Is it normal?

Hi again everyone, I've not posted for a while due to some health issues and surgery. I got the all clear from the cardio team a couple of weeks ago as well I'm slowly getting back to my normal self thank goodness! Over the last few weeks I have been on the treadmill, but last week I decided to go out in the fresh air which I love and noticed that I seem to be faster off the treadmill! I thought it would have been the other way around? Outside I can't seem to keep my heart rate within sensible limits (it justs goes sky high), but have no trouble keeping it steady on the treadmill (I set the incline at 1%) - I have timed myself and am only a bit faster outside?

[Rignold]

What do you define as a sky high heart rate?

Slow down would seem the obvious answer. Unlike a treadmill, outside it is only you who defines your speed - the ground remains pretty static.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

thanks for your reply. Heart rate goes up to max. I basically jog at slow walking pace. I use a track around a lake which is mostly flat. I don't mind being slow, but I can only jog outside for 100yards max and have to walk again!

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

What are you defining as max heart rate?

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

220 - 55 (age) = 55. This is what the cardio dept told me to use as well. I stop before it gets that high, but it usually soars up to high 50's very quick. Maybe its something to do with worry!

When I used to run before my health problems, I never thought about heart rate, but now I know about it I seem to be fixated on it instead of trusting my instincts as before.

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

Hmm. There was another post the other day about this subject. The 220 minus age figure is a very rough gauge. I am 49. That would make my max heart rate 171. I regularly exceed that in workouts. I have seen my HR exceed 200 while absolutely redlining. I'm not advocating doing that, but it clearly demonstrates that my 'Maximum' is a lot more than the formula suggests. (I have actually seen my heart rate hit 340m but that was an unhealthy incident). I seem to think IannodaTruffe mentions that he regularly runs for an hour or more at 160 plus at the age of 61.

I certainly would not advise anyone to go against the advice of their cardiologist, but I would suggest you take the 220 thing with a pinch of salt. I certainly would not allow worry to exacerbate the issue. In my experience of hispitals in the last couple of years, they tend to give advice on the extreely over cautious side for fear of litigation. If you can find a doctor who a.) understands exercise and b.) is prepared to have a robust conversation with you about actual risk etc then I would greatly recommend doing that. I spent an entire year doing no exercise at all due to the boilerplate advice given me by the cardio dept, which actually had a detriental effect on my health, and am now cleared to do high intensity exercise again and actively encouraged to do so (although, in fact, sustained low intensity exercise, like distance running, is now verboten... go figure...)

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

Thanks for your advice, it is really encouraging to know that others exceed their max and are still alive, like you say the cardiologists have to cover themselves, I just believed they knew best, but having thought about it what you say makes sense. I think I tend to panic when I see the figure getting high and that probably makes me feel worse. I run because I enjoy doing so and this heart rate scenario is taking away the enjoyment. Whilst I need to be careful, I will stop myself from looking at the stats while running and check when I get home. I will try to trust my own judgement again as long as I feel ok.

[roseabi in reply to Hidden]

220 - 55 = 165

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

Thanks for pointing out my error! and in the words of Captain Mainwaring, I was wondering who would spot that first lol!

[roseabi in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down more...would be my advice too... what kind of surface are you running on outside..?

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Outside I am on a track, fairly even and mostly flat and I go slow. It is impossible to go any slower lol. My friend thinks I am anxious about being outside and meeting people, whereas indoors I am comfortable in my home surroundings. I don't know, perhaps I should just trust my instincts as I did before and forget about heart rates!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Instinct and your body' s messages are your best guide... just run and enjoy.. simple as that

I wrote a post about this.. last winter I think!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

It might amuse you

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

I love that post, thanks for the link