Theoretical max HR question

msalowit
msalowit Posts: 15 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I got a brand new wahoo blue. Took it for a run. I've been running for 5 days now and did 50 minutes @ 10:04 average.

I've got it linked to iPhone, all seems well. Comes up with an average heart rate of 172 and at age 42 my "theoretical max" is 180. Now color me crazy, but I'm either doing the impossible aerobic workout, I'm extraordinarily lucky, or someone's fudging calculations to keep people from trying to get a high score.

Ideas? Yes I looked at the graph and the heart rate jibes nicely with the run.

Replies

  • numsquat
    numsquat Posts: 133
    Your "theoretical" max is wrong. Most formulas put my theoretical in the 176-179 range, I've recorded as high as 183 on two different HRM's. I use the formula of max hr (measured) + 5 for my max to input on my HRM, which should be pretty close to a cardiac stress test if I were to have one. I test it occasionally with a race speed 5K immediately followed my a three block uphill sprint to get my measured max hr (have an actual route for this).

    The 172 for an average could be a little off but not by much if it is. I will hit at 172 (92% of max for me) on a tempo run for a mile or two (out of 5-6 mile run) and go higher when doing interval sprints but to average 172 for 50 minutes is a fast, tough run for most people. My tempo run this morning I maxed at 175, averaged 160 running 60 minutes at a 11:40 pace. Your pace and what shape you're in could easily have a 172 ave.
  • msalowit
    msalowit Posts: 15 Member
    I must be in better shape than I think. I started real running again to both lose weight and get my bp down. But I've lived and worked on a medium sized horse farm for five years. But it doesn't seem to burn calories :) so I'm a reasonably fit 196.

    So I started running after a 2 year hiatus with a 30 minute run, have ramped up 5 minutes per day, held between 10:00 and 10:48 average each day, and my hrm finally came in so gave it a go... The run is a roughly .2 mile circuit with 136 feet or so vertical top to bottom on a 6 percent or so slope.
  • numsquat
    numsquat Posts: 133
    Yeah, your average hr would be in the right range. I tend to use my first mile as a warm up, never going over 78% max (I have my HRM to show %, easier for me to remember my ranges), take it up to 85% the second mile then go up to 92% and hold between 90-92% for the next 2 miles then back down to 85% to finish out 1-2 miles. My average will be lower than if I went harder the whole run. Your maxHR only really matters if you are setting your HRM to do %, your average is all you need for calorie burn results and workout ranges (if you do that sort of thing). I do train in ranges and it's easier to remember a 2 digit number/range than 3 digits . Kinda stupid but works for me.
  • msalowit
    msalowit Posts: 15 Member
    Awesome, thank you... gives me something to recalibrate while I take a snow day or two off.... :=)

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