by Toks » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:00 pm
[quote]There's some interesting stuff here - and by crikey - I think I understand some of it!! Ta very much. Looking at this interval malarkey - I guess a reasonable measure in terms of how hard to push would be HR...? So - I'm 40 yrs old - someone once told me yr max HR is 220 minus age. Therefore my max is around 180. Think that may be a bit low as my resting HR is around 60. So - guessing that these intervals should be at what - 80% of max? 85%? Any road up - unless anyone can think of a better thang to use as a yardstick, I'll try this interval stuff using me ticker as a measure and see how I get on.
Snoop, forget trying to work out what you maximum heart rate is via the 220-age method. As Rich has already pointed it its quite innaccurate and can be out by as much 15%. Go and do a few 20 minute threshold intervals and take your average heart rate each time. Once you've done 3 or 4 you'll have a rough idea of your average threshold heart rate.
Don't forget heart rate can vary when you're fatigued, dehydrated, ill, caffenated etc etc. Try and get a 'feel' for what riding at your 'threshold is like - faint leg burning, conversation not really possible other than a few utterances and slightly laboured breathing. In contrast if your lungs are burning up and your legs feel really really sore you're probably pushing it too hard. Let us know how ya get on
PS If you're that keen to know your maximum heart rate try this. When you're feeling fairly fresh ride up 'box hill' and as you approach the final hairpin bend put in a big effort and ride as hard as you can or even sprint right at the end - then check your HRM. PLEASE DON'T DO THIS IF YOU'VE BEEN UNWELL, HAVE HEART PROBLEMS OR YOUR NOT VERY FIT!!