While on the subject of heart rate I was wondering what are your thoughts on this. My resting heart rate is 41bpm down from about 56bpm a couple of years ago just after starting running. What are your resting heart rates? And do you think that a lower one will translate into faster times? Or is it of no real consequence? What kind of resting heart rate would "Deek" have say compared to "Mona"? The guy above has an average resting heart rate of 32bpm, a normal person 70bpm.
I have no idea if it means you will run faster but I know that my has also dropped significantly since taking up running - from 72 to 56ish. So it must be a good thing and as heart disease & diabetes run in my family!
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I have measured my resting HR. I tend to be the sort of person that jumps out of bed as soon as my eyes open so I don't get a chance to measure whilst I am nice and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed though that through the years of training my HR takes a lot quicker to return to normal after exertion when I am fit than when I am coming back from a break from running.
Mine is around 44 bpm - you win :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny, its lower sitting at my desk at work later in the day than it is when I wake up. Then again, I do work for the Public Service (where we aren't allowed to look out the window in the morning .... because then we'd have nothing to do in the afternoon).
It won't necessarily make you faster at top end speed but it should mean you are more efficient which should mean you can sustain a higher pace and stay within your aerobic threshold - so yes it should translate to faster times but resting heartrate is just one part of the pie - there is a lil ole thing called V02 max that has a significant say in things too.
ReplyDeleteSteve L is our resident HR expert.
I don't think it means you'll cycle as fast as Lance or run as well as Deek if you have a similarly low resting HR.
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken mine lately, but it was in the mid-50s.
Mine sits around 52. I agree with 2p, you should get better times because you will run more consistent pace, but your upper speed threshold may not change, and your VO2 may not change (without specific work).
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, lower resting HR usually means a longer, fitter, happier life! Can't argue with that.