OK, another dumb HR question

stratcat

Hi

First off I haven't actually done a MHR test yet (I will try soon honest!!) but I did a threshold test that I have deduced my MHR is 181. Incidentally 181 is the highest figure that has been recorded on my HR monitor in any workout/ride I've done, so I reckon it is probably my MHR

Now, when on the turbo one of the plans I have used says to do a 2x20 at 85% MHR which works out at 154 (supposedly TT pace). I did my last TT of the year yesterday and could sustain around 169/170 for the duration of the 10miles.

So should I ride at the 170 on the turbo (If I can without killing myself) or is the point of the 2x20 to be at a lower level to help gradually build my legs - so stick with the 154.

Thanks

Alex_Simmons/RST

Well that depends on the purpose of the intended workout. What do the plan's accompanying notes say?

amaferanga

Are you aiming for ~85% within the first few minutes of the first 20 then allowing your HR to drift upwards or are you sticking to 85% MHR throughout the 2x20?

a_n_t

stratcat wrote:

154 (supposedly TT pace). I did my last TT of the year yesterday and could sustain around 169/170 for the duration of the 10miles.

On a good day I can average ~92% MHR for a 10TT, think 85% is on the low side TBH as you proved.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/48182083


Also if I try that on the turbo it just ends in tears! I use power though and its always waay down on what I do on the road, as is HR.

Garz

Agree with ant.

I would think your MHR is not 181 but more like 190 or thereabouts.

stratcat

Alex - there aren't any notes with the plan, its one of the turbo plans on turbotrainer.co.uk
It just works out 85% of the MHR you put in.

amaferanga - I just sat there for both 20 min intervals at 85%. When I say just sat there it was still pretty hard :oops:

I know, with the cooling breeze (10 mph head wind yesterday :shock: ) I was much cooler than on the turbo, despite the big fan I've got going, also with the adrenalin and the idea of going as fast I can, I know I'll go faster and harder during the TT.

But, it almost felt like the last few turbo sessions had trained me to go slower, but I don't want to go mad and over do it on the turbo.

Alex_Simmons/RST

stratcat wrote:

Alex - there aren't any notes with the plan, its one of the turbo plans on turbotrainer.co.uk
It just works out 85% of the MHR you put in.

amaferanga - I just sat there for both 20 min intervals at 85%. When I say just sat there it was still pretty hard :oops:

I know, with the cooling breeze (10 mph head wind yesterday :shock: ) I was much cooler than on the turbo, despite the big fan I've got going, also with the adrenalin and the idea of going as fast I can, I know I'll go faster and harder during the TT.

But, it almost felt like the last few turbo sessions had trained me to go slower, but I don't want to go mad and over do it on the turbo.

Well it helps to know what the intent of any workout is and it's context within your overall training. It may well be exactly what is intended, or it might be too hard or too easy.

Bronzie

stratcat wrote:

First off I haven't actually done a MHR test yet (I will try soon honest!!) but I did a threshold test that I have deduced my MHR is 181.

How do you deduce your MHR from a threshold test?

I thought that a rider's "threshold heart rate" could be a completely different percentage of their maximum to any other riders?

Why not just use your threshold test to set HR zones based on Friel's guidelines?