Question for runners - what's wrong with me ?

[sproing99]

Let me state for the record, I'm no athlete, I'm old (over 40) and slow but I've started to take more of an interest in running. I've taken part in a few races and my PBs are in the slow but not embarassing category (10k - 48mins; half marathon 1:55).

I've started to use a heart rate monitor in my training because I'm not geting any faster (not getting any slower either mind you). Books and so forth tell me to train at under 70% of max heart rate (126 bpm for a man of my advanced years). If I do that, I'm barely running, can go until I get bored (2 hours is as long as I can be bothered to run) and don't seem to be getting any benefit.

On the other hand, if I run at what I consider a comfortable pace for an hour, my heart rate is 155 - 165, 85% + of maximum. In theory I should only be able to keep this level of effort up for a few minutes but as I mentioned, an hour is no problem.

So am I some kind of freak (from a running and cardiovascular perspective - I already realise I'm a freak in almost every other way) ?

Have other runners experienced similar ?

Does anyone else on the Freeones board actually indulge in any exercise apart from wanking ?

 

[Petra]

I've been a jogger on and off and I actually just picked it back up again since I'm determined to run the Copenhagen half marathon next year. ;-)

Anyways, you should google the C25k series. It's an interval training program that's been designed to get people who don't run, running a straight 30 minutes or 5k in 9 weeks. There's interval programs for 10k and 15k as well...look up DJ Beatsmith since he has some awesome podcasts that really do make you run farther, faster. I've also noticed the interval training has really been helping my speed/distance.

As for the experts and HR...I'm convinced everyone has their "magical" formula. Like the magical fat burning zone that you can see brought up on all sorts of women's fitness forums. It makes me want to scream...especially since these are the same "experts" that are convinced endurance athletes shouldn't do heavy weight lifting. In my experience, as you become more fit it's harder to raise your HR anyways. So let your HR do what it does. Your body will tell you when it's too high and you know when it's too low.

Oh, the only thing the experts spout off that I listen to is never increase your distance by more than 10% at a time and take a day of complete rest a week. ;-)

Mind, I'm not an expert here...I'm just going from experience.

 

[robbied196]

I've been a jogger on and off and I actually just picked it back up again since I'm determined to run the Copenhagen half marathon next year. ;-)

Anyways, you should google the C25k series. It's an interval training program that's been designed to get people who don't run, running a straight 30 minutes or 5k in 9 weeks. There's interval programs for 10k and 15k as well...look up DJ Beatsmith since he has some awesome podcasts that really do make you run farther, faster. I've also noticed the interval training has really been helping my speed/distance.

As for the experts and HR...I'm convinced everyone has their "magical" formula. Like the magical fat burning zone that you can see brought up on all sorts of women's fitness forums. It makes me want to scream...especially since these are the same "experts" that are convinced endurance athletes shouldn't do heavy weight lifting. In my experience, as you become more fit it's harder to raise your HR anyways. So let your HR do what it does. Your body will tell you when it's too high and you know when it's too low.

Oh, the only thing the experts spout off that I listen to is never increase your distance by more than 10% at a time and take a day of complete rest a week. ;-)

Mind, I'm not an expert here...I'm just going from experience.

Would it be ok if I chase you?

 

[robbied196]

I'm old (over 40)

Come on man, that is not 'OLD'

 

[24788]

I run, swim, bike, and lift. I lost 70 pounds from running. That was the highlight of my running career.

HIIT training for endurance - weight loss if need be.

Distance running at a certain speed for stamina - not great for weight loss, but still active.

 

[sproing99]

Petra[/B]]I've been a jogger on and off and I actually just picked it back up again since I'm determined to run the Copenhagen half marathon next year. ;-)

Beautiful city, I'm sure the half would be awesome. Did Stockholm last year, would love to do another Scandinavian race

Petra[/B]]So let your HR do what it does. Your body will tell you when it's too high and you know when it's too low.

Yeah, that's what I figure for now. I've got a session booked in to determine what my max heart rate is

Come on man, that is not 'OLD'

Well, not in geological terms...

 

[Petra]

Yeah, that's what I figure for now. I've got a session booked in to determine what my max heart rate is

I should mention that my BF has an extremely high HR too. If he stuck in the recommended training HR, he wouldn't even break a sweat. The first time we did spinning with HRMs, his HR was over 190 and he wasn't even breathing hard. Mine was 172 and I was about ready to fall off the bike. And I'm the one with the better cardio shape. :1orglaugh

I can't remember what his max HR was determined to be, but it was high enough that he was the talk of the trainers at the gym.

 

[sproing99]

I'm sure the sight of you in exercise clothing had nothing to with his racing heartbeat

 

[deltaoscarbravo]

Let me state for the record, I'm no athlete, I'm old (over 40) and slow but I've started to take more of an interest in running. I've taken part in a few races and my PBs are in the slow but not embarassing category (10k - 48mins; half marathon 1:55).

I've started to use a heart rate monitor in my training because I'm not geting any faster (not getting any slower either mind you). Books and so forth tell me to train at under 70% of max heart rate (126 bpm for a man of my advanced years). If I do that, I'm barely running, can go until I get bored (2 hours is as long as I can be bothered to run) and don't seem to be getting any benefit.

On the other hand, if I run at what I consider a comfortable pace for an hour, my heart rate is 155 - 165, 85% + of maximum. In theory I should only be able to keep this level of effort up for a few minutes but as I mentioned, an hour is no problem.

So am I some kind of freak (from a running and cardiovascular perspective - I already realise I'm a freak in almost every other way) ?

Have other runners experienced similar ?

Does anyone else on the Freeones board actually indulge in any exercise apart from wanking ?

No, you're not a freak.

The accepted view is that you should only work at a moderate rate to burn fat in order to get fit.
That means, taking 220 subtract your age = 180BPM x 75% = 126BPM.

However, this is only a generic rule - applied across the general population.

I too had the same issue when I got back on my bike (I raced years ago)
I could pedal away for hours on end at a given rate (ie 75% of my threshold heart rate) but I wasn't getting faster/fitter.
By increasing the intensity of the session, I found that I worked harder but improved in terms of fitness.
I suggest that you try mixing your long steady running, with bursts of sprinitng (of faster running) for 20-40sec's at regular intervals.

To compliment my road racing fitness, a friend recommended that I do some running.
The conventional wisdom says that cyclists should never ever run.
But I did take up running and use a technique called fartlek.
This means running at a steady pace for say 45secs and then sprinting for 20secs and then slowing back for 45secs and sprinting for 20secs.....and so on.
I began to do sessions of these - 10 blocks of 45sec/20sec's intervals : my fitness level has really improved as well.

Google fartlek - you might find this useful.