Question: After warming up and beginning to push, my heart rate climbs to 85% of max and I breathe hard. It’s uncomfortable and I’m hurting. In about 15 minutes, my heart rate climbs even higher, to 90% of max –but I’m not breathing as hard and the effort is more comfortable. What’s going on? —…
Question: I’m 24 years old and overweight (40 pounds down, 50 more to go). I’ve been riding about two months. Since the temperature has been dropping into the low 50s, I’ve noticed that my heart rate doesn’t climb into the zones I am accustomed to, except on hills. Is the cold air to blame for…
Question: The last time I did intervals, my heart rate was about 15 beats per minute higher than usual — it peaked at 184, a new high for me — and the workout was a huge effort. Does this indicate overtraining? I hope not because a week off to recover would be a real setback…
Question: I’m 38 years old, 170 pounds and ride 5-7 hours per week doing a mix of intervals, hills and endurance. My heart rate has always been high compared to guys I ride with. I’ll see a max of 194 bpm during a big climb and average 165 bpm at 17-18 mph on flat-to-rolling terrain. …
Question: I frequently start rides within 30-60 minutes of waking up. Often this means I’m on the road at 5 a.m. My heart rate stays low for about 25 miles, but after that it reaches normal levels. Why? — Phil H. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: I suspect that getting up and out so early means your…
