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Discussion: heartrate question
Subject: heartrate question By: Theresa M. Written on: 2006-04-28 10:11:17 Message: Happy Friday all! I got a heartrate moniter a couple of days ago for my birthday, and was really excited to try it. I want to use it mainly for my bike workouts on the trainer when it is harder to feel your excertion. Anyways, I decided to try it out yesterday on a easy 7 mile run. I entered in all of my info to it (age, wt, ht, gender). My max heartrate is 200 (i'm 20), so it said that my zone would be 130-170. But, almost the entire time I was running, my heartrate was about 180, which seemed really high, especially considering my resting heartrate is low- 40s and 50s. Anyway, I was wondering if that could be due to dehydration. I was super busy yesterday and didn't have a chance to drink much so I thought maybe that could be the cause. My other question was if there was any way to avoid a horrible blister heat-rash thing I got on my chest under the moniter piece? Thanks so much for input in advance. Hope everyone is happy and healthy! ~ theresa
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Paul B. Written on: 2006-04-28 10:49:09 Message: Hi Theresa- I don't have solutions to all your questions, but I do have a cuople of points. First, word on the street is that you can't really tell your heartrate by a formula (like 220 minus your age). You should probably do a max-HR test to figure it out. Second, 180 does seem very high for a long run. My experience is that my HR varies within about 10 BPM depending on all sorts of things (hydration, food, sleep, time of day of workout, etc.) so that may account for it. Finally, I've heard that Bodyglide between the transmitter and your chest will help stave away rashes.
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Steve O. Written on: 2006-04-28 11:10:51 Message: Hi Theresa, I am not a heart rate monitor expert but I have used a HR monitor for many years and it is my experience when I am at 180 bpm it is all I can do to breath and I am pretty much going at near maximum for me. There are many variables that make my target zone different than yours. I am older and I am a male are two main ones. There are others that you might consider, for instance your fitness level, ambient temperature ( heat really gets the HR going),level of activity, which you stated it was an easy run. Food and fluiid intake definatly can be factored in I am sure there are others but I believe these are the general ones unless I am forgetting some. I do think that on a easy run your heart rate should have been much lower. If you have a training partner you might borrow their HR monitor and compare numbers. Or you could use the old fashion method which is find a pulse in your neck or wrist, look at your watch and count the heart beats for 15 seconds and multiply it by 4 and that should give you a number close to what your HR monitor is showing. As far as the rash you might try some powder or tightning it up the strap a little to minimize the movement. Some monitor will work over a thin shirt as long as there is slight moisture allowing for the signal to transfer through. One final thing, I have noticed sometimes electronics such as walkmans, Ipods, other exercise equipment (e.i.lifecycle,treadmills) or even HR monitors belonging to other athletes can alter my readings and show a inacurate heart rate. Polar HR monitors tend to be better at not getting interference from other Monitors. I have had several different types and brands. Hope some of this helps, Keep Tri-ing
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: PAUL C. Written on: 2006-04-28 12:33:30 Message: If you goto your local doctors office and ask for the EKG gel and use that on the monitor that should help. or I think you could buy it at a surgical supply place. I THINK body glide would intere with the signal because of the general consistency of it and because of the ingredients. I had metioned in another post, that I don;t feel near good enough until my HR is into my LT zone, then I can run for a ling time. Dehydation, even in moderate effect, can raise your HR and BP, because your blood will actually slightly thicken due to lack of h2o. As the above mentioned, HR will fluctulate around 10 bpm's on any give day and any given workout. I like to use my HR monitor as a tool for evaluation instead of a workout diagnostic. Try "P.E."( perceived exertion: scale of 1 to 10.....1 being no excerise and 10 being full bore). I find that to be the better judge of "fitness" and increased fitness than HR alone. Just my opinion, hope it helps! P.
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Jamie M. Written on: 2006-04-28 18:08:29 Message: I am a big fan of the HRM and use it on all my work outs but have learnt to not LIVE by it. Some nights I go for a run and my heart rate will not drop below 167 for the whole work out but on an exhertion level I feel great. I can run the same distance another night and not peak above 150. Just Thursday I went for a 8k run and my HR was 143-145 for the last 31 minutes and I thought I had had a really stressful day. It's a guide. Can't help with the rash thing I've never experienced it but I normally just put water on the elctrodes and sit it under my chest.
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Amanda H. Written on: 2006-05-05 10:54:26 Message: If it makes you feel any better I just started training and got my heart rate monitor the other day. I'm having a heck of a time keeping my heart rate down during easy runs. But I figure its my fitness level. Even though I've been in the Military for over 5 years now I've never had to monitor my heart rate. I'm learning that you need to keep your heart rate at a certain level to proceed in fitness even if you don't "feel" like its working. Did I make any sense? I have to keep reminding myself that I'm training for endurance not speed just yet. Well if anything I wanted to let you know your not the only newbee! Manda
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Lauren M. Written on: 2006-05-05 12:17:58 Message: Yes! Your HR can be messed up due to dehydration!!! Before buying stuff etc, just make sure you are hydrated. Give it a try.
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Kimberly H. Written on: 2006-05-05 13:21:09 Message: I have a love/hate relationship with my HRM. I love how it lets me target my workouts, but hate the strap and the nagging "beep" when I'm out of range. I feel like I'm on a leash. Anyway, yes, dehydration, and even caffeine (a more likely cuprit) can give you an elevated heart rate. And, as much as it sucks, as mentioned before, you need to do a max heart rate test to get your true range. Here's an online calculator with a couple different ways of finding your ranges if you want to play with that in the meantime. Good luck. http://ottawarun.com/heartrate.htm Cheers, Kimberly
Subject: RE: heartrate question By: Jamie M. Written on: 2006-05-05 20:16:14 Message: As a newbie who can not run far or fast I have struggled to stay within my target range. I have persisited though and I am now beginning to reap the rewards. My runnin gis getting longer and faster and after my first 1/2 marathon next week I will regroup and use the next 3 months to focus on speed work. All the pictures in the books start to make sense now about how the base fitness triangle works. Every year it gets bigger. I just need to take my time! And remeber as a rule your heart rate is about 10 beats less on the bike then when running.
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