Maintaining heart rate in sub-threshold efforts

06awjudd
06awjudd Posts: 1
in Training, fitness and health
Hi all,

I can't keep my heart rate above 80% MHR over my 20 minute sub-threshold efforts.

Because of the terrain round here a lot of my interval ends up flatish and it's over these flatter parts my heart rate drops to the mid-70s. If I get out of the saddle and sprint I can slowly get it up but as soon as I sit down it seems to fall no matter how much effort I put in.
I'm from a running background so used to my heart-rate responding immediately to my effort and I'm not sure where I'm going wrong.
I'm running 1x11 and although I'm not spinning out was wondering if it might be a gearing issue.

Cheers for any advice / experience.

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    HR never responds 'immediately' to effort - not on a bicycle anyway, it generally lags a bit. Generally speaking though, if you are not able to maintain +80% even on a flat circuit then something doesn't sound right. In principle, all you should have to do is increase and maintain your effort level and your HR should follow suit.
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    As above - make sure you're not just seeing a delay in response. It's also possible your zones are wrong or have changed over time. Do you have a turbo you can test on? Much, much easier (if that's the right word) to nail intervals properly in a controlled environment. Before I had a power meter I used to find it harder to do sub threshold work outside than threshold work - since it's harder to gauge and maintain that constant effort whilst I know what LTHR feels like from doing TTs.
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • hdow
    hdow Posts: 186
    How did you work out your 80%MHR? Using your running MHR could be a source of error as cycling HRM is typically 8 - 10bpm lower. Swimming is even lower

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