Heart rate training attempt two - using polar watch properly!

[Cowladyrunning]

I have been using the suggested runs on my polar watch - which of course is linked to HR training. I am finding that I have to walk a great deal just to keep my HR as low as watch requires BUT I'm really surprised by strava results already! Every time I get back strava has something congratulationary to say and usually about extra effort or faster segments! How? Maybe because I'm going at a steadier pace - I'm not sure yet. Overall my times are definately slower but I'm coming back feeling great and not beetroot red and sweaty and it still says I'm gaining fitness. For the first time my watch is happy with my training and says it's productive instead of over reaching or under productive as I was used to seeing. The only thing I'm struggling with is that it trains by time. I am used to planning routes by distance and now find I'm either finishing too far from home or under estimated so I have to turn round and go again to complete time required. It is harder because my timings are different too so I suppose I'll soon learn! I'll stick with it and keep you posted! Attached is a strava screenshot from what I thought was a slow run / walk!

[misswobble Marathon]

great stuff! 😀👍🏃‍♀️

I usually finish a-ways from home so I can walk back. I like to do so as it’s a chance to unkink after the run.

Good luck with the training 🙂

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes I can see the bonus in that. I'll have to have a good think about route planning again!

[GTFC Marathon]

I really like this 😊 I run to distance roughly but am a real advocate of gentle and steady runs (low heart rate). To me the best guide is how you feel when you get back. If breathing returns to normal quickly and if you know you had more in the tank. I also like to walk the first 30-45 seconds of a run (unless it's a fast one). As consistency comes so will the heart rate, pacing and general feel. Really well done though. Give yourself some deserved credit ✅🎖

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you, that's really good to know too. I do feel better on return. I know you do well on your races too 🙌😀. My next event isn't until April so I'm going to stick to training like this.

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Perfect!! Good luck and every now and then do a speed session (whatever that looks like for you) as I'm no expert. This will be tip top then.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to GTFC]

My watch puts me one a week! Just did it ths morning and was allowed in higher HR zones!! I struggled to do 5 minutes at top two zones though as was still going slighlty up hill on my usual route!!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I've heard a lot about low heart rate training, something to think about, seems to be working well for you

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

It's interesting. Last time I tried it I got frustrated as I had an event close and felt I should just keep going fast. Determined to see how it works properly this time though.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Interesting! Look forward to hearing more. Enjoy 😊

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you..... now I've got to keep going - for research purposes!!!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

low heart rate training is the way forward. I did a lot of this a couple of years back and now it’s natural for me and I don’t need to train to do it any more.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

That's good to know, thank you!