heart rate % - Beginners - Runner's World

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 22:00

I know this may be an old chestnut which has been covered before but I have been guilty of too much effort and subsequent injury following speed work.

I have a heart monitor and have been encoraged to use it more effectively. It is said that 70% of MHR is ok for most running. So far so good?

I have just been out for a nice steady run (7 miles). I was concsious not to push it and felt really comfortable at 135-140.

My MHR is 182 but I have just read on the RW website that 70% of 180 is 127. At 127 it would feel like a real daudle. Plus, I would be out half the night. For interval work that makes 155 around 80%. Am I to beleive that I am supposed to run at 127. Coz I had better start walking!

What is the formula because I do not know many runners who run at that rate.

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 22:08

you cant apply a formula to an individual
you need to test it for yourself

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 22:22

But surely if my MHR is 182 the percentages are a matter of maths fact. Do other runners feel mega-comfortable at a so-called 70% of threashold?

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 22:29

How did you measure your MHR

Glideman

17/02/2004 at 22:45

I can't run at anything below about 130-160, my max is about 185.

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 22:45

qed

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 23:02

If this appears twice, sorry - it just dissapeared off my screen and I don't know where it went!

MHR - the usual maths. 220 minus age (I get it, you just wanted to know how old we all are :) 182

Also 300mtr reps - to almost throwing up point somewhere mid third at 180. It felt fairly conclusive my MHR or perhaps I am just soft!

Same question - do others feel really too comfortable at 70%?

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:06

the others arent in kepping with the formula

its individual

One lass on base training is comfortable at 180

yes"!

slainte

17/02/2004 at 23:17

my max should be 178 but on my bike i often reach 194,(am i dead now...)it dosnt feel good but im not totally out of breath,so either im very fit or my mother DID find me under a gooseberry bush and doesnt know how old i am(also my bodys knackered for a 26 year old!!!!!)

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:21

andat 70% of my max, if i went by formula, id be walking
nope

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:24

my supposed formuls max is 182

well, my comfy training rate is 150

and my LT(done by practical means0 is 175

slainte

17/02/2004 at 23:32

mrs slainte`s doctor once told her she had a resting heart rate of 46,and then said she had the heart of an athlete,and the body of a slob,she`s now lost 3st 8 lb ,and runs 3 times a week to try to get the body to match her heart......

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:32

brave doc

slainte

17/02/2004 at 23:39

not realy,she knew he was right [g]and she`s a sweet heart with a g.s.o.h. she needs it with an old fart like me around...

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:41

your wife, or the doc
:)))))

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 23:45

It is not what your max should be, it is what it is that counts. If you get to 194 on the bike, your max is not 178, whether it should be or not.

I have a friend who runs at the club - he is a better runner than me but when I am at 160 he is at 185. I think his max is 200 - he did spend £100 on a VO2 max test. He also cannot run at 70%. To him that is 140 and he just cannot get that low whilst running - he is at a very slow in-efficient jog.

At a heart rate of 127 I cannot imagine enjoying a run very much, as I said it would be better to walk fast. By the numbers 70% is 127 but it no way feels like 70%. My heart is already at 25-30% when resting so jogging only a little bit more than doubles my heart rate of when I am sitting watching the fish swim around the tank. Maybe I should buy a book! I see there is an idiots guide to heart rate monitors - that must be the one!

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:47

cat
the base traiing thing gets you used to that low HR slowly, and then builds you up

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 23:49

PH.

Your figures are about what I reckon -150 is just about enough for a good run and anything under 140 is nice and gentle. But it just dont figure with the advice we get!

Steve the Bee

17/02/2004 at 23:52

Slainte, did you say 26?

Oh dear I do feel tired all of a sudden.

Plodding Hippo

17/02/2004 at 23:53

No cat
150 is a gentle jog for me