on the levels. I try not to go into what they call redline as I find that not only does it do my run in it tires me out for the next couple of days if I stay too long in it. I am trying interval training now and that seems to work between all the ranges which is quite good to learn how it feel on your body so eventually I can run on impulse just listening to my body. Good luck with working out you zones.
I think it highlights an issue for me, which is 'techno' or not techno, that is the proverbial question>!?
When I started running again, I did find myself getting dragged into the fancy clothes, the GPS, detailed training plans, HRMs ! Then I realised that if I bothered to remember, I had started running for 'pleasure'. That pleasure was soon becoming a 'bother' with all the attached paraphernalia one is supposed to have these days (not to mention cost!).
I do remember on my 2nd 5k, I was stood trying to start my GPS tracker, and my HRM, and my MP3 all at the same time.. and suddenly looking at myself with disgust ! This is not what I signed up for !
Hence that run, I turned everything off and had the most glorious, peaceful and rewarding run ever
Yes, I have held onto the HRM since then, for various reasons I seem to have gotten paranoid about my little ticker.
However, now on reflection, and after reading the above... I'm going to try giving it a miss.
Let's see what happens ... just me, a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and some running shoes. Hmmm, ok I might keep the stopwatch, but promise not to look at it until the run is over !
And yes, you are right, a chat with GP would not be a bad thing.
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