semaj

We don't live in a vacuum. Especially when trying to determine max and resting heart rates. From what I understand, stress plays a role--rather a big role, when determining max and resting heart rates. For example, before attending my first race / criterium at El Dorado Park two weeks ago, my max recorded heart rate for that 1 hour criterium session was 183 bpm in which I did not place and a week later my second race at El Do gave me 179 bpm which I got third place. Both races averaged at approximately 24 mph. Yet in my training rides, I have never been able to come close to my racing max of 183 bpm. Could this be due to increased stress from anxiety due to lack of group riding and racing experience prior to the first race? Noted, my first race I was nervous as hell. I only had one group ride prior to that and it was with a slow 14 mph average ride with older non racing recreational riders. The second race I felt really confidant and level headed. Not mentally stressed like the first race.

Now since both of these "max heart rates" were recorded during race day with added stress and anxiety, would it be wise to train with resting heart rates recorded right before the race on race day? Lately I've been measuring my resting heart rate about an hour after I wake up--a month or two ago yielded a resting heart rate of approximately 55 bpm. Today my resting heart rate is around 43 bpm. Now when using the Karvonen method [((HRmax − HRrest) × %Intensity) + HRrest] of calculating training heart rate zones would my training zone be thrown off due to the lack of stress in the mornings of my recorded rested heart rates? How do you guys record your Training Heart Rate Zones? Anyone here use the Zoladz method?

In case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about (Karvonen and Zoladz) here's the wiki article on them both: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate#Karvonen_method

merlinextraligh

1)You're seeing your max HR in races, because races push you harder than you can push yourself. Your true max HR is likely to show itself in a race or a competitive group ride.

2) Screw Karvonen. Do a field test, and find your lactate threshold and set your zones off that.

An individual's lactate threshold heart rate, as a percentage of their max HR varies with a lot of factors, most notably the indivuals' genetic make up

These a methods are at best rough approximations to be used on Lifecylces by casual exercisers at the Gym. Not the basis for a serious training program.