Heart Rate during TT

Winne said:

I recently completed a 10KM Time Trial and monitored my heart rate (HR) for the first time. The course was a 1 KM flat oval, and I pushed myself to the max. My average HR was 173 and my max HR was 183. I'm a 54 year old male, and I'm wondering if I pushed my heart too hard with this effort. I felt fine during and after the race, but I don't want to cause myself a heart or health issue. I've been working out 5-10 hours a week for many months. I can ride for extended periods with my HR in the 140s and even in the 150s, but this is uncharted waters for me. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

If in any doubt you should seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner before embarking on hard training. This particularly applies to those who are over 35, those who don't have a training recent background, are overweight, have been sedentary or have a family history of health issues, esp anything to do with heart/vascular system.

As for the heart rates, it's all relative and hard is hard. The actual HR is irrelevant. Some beat faster, others more slowly. It's how hard it was for you that matters.