NewsBirdie said:I started running about 3 months ago. I run between 1-3 times a week
(3 is my goal). My average run lasts about 30 minutes. I've started
taking my pulse and the last few times it was 168 (taken with my
fingers on my neck). I'm 31, in relatively good shape, weigh 72kg
(158 pounds). I just took my pulse while sitting here searching this
group and it was 72. The basic calculations (I know they're not
accurate) give me a MHR of 190. So this means I'm running at 88%,
which from my reading seems to be a little high. My goal is twofold:
Combat stress and burn up some body fat.
My question is should I be worrying about my MHR?
no - unless it's 0 or jumps erratically 😉
Quoted message said:Should I just run
my 30 minutes and enjoy myself?
yes, esp. if you're running for stress relief
Quoted message said:Should I try slowing down a bit and
walking during my run to keep my HR lower?
if you want. I'd pay more attention to breathing and whether you can
carry on a conversation in complete sentences than heart rate.
Quoted message said:
I've been researching the HRM watches and I'm interested, but I'm
afraid it'll just be a gadget that I'll use for a few weeks and then
no longer need.
Depends if you're a gadget freak or not 😉
Quoted message said:I've read lots of posts of people who love their HRM
and others who say they don't use them much after the newness wears
off. So I think the answer to the above questions will influence my
decision. if I can just run at 88% (I assume this will go down a bit
once I get in better shape) without worrying then maybe I don't need
the HRM afterall. What do you think?
No one "needs" a hrm or a watch for that matter. The basics of running
are to put on good running shoes for you and your terrain, and go run.
I train weirdly compared to everyone else here, but here's what works
for me. I run for fun and to relax, but also to be challenged (= I like
hilly trails). I was totally clueless about how to train, discovered hrm
and accompanying books, got caught in the newbie's dilemma of how do I
determine max hr if I'm not supposed to be doing speed work yet, don't
have a 10k pace/effort, and the formulas are worthless, etc. Standard
training programs worked fine in spring (snowless), but broke down badly
when we got the first snow and ice in October and it was difficult to do
harder runs (Alaska).
As I learned more about training, I realized most workouts (at least the
ones I was reading) had more to do with LT/VT (lactic / ventilatory
thresholds) or VO2max rather than max hr. (There's some older posts that
deal with LT/VT.) Most beginner runners are probably going to be
training easy (conversational pace - complete sentences), aerobic speed
(the term I learned, and is where "conversation" becomes broken into
phrases), and above LT (talking is very difficult). Keep in mind that
LT/VT are zones so there's no exact hr number or % for them. But if you
are running up a steep enough hill, you *will* know when you transition
if you're paying attention at all to body signals. It's not precise, but
it works well for beginners, you don't need to listen for beeps or watch
hrm so you can keep eyes on trail, etc. I found hrm respond too slowly
to changes to be able to use them on the hills I run. Given all the
approximations with hrm training for beginners (max hr and the
percents), I think there's more problems with hrm training for beginners
than using conversation (easy to talk in complete sentences, phrases,
gasping for breath when much higher).
Another way of logging runs is by perceived effort, for which there are
several formal scales, none of which really made sense to me, but others
use them. I tend to have a bias toward continuous data like hr, rather
than categorical data.
That said, I run (also mt bike, xc ski, and hike) with a downloadable
hrm most of the time, but only use it as a backup to feeling, based
mainly on ease/difficulty in talking (singing or whistling). To me,
downloading the data and checking for patterns has helped me spot some
weak points and monitor progress. While I can run just fine without it,
I do miss the data analysis (my batteries died about a month ago and am
waiting for a newer model to become more common before upgrading).
So no, you don't need a hrm or a watch (except maybe to tell when it's
time to come home). But if you like to process data and/or like techie
things, you might want one. But it sounds like you're not that type.
Remember that running is fun and do whatever works for you to keep it
that way.
Dot
