How often do you get close to touching your "max"?



P

Preston Crawfor

Guest
Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
heart rate as figured by the various formulas is hard to go
by. However, I'm curious nonetheless. Today I was riding and
accidentally touched 175 once and 181 once. I felt a little
crappy when I touched 181. Now, as I've mentioned here
before, I have a history of anxiety and panic attacks. I'm
workig on recovering from that, but when I touched 181 I got
a little anxious. Now what I'm wondering is...

A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
considered their max? I think mine, by the traditional
measure would be considered 197. I did a stress test once
where I got to 190. So that's what I base mine on.

B) If you hit it do you generally consider that "dangerous"
or just not something that's advisable to do very often?

This obviously isn't a theoretical question. I'm asking
because I'm a little anxious after this morning. I feel fine
now, but I'm just seeking a little reassurance that I
needn't be worried.

Preston
 
My theoretical max is 174 (i'm 46). I get 170 a lot while riding up hills as
fast as I can. I seem to recover quickly have no problems with it. I
haven't a clue what an anxiety or panic attack would do to max HR, or why
having them would be a factor in hitting your max HR, but I'd suggest you
don't invent stuff to worry about :)

Preston Crawford wrote:
|| Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
|| heart rate as figured by the various formulas is hard to
|| go by. However, I'm curious nonetheless. Today I was
|| riding and accidentally touched 175 once and 181 once. I
|| felt a little crappy when I touched 181. Now, as I've
|| mentioned here before, I have a history of anxiety and
|| panic attacks. I'm workig on recovering from that, but
|| when I touched 181 I got a little anxious. Now what I'm
|| wondering is...
||
|| A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
|| accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would
|| be considered their max? I think mine, by the
|| traditional measure would be considered 197. I did a
|| stress test once where I got to 190. So that's what I
|| base mine on.
||
|| B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
|| "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
|| do very often?
||
|| This obviously isn't a theoretical question. I'm asking
|| because I'm a little anxious after this morning. I feel
|| fine now, but I'm just seeking a little reassurance that
|| I needn't be worried.
||
|| Preston
 
On 2004-06-28, Roger Zoul <[email protected]> wrote:
> My theoretical max is 174 (i'm 46). I get 170 a lot while
> riding up hills as fast as I can. I seem to recover
> quickly have no problems with it. I haven't a clue what an
> anxiety or panic attack would do to max HR, or why having
> them would be a factor in hitting your max HR, but I'd
> suggest you don't invent stuff to worry about :)

I would agree. Problem is I only have so much control over
my anxiety. Sometimes it just gets the better of you,
especially when you look down and see 181 on your HRM.

Preston
 
Preston Crawford wrote:
|| On 2004-06-28, Roger Zoul <[email protected]> wrote:
||| My theoretical max is 174 (i'm 46). I get 170 a lot
||| while riding up hills as fast as I can. I seem to
||| recover quickly have no problems with it. I haven't a
||| clue what an anxiety or panic attack would do to max HR,
||| or why having them would be a factor in hitting your max
||| HR, but I'd suggest you don't invent stuff to worry
||| about :)
||
|| I would agree. Problem is I only have so much control
|| over my anxiety. Sometimes it just gets the better of
|| you, especially when you look down and see 181 on
|| your HRM.

I see what you mean. I once looked at my HRM and saw 226. I
momentarily freaked and then realized I wasn't even working
THAT hard...the damn thing was acting up.

From what I understand, if you're in pretty good health,
there should be no problem hitting your max -- it's just
that your HR won't increase beyond that. Also, you likely
won't be able to keep it up for very long anyway, as lactic
acid would build up in your legs and eventually force you to
slow down. Finally, getting up that high every once in a
while is supposed to increase your fitness, so there is some
benefit provided you don't end up overtraining.
 
In article <[email protected]>,
Preston Crawford <[email protected]> wrote:
>Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
>heart rate as figured by the various formulas is hard to go
>by. However, I'm curious nonetheless. Today I was riding
>and accidentally touched 175 once and 181 once. I felt a
>little crappy when I touched 181. Now, as I've mentioned
>here before, I have a history of anxiety and panic attacks.
>I'm workig on recovering from that, but when I touched 181
>I got a little anxious. Now what I'm wondering is...
>
>A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
> considered their max? I think mine, by the traditional
> measure would be considered 197. I did a stress test
> once where I got to 190. So that's what I base mine on.

What do you mean by "crappy"? It seems unlikely that you
were doing anything dangerous if you are a reasonably
healthy person. My own observed max over the last year was
193, and I regularly ride up into the 180s without ill
effect but probably don't hit that max number very often. If
endurance riding is the goal then doing a lot of work at the
max is not really necessary anyway.

So you reaching 181 doesn't sound crazy to me although it
might make your lungs hurt.

>B) If you hit it do you generally consider that "dangerous"
> or just not something that's advisable to do very often?

When you start seeing spots and feel like you're going to
pass out, or have trouble getting enough air, that would be
the limit for a healthy person. Of course a person with an
aneurism would be a different case.

