Of Mice and Marathons

Way to get the miles in Jason. Not fun to fight the equipment. Maybe a screwdriver and YouTube to get around the governor? ;)

Jason what's your max HR? Just curious where those numbers put you at a heart rate reserve percentage.

I am guessing they aren't pre-programmed, Matt, so that sounds like a great idea!

Bret: I wish I knew. Calculators suggest as high as 191-195, but that is probably vomit effort. My resting heart rate is 40-43 usually. I would say it is actually lower as some other formulas suggest (185-186). When I start hitting 180+ I working on end of race pace as I did on Saturday's workout when I was hitting 179-182. Another 5 or 6 minutes would have wasted a race effort. I am still sore and I rarely am so I am guessing I got some buildup in the legs.

I think 164-165 is cruising marathon effort (just guessing by feel) and pushing maybe 170 at the very end.

This day's run was 162 average with a max of 178. Generally I like to stay in the 145-158 range and only approach 160 at the end, but I had to push to get the miles in with the shutoff.

Ok so if you are 28 or 29 years old - 192 makes sense.

HRR (Heart Rate Reserve) Effort to stay aerobic should not exceed about 80%. Here's the formula in case you don't already have it: = MaxHR - Resting HR *__% + RHR = Target BPM.

192-43 * 70% + 43 = 147.3 (70% HRR effort or 1/2 effort according to Lydiard)

85% HRR would put you right at 170 BPM to stay aerobic. Anything over 170 is anaerobic.

If the effort for the run is easy/aerobic - 145-155 is the right zone to be in - and looks like that's where you are.

Thanks for doing the math. I like that this takes into account resting heart rate given that I could be 39/40 to as much as 45-47.

After I got back from injury I started using the HR monitor. I don't put too much into it, but I think it is very beneficial for easy runs (and workouts on the treadmill). If you are at 150-155 in the first few minutes you will be too high (probably) by the end of the run.