Gang,
First a little history. I just started mountain bikig one month ago. I am fortunate enough to live right next to a trail head, and after a few years of watching bikers ride by, I decided to get off my rear. Today I took my eleventh ride; a 6.8 mile loop that begins with a steep 1 3/4 mile ascent, then a couple miles of flat and steep decent, ending with flat and a slow uphill grind. Since I started I have cut my time in half, to one hour. My sense is that I pushed myself pretty much the same each ride. I knew at the completion of each ride I had a good, strenuous (for me) workout. As my times have been leveling off, I thought it would be a good idea to pick up a Heart Rate Monitor to help set some new goals and keep my motivation high.
Last night I found a site on the web and calculated my MHR and zones. I'm 47, 6'-0" and 160 lbs. That resulted in a MHR of 176. I realize this is just an approximation. Anyway,I was thinking, 'geeze, I wonder if I can keep my heart rate in zone 2(114-132) without falling on my face'.
Here is where it gets interesting, at least for me. This morning I bought a HRM, straped on the transmitter, and headed out for my ride. I rode just like I have in the past and my time was consistant with my last few rides. The results:
My max measured HR was 180 BPM
My average HR for the hour was 158 BPM
The first couple miles(uphill) I was averaging 160-175 BPM
I was shocked to find my rates were that high. Had I strapped that thing on my first day I would have stopped as soon as it hit 150 for fear of an MI. But, knowing I had done it 10 times before with no ill effects I just kept right on going as I had before.
Should I find an easier ride till I'm in better shape?? Or just keep at it and my rates will eventually come down?? I can't ride up the hill much slower or I would fall over. Also, an hour later(as I'm writing this) my HR is 91. It was 64 before I got on the bike. I felt fine, no longer breathing hard, within a few minutes of getting home. So I'm surprised to see my recovery is so slow. At any rate, I'm having a blast although I have a lot to learn. So, any and all training advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bone
First a little history. I just started mountain bikig one month ago. I am fortunate enough to live right next to a trail head, and after a few years of watching bikers ride by, I decided to get off my rear. Today I took my eleventh ride; a 6.8 mile loop that begins with a steep 1 3/4 mile ascent, then a couple miles of flat and steep decent, ending with flat and a slow uphill grind. Since I started I have cut my time in half, to one hour. My sense is that I pushed myself pretty much the same each ride. I knew at the completion of each ride I had a good, strenuous (for me) workout. As my times have been leveling off, I thought it would be a good idea to pick up a Heart Rate Monitor to help set some new goals and keep my motivation high.
Last night I found a site on the web and calculated my MHR and zones. I'm 47, 6'-0" and 160 lbs. That resulted in a MHR of 176. I realize this is just an approximation. Anyway,I was thinking, 'geeze, I wonder if I can keep my heart rate in zone 2(114-132) without falling on my face'.
Here is where it gets interesting, at least for me. This morning I bought a HRM, straped on the transmitter, and headed out for my ride. I rode just like I have in the past and my time was consistant with my last few rides. The results:
My max measured HR was 180 BPM
My average HR for the hour was 158 BPM
The first couple miles(uphill) I was averaging 160-175 BPM
I was shocked to find my rates were that high. Had I strapped that thing on my first day I would have stopped as soon as it hit 150 for fear of an MI. But, knowing I had done it 10 times before with no ill effects I just kept right on going as I had before.
Should I find an easier ride till I'm in better shape?? Or just keep at it and my rates will eventually come down?? I can't ride up the hill much slower or I would fall over. Also, an hour later(as I'm writing this) my HR is 91. It was 64 before I got on the bike. I felt fine, no longer breathing hard, within a few minutes of getting home. So I'm surprised to see my recovery is so slow. At any rate, I'm having a blast although I have a lot to learn. So, any and all training advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bone