If you don't know how healthy you are, get your doctor to
prescribe a stress EKG, preferably on a bike.
 
Turn your HRM off! Do you really need it? I used to cycle
with an odometer/speedometer...delayed changing out a
battery on it once, and never used it again. I've never
tried a HRM and never will. Sure, maybe I don't get the
maximum health benefit I could (although I'm not convinced
this is the case), but I enjoy my rides a LOT more by
looking at the scenery instead of that damn display. Let
your body tell you when to slow down.

"Preston Crawford" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2004-06-28, Roger Zoul <[email protected]> wrote:
> > My theoretical max is 174 (i'm 46). I get 170 a lot
> > while riding up
hills as
> > fast as I can. I seem to recover quickly have no
> > problems with it. I haven't a clue what an anxiety or
> > panic attack would do to max HR, or
why
> > having them would be a factor in hitting your max HR,
> > but I'd suggest
you
> > don't invent stuff to worry about :)
>
> I would agree. Problem is I only have so much control over
> my anxiety. Sometimes it just gets the better of you,
> especially when you look down and see 181 on your HRM.
>
> Preston
 
I am 55 so my max should be about 165??. I have seen 180+
on a hard burst of speed and didn't need a HRM to tell
that. I just got off the bike and counted the thumps in my
chest for 15 seconds on my watch and multiplied by 4. 2
minutes later I was down to 150 and after about 5 minutes
it was down to about 110. I can only get there with an out
of the saddle blast or by running laps at the college until
I can barely walk upright, but either way 180 something
seems to be it. An HRM might go a little higher but it just
isn't in my budget right now. Whatever you can get to and
not pass out, (or do a Jim Fixx) is a good thing. If it
doesn't kill you it makes you stronger (we hope). Bill Baka
BTW Does anybody know the story of that TDF level cyclist
who had a heart attack before last years tour? I heard he
was a friend of Lance.

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 17:31:59 -0400, Roger Zoul
<[email protected]> wrote:

> My theoretical max is 174 (i'm 46). I get 170 a lot while
> riding up hills as fast as I can. I seem to recover
> quickly have no problems with it. I haven't a clue what an
> anxiety or panic attack would do to max HR, or why having
> them would be a factor in hitting your max HR, but I'd
> suggest you don't invent stuff to worry about :)
>
>
> Preston Crawford wrote:
> || Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the
> || maximum heart rate as figured by the various formulas
> || is hard to go by. However, I'm curious nonetheless.
> || Today I was riding and accidentally touched 175 once
> || and 181 once. I felt a little crappy when I touched
> || 181. Now, as I've mentioned here before, I have a
> || history of anxiety and panic attacks. I'm workig on
> || recovering from that, but when I touched 181 I got a
> || little anxious. Now what I'm wondering is...
> ||
> || A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> || accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would
> || be considered their max? I think mine, by the
> || traditional measure would be considered 197. I did a
> || stress test once where I got to 190. So that's what
> || I base mine on.
> ||
> || B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> || "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable
> || to do very often?
> ||
> || This obviously isn't a theoretical question. I'm asking
> || because I'm a little anxious after this morning. I feel
> || fine now, but I'm just seeking a little reassurance
> || that I needn't be worried.
> ||
> || Preston
>
>

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client:
http://www.opera.com/m2/
 
My wife was talking to her doctor, and mentioned that I was
out riding my bike in San Francisco. She told the doc that
she was worried because I was doing this without having a
physical first. The doctor asked, "you mean he rides on
those San Francisco hills?" She said, "Yeah." He said, "Then
tell him not to bother with a physical."

Point is, if you can drive your heart rate up near some kind
of max, and then come back down again without any problems,
that says you are OK. At least as OK as any physical is
likely to tell you.
 
That what the kids are calling it these days?

Bill "more fun than political ****" S.
 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
> heart rate as figured by the various formulas is hard to
> go by. However, I'm curious nonetheless. Today I was
> riding and accidentally touched 175 once and 181 once. I
> felt a little crappy when I touched 181. Now, as I've
> mentioned here before, I have a history of anxiety and
> panic attacks. I'm workig on recovering from that, but
> when I touched 181 I got a little anxious. Now what I'm
> wondering is...
>
> A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
> considered their max? I think mine, by the traditional
> measure would be considered 197. I did a stress test
> once where I got to 190. So that's what I base mine on.

You should use the highest reading you've ever seen as your
max. By the "traditional measure", do you mean 220 minus
your age? That's a reasonable starting point for people
who've never exercised, but if you have had your max
measured, use the measured one.

>
> B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
> do very often?

There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself to at or near
your "max". It's not harmful; it just makes you very tired
very fast. It's *required* if you are training to reach
your maximum performance in a race. If you do that
everyday, you'll quickly get yourself into "over- training"
mode, though.

>
> This obviously isn't a theoretical question. I'm asking
> because I'm a little anxious after this morning. I feel
> fine now, but I'm just seeking a little reassurance that I
> needn't be worried.

