Do my HR numbers during workouts sound okay?

Pangea250
Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I run, but I still consider myself a relatively new runner. I weigh 160 lbs. I've lost 74 lbs and have 30 more to go.

I'm 47 years old, so my max HR is 220 minus 47, or 173. When I run, I am at about 150 - 155 for the majority of the run, or 88%. When I hit 165 (95%), I am very winded.

Is this too much for me? I'm already running quite slow. I couldn't really slow down any more. In fact, I want to work on speeding up a bit. In the reading I've done on HR during exercise, it says to aim for 85%, but only because trying to workout at 100% would simply be too difficult.

So I've probably just answered my own question. It looks like 150 - 155 is a good range for me while running.

Replies

  • cfredz
    cfredz Posts: 292 Member
    200 minus 47 is 153, not 173
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    200 minus 47 is 153, not 173
    Ooops, that should be 220. I'll fix it.
  • ttippie2000
    ttippie2000 Posts: 412 Member
    A 150-155 tempo for a max heart rate of 173 sounds fine for intervals or tempo runs but a bit high for baseline cardio. I suspect 155 will be tapping into your anaerobic system, which is fine, but you should probably get your aerobic system as well, which will be lower. There are a couple of HRM training books out there that go over all the heart rate formulas. Alternatively, you can look much of that up on Polar Electro's website.

    The 220-age is a rule of thumb that may or may not fit you. One way to be sure is to schedule a stress EKG with a cardiologist to test your max heart rate. I did it, and it was fun. Then you have a max HR number that's more specific to you. Of course, if your heart rate monitor ever shows a number higher than your max heart rate, then that is your new Max HR.

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