Originally Posted by pinniped
OK, I just bought a new watch, and I spent the extra $25 or so to get the Heart Rate Monitor piece. It's a Timex...you wear a chest strap that transmits your heart rate to the watch.
Question is...now that I have this thing, what exactly am I supposed to be looking for?
When I'm doing an interval workout, I peak out at about 172 bpm. That's about 92% of my theoretical max heart rate (220 - my age, which is 34). I know people tend to use HRM's the most when they are doing speedwork, but I'm not sure exactly how or why. Ideas?
I think the key to using an HRM is to determine your max and also a baseline. I tend not to use it for my speedwork, but instead prefer to pay closer attention on the long runs and when racing. Typically during a long run I will try to keep it as low as possible (in the 150's), but after 2 hours it tends to creep up into the 160's. When racing (especially during a marathon) I tend to start higher and need to use the HRM to adjust my pace to get into my comfort zone (160's). If I start to hard in the 170's I don't seem to finish well. HRM's can be great tools, but I think some people rely much to heavily on them. I just don't take all of my workouts that seriously. I'm sure others have other opinions.