See above, there's no reason to be worried unless you have a
history of heart problems. You were at only about 95%
anyway; I get there at least once a week or so. IME, getting
that last 5% takes a LOT more effort and willpower.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).
 
One of my GPSs showed my max speed as 2130mph, and I only
use it on the bicycle. Probably one of the downhills.

The other GPS showed 43 but it may have been blocked by
trees.
--
Ron Hardin [email protected]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
 
On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 16:01:28 -0500, Preston Crawford wrote:
> Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
> heart rate as

> A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
> considered their max?

The max I've hit was on a steep climb to Twinlights (a light
house in NJ). I hit 198 2 years ago. I've not since hit that
number on that climb and I'm using smaller gears. :)

> B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
> do very often?

I can still push it into the 180's during sprints. I don't
consider this dangerous (no spots and I'm not going to pass
out). I'll probably 'run out of lungs' before I 'run out of
legs' as I'm asthmatic.

I did ask a doctor about a physical to see if I had any
particular problems and he said that it wasn't
necessary (for that) as I had been riding for years and
that my general exams and health history didn't
indicate any problems.

As one other person sort of stated. The heart rate monitor
(hrm) is just a tool. I use it during training to gauge my
training. In addition I use my speedometer, cadence (which I
rely on heavily). That and how I feel which I use to a
greater extent (legs, lungs, emotional, etc.). BTW,
sometimes the HRM lies. Mine jumps to 258 when my cell phone
changes cells.

--
Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry [email protected]
http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/ (Text only)
http://linuxha.sourceforge.net/ (SourceForge)
http://hcs.sourceforge.net/ (HCS II)
 
Preston Crawford <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

> A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
> considered their max?

> B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
> do very often?

I have not a clue what my max is anymore, or if I hit it
when cycling. But when the kids were small, and my main form
of exercise was an aerobics class, I'd routinely do a pulse
check twice in the workout. I don't know if everyone else
was up to, but I'd be over what my max was supposed to be,
just about every time.

So, I figured this whole maximum heart rate thing must
not apply to me, or just at least not the same way as it
did for everyone else, and didn't put much stock in the
whole concept.

Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky Having to post using google again --
don't ask.
 
Don't go near your Max as you could explode.

"Preston Crawford" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Putting "max" in quotes, because I know that the maximum
> heart rate as figured by the various formulas is hard to
> go by. However, I'm curious nonetheless. Today I was
> riding and accidentally touched 175 once and 181 once. I
> felt a little crappy when I touched 181. Now, as I've
> mentioned here before, I have a history of anxiety and
> panic attacks. I'm workig on recovering from that, but
> when I touched 181 I got a little anxious. Now what I'm
> wondering is...
>
> A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would be
> considered their max? I think mine, by the traditional
> measure would be considered 197. I did a stress test
> once where I got to 190. So that's what I base mine on.
>
> B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
> do very often?
>
> This obviously isn't a theoretical question. I'm asking
> because I'm a little anxious after this morning. I feel
> fine now, but I'm just seeking a little reassurance that I
> needn't be worried.
>
> Preston
 
In article
<[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Preston Crawford <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
> > A) How often do other cyclists do what I did and
> > accidentally (or purposely) come close to what would
> > be considered their max?
>
> > B) If you hit it do you generally consider that
> > "dangerous" or just not something that's advisable to
> > do very often?
>
> I have not a clue what my max is anymore, or if I hit it
> when cycling. But when the kids were small, and my main
> form of exercise was an aerobics class, I'd routinely do a
> pulse check twice in the workout. I don't know if everyone
> else was up to, but I'd be over what my max was supposed
> to be, just about every time.
>
> So, I figured this whole maximum heart rate thing must not
> apply to

Oh, it applies, but the 220-age is a very poor estimator of
your max. A person's max HR is simply the highest their
heart rate will go, and must be measured to be accurate. Any
formulae are just starting points when you are just starting
out on an exercise routine.

> me, or just at least not the same way as it did for
> everyone else, and didn't put much stock in the whole
> concept.
>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky Having to post using google again --
> don't ask.
>

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).
 
"Denver C. Fox" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >Yes, but he died from a heart attack.
> >
> >http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=9456&sidebar=32-
> >&category=mtnbiking
>
> I was not aware of that. Thanks.
>
> Perhaps he is having neat conversations with Atkins?
>
> Still, that does not invalidate his theories.

Perhaps not, I didn't mean it as a cheap shot, just that if
even an expert on exercise and heart conditioning can get
blind-sided like this then perhaps there are no certainties.
 
Max wrote:
> <tap tap> <cough>
>
>
> every day
>
> .max tip your waitress, try the chicken.

I already tried it.

Got the same blank stares as you.

Bill "tough crowd" S.
 
S o r n i <[email protected]> wrote:
> Max wrote:
>> <tap tap> <cough>
>>
>>
>> every day
>>
>> .max tip your waitress, try the chicken.
>
> I already tried it.
>
> Got the same blank stares as you.
>
> Bill "tough crowd" S.

christ bill, i'm in a meeting. chai tea everywhere.
explaining to do.
--
david reuteler [email protected]
 
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