Heart Rate is high

npk

Hi,

my first thread here

So that my book "Training and racing with a power meter" isn't arrived yet, i
have a typical question about heart rate.

I've done the FTP test wiht warm up, and then 20min TT. I used my Tacx trainer and
got a averrage power of 339watt. So i calculate a FTP of 320watt. It is a result that
could be true. My Endurace range is from about 180 till 240watt. Riding this is no
problem for me for a few hours. The only thing is that my heart rate climbs to 147 bpm. Can i really ignore this? Last season my heartrate endurance was about 120-135bpm and before last season in winter till 140bpm. The point, that i can
ride for hours with this wattage, let me belive that i can realy ignore the heartrate.

bye npk

Steve_B

Many things to say here. Boy, we really need a FAQ section.

1) When you get the book, read it. Then read it again.

2) Here is some helpful information.

3) Many trainers that report power readings are giving erroneous numbers. See this.

4) One suggestion as a temporary solution: If you have a friend with a SRM or a Power Tap, have them ride your trainer to check the Tacx reading versus their reading. You will want to do this in steps (roughly every 20 watts) and you will want to check this from zero watts up to as high as you can reasonably go because the amount of difference between the two will vary depending upon power level.

5) When riding indoors, your heart rate may get higher than you expect. The heart rate that you see at any point in time is affected by many things: the temperature where you are riding and cooling from air flow, caffeine, hydration, sleep, etc. The biggest mistake that people make when riding indoors is to not have air blowing on them from a large fan or to cool the room down enough. If your body is too hot, your heart rate will be much higher than if you were riding outdoors on the road. I like to have the room that I ride in around 60F (15.5 C) or I ride in my garage, which is never warmer than 50F (10C) during winter.

Best regards

npk

Thanks for your answer.

My problem is not the indoor ride. My question is, if it is normal when i ride
outside my endurance training that my heart rate is about 145bpm? In my
older lactate diagnostics my endurance zone 120-140bpm or less.
In the last rides i ignored the heart rate.

Steve_B

Heart rate is variable and, as I said, can change based upon many things and will vary over the course of the year. If you are less trained (typical at this time of year) your heart rate may be higher. If you are riding with a higher cadence than you were before or if your clothing is different (and your body temperature is different), that can affect heart rate. There are too many things that can affect heart rate to be sure of anything.

I am not a doctor but if you feel OK, I would not worry about it. Just continue to watch and observe it. I bet things will change in a few months. If you are very worried about it, go see your doctor.