Running Advice

Topsking2010
Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
edited October 3 in Motivation and Support
Have you ever run in a race using a HRM? Did it help or hurt your performance?



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  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    I just ran a 5k with my HRM, and didn't even notice it at all! If anything, it helped me push myself to keep going, to keep that heart rate up.
  • 99clmsntgr
    99clmsntgr Posts: 777 Member
    I always run with my HRM and my Garmin, so running the races is old hat when wearing it. If you've got it fit correctly and it's in the right spot, you'll probably not even notice it's there.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    Just ran my Half with mine, and didn't even notice it.

    You can use your current HR as a pacing tool, especially if it's going to be a long race. You don't want that HR spiking early in the race.
  • jessmomof3
    jessmomof3 Posts: 4,590 Member
    I always race w/ my HRM and Garmin. I train w/ it so I'm just used to wearing it. I'm a numbers gal so I've got to know. :bigsmile: Good luck!
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,459 Member
    I've run every race so far with my HRM; will probably run all future races with it also. Hasn't hindered my time...but then again, when you aren't much faster than the zombie bait, not much to worry about there, lol.
  • wendybird2
    wendybird2 Posts: 46 Member
    I just ran my last half marathon with my HRM - my first race to run with a HRM, come to think of it. I use a garmin, and so I actually watched my time/pace the most. Out of curiosity I checked my HR at the top of the biggest, nastiest hill, and was surprised to see that I had peaked at 171. Most of the second half of the race I held my HR at about 150...which for me is pretty high. Unless I'm really pushing myself on intervals, my HR rarely goes above 130 during training runs. My calorie burn was higher too! I burned more in that half marathon than I did on a 20 mile training run 2 weeks ago! That was really cool to see :) Means I was workin'!

    I think the key to running a race with a HRM is training with one, and figuring out your comfort zones and your limits. That kind of information can be very valuable during a race--it can keep you from burning out early or from not working hard enough.
  • ludgerclay
    ludgerclay Posts: 95 Member
    I ran a very hilly 50km trail race a couple of years ago using a heart rate monitor and recorded a personal best time. The race was called the Creemore Vertical Challenge, and had some very steep hill climbs that most people walk up. There's a tendency to "rest up" a little while walking, but I focused on pushing hard while on these climbs, maintaining a minimum heart rate, and passed a lot of people while walking. I also recorded my best 30km time on a flat course using a HRM to keep in a target zone. You just have to remember that your heart rate takes a couple of minutes to increase enough to match your actual exertion level, it's not instantaneous.
  • j9hannum
    j9hannum Posts: 18 Member
    I'm the odd ball I guess. I always train with a HR monitor, but I never race with it. Before my very first 5K I asked my friend, a very experienced runner, if I should wear it during the race. He said he thought it is best to leave it at home. For me, I think it helps that I don't see my HR. I think if I saw how high it was, it would scare me and I would think I needed to slow down! Similarly, I seldom look at my watch until I cross the finish line. Using both these strategies, I have often surprised myself with my results.
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