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Guest
Guest

Nov 18, 2007 2:51 PM

Heart rate for newbie on C25K Week1

Hi,

Before my questions, a quick intro...

At the start of October I started going to the gym three times a week - mostly weights plus 10 minutes rowing. Realising I need to increase my aerobic fitness, I also started running a couple of weeks ago. I do this running (shoes from specialist store etc) outside gym time since gym sessions are at company fitness centre during working day, so they cannot be too long!

I'm 39 and never done exercise before this. I am 5'10" and weigh 195 lbs and quit smoking a year ago. My gym induction session noted my blood pressure was a little high but not abnormal (they wouldn't have let me join if over a certain limit). I had an ECG a year ago which was good - came about because of not recognising heartburn symptoms coz I'd never suffered it before.

Finally, my question - does my heart rate seem high? It's not something I've ever tracked before, but since I'm a gadget person I got myself a Polar HRM - mainly because of multiple timers to help with C25K intervals. On week 1, which, due to trouble getting in 3 sessions a week, I've actually done the week twice, I see a max of 159 and an average over the 20 minutes of 136. These rates came from my last two runs where I run about 2.75km on each run. To me, they seem high. Should I be concerned?
Click to view Cashmason's profile Legend
Cashmason
460 posts since
Oct 29, 2007
1. Nov 18, 2007 7:51 PM in response to: Guest
I am 51 years old. My max heart rate is 192. My resting heart rate today was 44. People who don't exercise have resting rates around 70 or so.

If I am racing my heart rate is often about 170 and the last hundred yards when I am sprinting it will reach 192.

Today I ran 14 miles. My average heart rate was 128, but got as high as 161.

So no, your heart rate is not high during exercise.

When you first start exercising, your heart rate while running will be high. As the months go by and you continue to exercise, your heart rate at the same effort will go down.
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Click to view HCOX's profile Amateur
HCOX
17 posts since
Oct 14, 2007
2. Nov 18, 2007 8:24 PM in response to: Guest
I am struggling with this right now. I have been running about 15 miles a week for the past year. My resting HR is about 62. I am 40, female. When I run my HR is 160 to 188 the whole time. Last month I ran a 6.7 mi relay, took about an hour and 15 min (I am slow) and I was over 180 the entire time. Most times walking around the house it is between 98 and 120.

Trying to decide if I should go to the MD or not, I have a friend who is a doctor who thinks it is to high, I think it may just be how I am.

Anyway, to answer your question,it is low compared to what I am dealing with. I would kill to have a heart rate like yours! I think you are all set.

Heather
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Click to view AEK702's profile Amateur
AEK702
31 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Nov 18, 2007 8:33 PM in response to: Guest
A more important question is are you having any symptoms- feeling faint, shortness of breath (not being out of breath from running but feeling like you CAN'T get any air even when you are walking, it's like your lungs just aren't working at all), chest pain, arm pain, jaw pain, etc... Symptoms are more concerning than an elevated HR during exercise since they are your body's way of telling you that there is a problem. I always recommend talking about health issues with a professional, and it never hurts to get a "Well person" physical once a year. You mentioned having a slightly elevated BP, honestly that concerns me more than your heart rate right now. Go get a physical, talk about the heart rate and your BPs, find out what is right for you as an individual.
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Guest
Guest
4. Nov 19, 2007 5:47 AM in response to: Guest
Thanks for the responses. I'm not getting any symptoms like feeling faint, chest pains etc. but I'll get my BP checked. My employer is offering basic health check sessions next week (cholestrol, BP, blood sugar, BMI) so I'll attend then take it from there.
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