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 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: 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’ve noticed that my heart rate at lactate threshold decreases as my fitness increases. This seems counterintuitive. I would think that a better-trained athlete should be able to push to a higher heart rate before reaching lactate threshold. — Justin M. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: The question that occurs to me is, How do you calculate your lactate threshold? Are…
Question: I like to do rides of 100 to 200 miles and find that as a long ride goes on, my hear rate increases even though my speed and perceived effort remain constant. What’s going on? — Macklin G. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: What you’re experiencing is a phenomenon called “cardiac drift.” If researchers put you on…
