New runner.... Heart rate question

[Lovingmylife]

Hi all,

Having got fed up of being totally unfit and overweight, I decided to do the couch to five k running app. I'm doing well and enjoying it. I noticed today that my Fitbit told me I spent 90% of the time at peak heart rate. I don't know what that means but thought it was good. Google seems to suggest otherwise. I was going slow, didn't feel like I was really pushing myself too much.

How did it feel in terms of exertion out of ten?

Which week are you on? Did you feel you could have run for longer before walking?

It will come down as you get fitter

How did you identify your peak heart rate?

Essentially the variation in people is large, so identifying a peak heart rate is difficult, it is very unlikely that if you're doing well and enjoying something that your heart is in any danger, certainly very unlikely that any sort of damage.

If the Fitbit is going by average HR values rather than ones specific to you it may be inaccurate.

People who train a lot don't do all their runs at maximum effort. Sprints or hills will have peak HR with recoveries in between, but a lot of running is done in the lower HR ranges to build up stamina.

If you are currently unfit then any run may have you at a higher HR than it would if you were fitter. I notice this at the moment for me as I've put on a lot of weight during lockdown and running much less. This should improve as your body gets more used to running

I would switch fitbit off and run just for the joy of it, pushing yourself or slowing down as you feel comfortable. If you do a regular circuit or route just mark the distance by a lamp post or a certain house and then only time yourself if you want to.

Thanks everyone. I just enjoyed it really. I was sweaty and out of breathe but didn't feel terrible.. hopefully just my poor fitness levels that will improve. I never thought I'd be the sort of person to enjoy running. But it's quite nice for losing yourself in your thoughts and clearing your mind.