Running Heart Rate ...?

Question

Okay, I'm a 31 year old male ... I weigh 185 pounds, and am six foot even. I normally go for 8-12 mile runs three times a week, and I run anywhere from a 7:30-8:30 mile pace.

My question is this ... I was just reading about Target Heart Rates, and Anaerobic vs. Aerobic heart rates levels. I've used a Polar heart rate monitor for the last year or so, and I stay in the 155-167 bpm range during my runs (my 'average' bpm for a workout is 165). According to what I've been reading apparently this is not good for me ... I am only supposed to go above 80% of my THR (152) for short periods. Is this right? Is it bad for me to stay at around 165 bmp for over an hour?

Answer 1

I have always thought that the formula for max heart rate is not correct.

I and lots of my friends get above the so called max during training.

The idea that you should only go to 80% of this max is also misleading.

People are different and just like resting heart rates I don't think a cook book approach works.

Since you are healthy and don't have any discomfort running at your normal training speed, why worry.

The doctor has not said you have a problem.

If you think about the difference between 152 and 165 you are not far off.

We ran for years without a heart rate monitor and had  no idea about what was supposed to be healthy.

Answer 2

Yeah you're right that about your THR. Max Heart Rate calculation formula 220 - age so yours is 189. Around 80% of this is a good heart rate so around 151. However, there is a standard error of about 10 bpm so your could be 161 which isn't to far of your average bpm. When it comes to sport normally I say "man" up and just keep going. But this is your heart so see a doctor in case have high blood pressure, restricted arteries etc.