Cyclocross - Racing cross and heart rate

So I've done my 2nd cross race. It is a different dynamic than just riding on the road, with the addition of the running. I'm not a good runner. Bad joints and back. So I'm 43 and I wore my heart rate monitor during my race yesterday. Kept getting up a bit over 180 on the runs, down the canyon and back up...it was steep. Only felt like puking a few times and was definitely gassed more than once and couldn't have pushed much harder, at least without puking.

I'm wondering if that max HR is decent for my age? If I should change the way I'm training? I mainly ride and then run, perhaps I need to start putting them together more. I just like having cushy running shoes when I run.

:)

Are you training to race cross? If so I'd focus more on the riding then running. I run once a week for about a mile and then do run ups with the bike during cross practice. If you are just starting then take it easy and try to build up your strength by doing longer road rides, if you are coming off a season of road racing then you should be in pretty good shape and can focus on doing intervals and of course cross specific skills like mounts and dismounts. Best thing to do would be to find another group of cross racers and have practice and mock races.

My HR is between 164, and 190 in most races (hovers around 172, I'm a master A). Cross hurts A LOT. It doesn't hurt any less, you just get faster.

I'll keep training and try to get faster. I guess my HR isn't too far out of bounds. 145-180 was the range for me during the race. Yes it hurts, I just try to keep going and at the bell I know I only have one more to go!

More races this weekend!

Just to give you an idea, I've done only 1 race, but had my Garmin with me specifically to track heart rate.

I've got a lot of road miles and I'm fairly well trained. I'm 35 and my max heart rate is 203 bpm. In the 45 minute race I varied between 176 and 192 bpm. I had an average of 184.

I found out that cross racing is a hell of a lot different from running a crit. There's no recovery and no place to hide. You just have to go out there an get mean.

http://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topic/show?id=1198434%3ATopic%3A8704

Nice thread there on cowbell.... I'm going to focus my training on cross by finding a course I can run for 45 - 60 min. No matter what I do I think it is going to hurt.... :)

If you did the races at Hood River you did have to run a lot, normally you will see the other races are flatter and not much running until it gets really muddy.
Barlow has one run up, it is steep but short, take the left route, unless you have long legs.
See you out there and have fun.
Ciao
Paolo

I did Hood River on Saturday then headed home. Yes there was an ugly run in that course and that was what killed me. I'll see you at Barlow. I've got a blue Bianchi Axis and I think I'll race in Master C again, and get my B kicked a bit more.

It looks like Barlow is going to be dry, it will be easier and faster.
I race master B and ride a Santacruz, wear a blue Nike kit.
Ciao
Paolo

There's no recovery and no place to hide.

Well said.