heart rate while running - help please

[ThatVikRinA22]

i have recently worked out my maximum heart rate - 220 - age = 182. apparently this rate could only be maintained for short periods until i do myself a damage.

so ive been on a fitness programme now for about 6 weeks. part of this involves running on a treadmill for at lease 20 mins.

over the course of 6 weeks my speed has increased, and though i am finding it hard i never feel like im overdoing it, so it was a shock to find out my heart rate while running is 172, thats about 95% of the maximum, for 20 mins.

is this over training? am i going to do myself a damage if i keep this up?

help much appreciated, thanks in advance.

(*least not lease!)

btw- im running to improve cardio fitness levels, to pass a fitness test.

That probably isn't you're maximum heart rate. There's a test you can do which I think involves running very hard for a few minutes 3 times and then that will be your maximum HR. I think the idea is by then end of it you are on your knees. I can't be bothered to do that

My heart rate monitor said I managed to reach 101% of my maximum heart rate last week when I was doing some fast running up hill

What you will notice over time is that you can run at the same pace with a lower heart rate. I'm beginning to find that, that's all I use it for really.

Doyouthinkhesaurus - Pleae would you tell me about your heart rate monitor? I want to buy one - never had one before. I want one that will tell me my max HR but also let me see my aerobic and anaerobic rates/zones.

Oh Hi vicar - just realised you were the OP!

I have a garmin gps watch LitlePushka which comes with a HR monitor. It's very easy to use, just put the chest strap on and away you go. You can set the upper and lower limits yourself and then it will split it into zones for you.

hello littlpushka! yep i get everywhere! lol

a friend has lent me one of those heartrate monitors so think ill use it next week. i thought the rule of thumb was 220 minus your age, but as long as im not gonna drop dead while running thats fine!

Thanks Doyouthinkyousaurus... I have looked at some like yours now, though as I do not need the GPS I think I will go for one a one a little cheaper!

Vicar,..I am going to get one with a personal crash team in attendance only costs a tenner extra

I have a polar heart rate monitor and it is good. i have found that as I have got fitter my maximum heart rate has increased

the 220 minus age is a very rough guide.

victuto have you measured your resting heart rate? this must be done before getting out of bed in the morning..a womans heart rate will always be 10% higher than a male, I think it is due to males having bigger hearts

my heart rate was higher last week cuase I had been ill the week before.

Ivykaty - which polar one have you got?

F6 and I cycle aswell and it is great for both and does everything I want it to apart, from being able to see the time when I am training

In the gym it is fine - but when I am out for a ride I have to look to see what the time is before I set of, so no really hardship - my bike pc has the time but I havn't set the time up. My bike pc stops the time when I stop the bike as it records average speed - it also connects with my heart rate monitor so I can see my heart rate on my handlebars

Thnks ivykat. I have just bought an FS3C - yet to try it whilst exercising but it works real well in the armchair and going to the fridge and back!