I've done the programme a couple of times and completed this round before Christmas. I've recently become aware of my heart rate monitored by my fit bit Alta Hr. When I run, I run slow. Previously running meant my breathing increased but wasn't difficult, I could talk albeit a little breathless, at the end of the run I would recover quickly and would feel like I had done some exercise.
Just lately though I've been looking at heart rate, I'd not bothered about it before. According to my fit bit I am running my whole run at peak heart rate when I should be aiming for Cardio rate. I am 46 and over weight. My max heart rate it reckons is 174 with my peak starting at 147.
Previously I'd been running at a rate of about 155 - 165 getting a little higher if I got to an incline. Looking at the numbers this seems like I'm pushing myself too much. But physically my breathing and how I feel when I run doesn't feel like I am.
Today I went out with my heart rate in mind and ran slow, and I mean really slow. I was only just about running. Over the 30mins my breathing only quickend slightly. Had I been with someone I could have had a full conversation and probably even burst into song if the mood went that way lol. At the end I didn't need any recovery and I didn't feel like I'd done any exercise. My heart rate registered as 146-154 raising to 157 on an incline. But this still showed me as being in the peak area.
Should I be worrying about my heart rate or should I be concentrating on how I feel/my breathing etc. I am worrying about pushing myself and straining my heart but at the same time I don't want to do too little, if that makes sense. Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Written by
Sezza2u
Graduate
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As someone who did C25K 5 years ago and now concentrating on marathons and somewhat obsessed by heart-rate training, I can say from your excellent descriptions that NO, you shouldn't be worrying at all. Why?
1. You're forcing yourself to run very slowly and your perceived effort is very low (breathing etc). That is the most important thing. You are absolutely NOT pushing yourself or putting your heart under unnecessary strain. GOOD!
2. How do you know your device is telling you the truth? Wrist-based heart-rate monitors (HRMs) are notoriously dodgy. Some good ones, but a lot of bad ones. It's possible that your device is actually measuring your cadence (steps per minute) - it's called 'cadence-lock' and it's a very common issue with wrist-based HRMs. It happens when your device (optical sensor) fails to lock onto your pulse and instead locks onto your hand movement (linked to your foot movement) and reads that instead.
3. If your device is telling you the truth, then HR of 146-154 (at an age of 46) isn't overly concerning.
4. Not sure what you or the device means by 'peak'. Can you screenshot and post a photo of your HR graph/plot?
Well done on your running journey so far. It sounds to me like your actual running is fine, you are doing all the right things. My personal view is not to get hung up on your heart rate, unless you are using it for specific training. If you are concerned about your heart health then a trip to the GP is a good idea, otherwise I would say relax and enjoy your running
I agree with John. I have the same fitbit as you and I'm sure it records fiction, wristbands are definitely unreliable. Listen to your body and how you are feeling rather than the stats. If you are genuinely worried about your heart, check your blood pressure and resting heart rate with your gp or chemist. They are far better indicators of your health. In the meantime, just enjoy your running.
Thanks for the reply. My resting heart rate is fine, when I have some time off running it is in the low 70's when I run regular it's between 65 and 70. I had my blood pressure checked recently and it's low. I've always had low blood pressure. So I guess I will ignore the fitbit and judge it off how I feel. Thanks again
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