Today was scheduled to be my hard day. I was planning to take a easy warm up run 60-65% for 1.5 miles, do a hard run (>85%) for 3 miles, then do a easy (60-65%) cool down run for 1.5 miles. But I decided to do a max heart rate test. I walked about a half mile at a quick pace for a warm up. Then I jogged up a hill for about 150-200 yards. Then I jogged down. I then jogged faster up the hill, and jogged down. Then I ran up the hill, and walked-jogged down. Then I drove up the hill about as hard as I could. I made it most of the way up before my body needed to slow down. My heart rate hit 193. I was breathing hard, and had a pain in my side. I walked back down the hill, and headed home. When I got home, I got on the treadmill and ran 2 miles. I tried to go at 10:30 or 11:00 minute miles, but it was tough. I ended up dropping down to 12:00 minute miles. But I did keep my heart rate up above 171 (85%). I was going to try for 3 miles, but I was just tired. I dropped the speed down, and did another mile and a half keeping my heart rate at 60-65%.
When I walk at a brisk pace ~4.3 mph and my HR is <70%, I feel I can easily go the 26.2 miles. But as soon as I start to jog or run, and my HR goes up, after a little while, I think there is no way I can do 26.2 miles of this. I hope I get to the point I jog/run and maintain a sub 70% heart rate!

Posted by Rob in Running on August 29th, 2006 |