Question about interval training/HR

[shoe72]

Hi all! I am looking for some help regarding interval training and training zones. I am trying to do the November rotation (I do Cathe workouts, but I usually just do whatever I'm in the mood for with no set schedule), so today I was doing a 30 minute interval run as per the rotation. Anyway, when you are trying to increase intensity, is your HR supposed to be at the upper end of the training zone, or actually above the training zone? My HR monitor zone is set at 145-165 bpm, and when I ran harder, I was well into the 170's. Is that too much? I would also like to know this to apply to Cathe interval training as well. I really appreciate all responses. Thank you!
Sherri

 

[pixie9]

I think you should follow your RPE instead of HR limits. I say this because the more fit you become, the higher your HR can safely go. You can figure out your HR reserve and follow that if you wish (220-age-resting HR*intensity+resting HR - I think?), but this does not take into account your fitness level. Some fit people can have higher resting HR's while some unfit people have naturally lower HR's, so the formula really doesn't apply for many.
I know for me, according to my HR reserve, I should not go above 169 (which I do almost everyday) but I really don't start to feel overly tired until I'm well into the 180s. If I followed the guidelines for heart rates, I would never get a good/intense workout.
Anyway, just my .02 cents. I hope it made sense!

carolyn

 

[shoe72]

Thank you for your reply, Carolyn. It made perfect sense. I didn't feel particularly bad with my HR in the 170's, but that is the first time I had done any running for at least a year, so it got up there pretty quickly. Even though I do Cathe workouts regularly, bike, rollerblade, etc, I think that mixing it up with some running will help my fitness level. Thank you!
Sherri