A mysterious and possibly boring question for the Internet
*Update* Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions (and even emailed me helpful links). I have a lot to think about, including why I love the Internet.
I don’t know why I’m trying so hard to figure this out, but I am. For one, it’s pretty boring. Two, well it’s not like I’m some scientific runner who meticulously calculates speed and distance and bodily reactions. I’m only mildly concerned with any of that, which is probably due mostly to laziness. I am sort of stumped, though, and I’m thinking someone out there might have some insight. Maybe. Possibly.
For the last several weeks, you see, I’ve been gradually increasing the distance of my long run again. Gradually being the key word there, of course. (Yesterday I did 7 miles.) For the most part they’re going well. They’ve turned out to be pretty okay runs where I’m thankful, most of all, for feeling good (read: no knee/leg/hip pain). The weird thing is, my heart rate. It’s crazed, y’all.
What I mean by that is, it seems very abnormal. Or at least for part of the run, particularly the last part. A “normal” long run for me means a steady pace with my heart rate between 150 and 155. However, over the last few weeks and only during the long run, my heart rate increases to 165+ during the last 2-4 miles of the run. No matter how I try, I can’t get it back down. Once it’s up there, it stays- at least until I have to walk just to get it under control.
Now, for starters, I don’t even know if around 150 is okay to start with. I just know it’s generally where my heart rate stays when running at a comfortable pace. But I don’t know if that’s (again) “normal” I just know it’s been normal for me. Is it too high? I wouldn’t know.
Sheesh! Who’s bored? (Me. Sorta.)
So, anyway, I’m thinking my heart rate goes up like this because:
I know I’m getting close to the end of the run and I subconciously get too excited about that? OR…
I’m too fatigued from earlier in the run? OR…
I’m too fatigued from whatever I did the day before? OR…
This could be something to worry about and I should be asking a doctor? OR…
There’s a guy running in front of me with a nice butt.
I joke about that last one because if that were the case, well, heartrate schmeartrate, but I’m hoping anyone with any type of heart rate knowledge/insight/know-how has an idea. Or at least some questions I need to ask myself to better understand what’s going on. And I hope it’s something simple like “you’re not in good enough shape yet, keep going and find a nice butt to look at to distract you.” But maybe there’s more to it? What do you think?
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9 Responses to “A mysterious and possibly boring question for the Internet”
May 19th, 2008 at 5:52 am
I have heard so much frustration over HR stuff that I don’t really deal much with it. The only way to know for sure though if your HR for an easy pace is right is to find the max HR and do the calculations. I have yet to find my max, but I know it’s over 200 so when I have easy runs and they are in the 165-170 or higher range I don’t worry about it. I just have a high pulse rate (my resting is around 72). Did you hear the study they did on kissing vs chocolate that both elevate the HR equally? Just a little off the side note!!
May 19th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I’m guessing fatigue from increasing mileage. Based on my own experience, the longer I run, the tireder I get, the higher it goes. On the other hand, I have a wacky heart, so I may not be the best judge.
Here are things that make my hr climb:
1. fatigue
2. stress
3. hills
4. dehydration
5. heat and/or high humidity
6. speed
What is your percieved exertiion when it’s up? Do you feel exhausted, or have trouble talking? Are you slowly creeping your speed? Are you on a gentle incline - the kind that you don’t even really realize is a climb, but is?
Again, my heart reacts differently, but all of the above can elevate a heart rate. Hope it helps.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
hmm. im not the one for insight into this. but, methinks this is not a result of being out of shape!
but, did you get the running video i sent you?
May 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I find my HR gets out of whack sometimes if I take a few days off from the gym or biking.
Irregular schedule?
Or you know, it could be the aliens.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I feel like a bad runner…I’ve never actually checked my heart rate when I was running.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m a bad runner too. I have no idea what my heart race when I run, or even when I don’t. I never checked it out. I feel it goes higher with increased speed, but only if I think about it.
I realize this is not too helpful. Perhaps, just in case, you could check with a doctor (since it used to be different for you before).
May 19th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Are you using a HRM that is attached to the treadmill or one that is on a watch with a belt around your chest? I don’t know if that would make a difference but I’m just wondering if the machine had some sort of quirk. Although, I think I agree with some of the others regarding fatigue, dehydration, etc.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Do you know you’re about to throw in the towel? Whenever I bike, my HR increases the last couple miles in because I usually know where I’m going to stop and therefore, I push a little harder.
If not that, then I’m going with the fatigue part. Either way, to an untrained athlete, it sounds like a good thing. An increase in your HR means you’re working a little bit harder and it should only serve to increase your endurance, right?
May 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
It’s probably nothing to worry about, but do get it checked. It’s best to know, don’t you think?
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