Polar F4 is discouraging!!!!!!

MeanderingMammal

RockstarWilson wrote: »

Just for informational purposes, I am 28, 5'9" & 200. My max HR is about 192, so my 90% is in the low 180s. When running, I like to stay between 165-175 bpm, as this will maximize both my lap times and the amount of miles I can run at the pace that correlates with my hr. Right now, that pace is 6.2 mph, up from a base of 4.8 mph, looking to improve to 6.5 mph and more. If I ran balls to the wall and stepped into the 180s, this would limit the amount of laps I can run. I dont compete against anyone, I am just looking to improve myself. But anyone can do zone training to improve their fitness level. Period.

So there's a difference between using HR to determine your pace, and zone training. You're correct, a lower level of effort can be sustained for a longer period of time, but that's not zone training.

The concepts behind zone training are that training in different HR ranges have different physiological effects. Whilst that is correct the size of the effect is negligible until one has a solid performance base.

Essentially for someone using a limited functionality consumer grade HRM then there is little value in zone training. You're largely talking about the idea of the fat burning zone, so whilst operating in the fat burning zone does burn a slightly higher proportion of fat during the session there is more effect from operating in a higher intensity range, so burning more gross calories. A slightly higher prioportion of a lower gross calorie expenditure is still less than a smaller proportion of a more significant expenditure.

I'd also observe that for it to become meaningful one must have a good knowledge of the actual MHR, which needs to be determined in a lab. Again for someone working with a device like an FT4 that lab testing is probably disproportionate for their needs. If I ever get to the stage when I'm running a 45 minute 10K it might be worth the expense to get me down to 42 minutes or so.

My best 10K time is 47 minutes at the moment, so I've got a couple of years until I'm thinking about it.

Mr_Knight

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

My best 10K time is 47 minutes at the moment, so I've got a couple of years until I'm thinking about it.

By then, power meters for runners will be ubiquitous.

http://blog.stryd.com/

brianpperkins

Mr_Knight wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

My best 10K time is 47 minutes at the moment, so I've got a couple of years until I'm thinking about it.

By then, power meters for runners will be ubiquitous.

http://blog.stryd.com/

Cycling power meters are just now approaching affordable status for normal people .... it will be years before those for running become widespread.

Mr_Knight

brianpperkins wrote: »

Mr_Knight wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

My best 10K time is 47 minutes at the moment, so I've got a couple of years until I'm thinking about it.

By then, power meters for runners will be ubiquitous.

http://blog.stryd.com/

Cycling power meters are just now approaching affordable status for normal people .... it will be years before those for running become widespread.

We're already there.

That one is $150, today (if you can get to the top of the backorder list).

brianpperkins

Mr_Knight wrote: »

brianpperkins wrote: »

Mr_Knight wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

My best 10K time is 47 minutes at the moment, so I've got a couple of years until I'm thinking about it.

By then, power meters for runners will be ubiquitous.

http://blog.stryd.com/

Cycling power meters are just now approaching affordable status for normal people .... it will be years before those for running become widespread.

We're already there.

That one is $150, today (if you can get to the top of the backorder list).

It's a single unit marketplace with that single unit yet relatively untested and evaluated in the wild.

martykatz

**** CAUTION ******
I am a runner and I used a heart monitor and pushed myself way past the recommended heartbeats per minute for my age,size etc. for many years.
Well when I asked and inquired if it was okay to push the limit I really never got much guidance, by my doctors or on-line.
I developed an Aortic Aneurysm and my deep suspicion was that I pushed myself well too far even though I felt great after my workouts and runs.
My surgeon and cardiologist cant say what caused the aneurysm ( bad genes, bad luck?)
and we really don't know the consequences of pushing the heart too fast and too hard.
But if I had to do it again I would run with caution, at least not continuously at maximum.
Just my thoughts