Do my HR numbers during workouts sound okay?

Pangea250

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.

cfredz

200 minus 47 is 153, not 173

Pangea250

200 minus 47 is 153, not 173

Ooops, that should be 220. I'll fix it.

ttippie2000

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.