KiddSisko

So I'm laying bed last night just before zoning out and I begin to hear a creak somewhere within my bed frame, the creak happening every second or so. What in the world? As I lay there trying to figure out what it could be, I realized that it was synchronized with my heart rate. My heart pumping blood was causing the mattress to wobble just enough to cause the bed frame to shift and make that noise! It seemed so slow though. Curious, I flicked on the light, grabbed my chrono watch and monitored my heart rate. Somewhere around 52 was the result. Much, much lower and more efficient than a few years ago when I renewed my love of cycling after years of neglect.

I'm reminded of my progress at the end of every ride where I have to climb a steep 1/5 mile long hill to get home. When I first began taking on the steep hills around me, that 1/5 mile was torture. It was often the ride of the day. After struggling to the top in the lowest gear on my triple crank bike, I'd ride around in a figure 8 at the intersection for several minutes to settle my heart down and catch my breath to continue the rest of the way, which included another steep brief hill.

That routine lasted weeks until I felt strong enough to climb the whole way without stopping at the top to circle. Eventually the gearing I used would change so that I wasn't relying on the lowest gear to make it to the top. It remained a dreaded finish to any ride, however. A few years later, I now look forward to it because it's a reminder of how far I've come. And in all this time, I've only walked my bike up twice - once because my chain broke, and only once because my legs were shot from too many miles and too many hills.

I may need a stronger bed to support my heart.

CyciumX

Holy S***! It never once occurred to me to check my HR @ rest. Just did - 58! That is tons better than it used to be... I think somewhere near 80 or 90! back when I was 270+

coasting 

very nice story.

2 weeks ago I went for a ride with a very strong rider with whom I haven't ridden for a long time. I had been avoiding a particular hill because I remember it was so steep that i just didn't want to ride up it. Well he went straight up and I struggled up slowly behind, but even so, it was nowhere near as steep as I remembered it.

waterrockets 

It is weird. Good job on the improvement.

I can hear my pulse when it gets below 40. My rhr is around 37, and it shakes me a bit if I'm awake.

waterrockets 

It is weird. Good job on the improvement.

I can hear my pulse when it gets below 40. My rhr is around 37, and it shakes me a bit if I'm awake.

coasting 

i see a peeing contest brewing.

CrimsonKarter21

My heart rate is 0.

Suck it, losers...

Gluteus

You need a new mattress.

caloso

A few years ago I accidentally discovered that I can hear my heartrate perfectly if I have my earlobe scrunched up just right on my pillow. I just open my eyes and check the clock on the nightstand. I check it every few days, especially if I'm in a heavy training period. If I'm 10 or more bpm above normal I take a day off.

roy5000x2

If you've got an HR monitor, throw it on while you sleep, and look at the results. The resulting graph looks pretty cool.

waterrockets 

absolute rhr's not an indication of fitness or speed. I'm sure I get beaten by guys with a 55bpm rhr.

My sedentary rhr in high school was in the upper 60s.

waterrockets 

absolute rhr's not an indication of fitness or speed. I'm sure I get beaten by guys with a 55bpm rhr.

My sedentary rhr in high school was in the upper 60s.

coasting 

that is so funny. i heard my heart rate on my pillow last night for the first time. I wonder if it has something to do with the over exersion I had on saturday.

waterrockets 

rip ck21

waterrockets 

rip ck21

Gluteus

When I stand on the bathroom scale, I can see the needle oscillating following my hear beat.
(54 at rest).

coasting 

if this is going to turn into a peeing contest, I warn you I have a pack of beta blockers to hand.

caloso

I would, but my wife already thinks I'm plenty weird enough.

Gluteus

grwoolf

I'll pee/play....

10 months ago - 6'1" and 210lbs, resting heart rate in the mid 70's, out of breath going up a flight of stairs.

Today (5,000 miles later) - under 180lbs, resting hr in the high 40's (I've seen high 30's a few times while really relaxing).

I know HR is not a direct indicator of fitness, but it's pretty interesting to follow how aerobic fitness seems to affect it.

At 41, I am easily in the best aerobic shape of my life, I just wish I could loose the last bit of spare tire around my waist. I think I need to work on my diet. My arms keep getting wimpier, but my gut is still holding on.

Bo-Ridley

I have some very, very bad news for you.

Bo-Ridley

I can see my pulse on the inside of my right elbow if I hold it at a 90 degree angle. Actually, both elbows.

waterrockets 

Yep, cut the intensity out of your training (you should be able to breathe through your nose for the whole ride), and just eat less. I dropped 13 lbs in 5 weeks. (6'4", went from 183 to 170)

FallsApart

Peeplay. Gross.

Good story, Kiddsisko. While i've never had the bed shake, I've had a few similar experiences. For one, when I was a runner in college and about 129 (i'm 5'8"), I could see my heart beat move in my chest, stomach, and hip. Pretty strange.

A little later, I spent a week in the Cardiac ICU because of Lyme Disease. I was running 60-80 mile weeks at that point, and haven't been in as good shape since. At night, I was hooked up to all the machines via electrodes. The nurse came running in once in the middle of the night - my heart rate had dipped into the low 20s, and had triggered alarms. Nothing like waking up to a code...

At that point, my heart rate was mostly in the mid 40s while laying down, and if i was really calm and still/on the edge of a nap, i would be in the 30s.

The human heart is incredible. It's so forceful when it's that low.

(知さん)

I've got one of those polar f11's it has sonic sync anyone know how to use it?