« The Week of Mondays | Main | The Surprise Run »

February 03, 2006

Interesting Factiods from the HRM

Training with the heart rate monitor has been, if nothing else, interesting. Sure, it was really depressing the first time I strapped it on and watched my HR jump up to 180 after running 12:30 miles for a half hour or so. Because, man. I mean, I know I'm not the best runner out there, and I knew I wasn't in the best shape going into this training cycle, but damn. I didn't think it was that bad, either.

However, with each workout I do, my heart rate gets a little more stable. It takes longer to get up into the "aerobic zone" I'm supposed to be training at. It stays in that zone longer. And, most interestingly, when it starts to move up during the end of my workout? It just doesn't get as high. Yesterday, I ran 4 miles on the treadmill, which took me 50 minutes. I spent 37 of those minutes in my "zone" (70% - 80% of max heart rate reserve). Compared to my first run with the HRM when I only spent 10 minutes "in the zone." (And, no, it wasn't because I took a long time to warm up.) Plus, my max heart rate for the entire workout yesterday? 174. Only 6 bpm over the 80% mark! (Compared to last week when I know I saw it get up to at least 185.)

It's one thing to feel like the runs are getting easier, but it's something else entirely to be able to see them getting easier. It's actually pretty darn cool.

Plus, for a number dork like me? The more data I can take and play with and ponder? The better.

Posted by Dawn at February 3, 2006 05:26 PM