HR Test A Bit Low?

[c0nsumer]

Hey there! On the recommendation of some friends who have successfully used your plans in the I picked up the 100 Mile MTB Race Finisher Plan via TrainingPeaks, starting things on Monday. 

This weekend I swapped my the Saturday and Sunday rides around since I had more time to ride on Saturday, so I set out for the 4 hour ride keeping my HR in Zone 2. I had no problem meeting this goal, and felt quite comfortable throughout the whole ride. Now that I’m done I also don’t feel like it took much effort. 

Is it possible that during the 20 minute HR test I tested a bit low? Due to weather and not having any local places where I can ride all-out for 20 minutes without traffic I did the test on the trainer, with my average coming in at 153. During a recent gravel road race I averaged 157 for almost 2.5 hours, and last autumn during a CX race I averaged 172 for a bit over half an hour. 

Should I redo the test (perhaps differently), or is the perceived ease of today’s ride just part of being early on in the plan, the need to get base miles in, and/or something that I don’t yet understand? 

Thanks very much!

[Lynda]

Based on the info you provided your test does look to have produced a low HR. I'd guess your threshold heart rate to be closer to 165 bpm. Redoing the test outdoors is a good idea.

FYI: Race derived average heart rates are usually an overestimate of what is appropriate to use in training due to the extra race day excitement and stimulation.

Lynda

[c0nsumer]

Thanks very much, Lynda.

 

I'll try and find a good outdoor area to redo the test ASAP.

[c0nsumer]

Good call on that. I redid the test today using the best available contiguous area here (a slightly rolling six mile loop of local park road) and averaged 166 over 21 minutes.

I’ll go readjust my zones accordingly.

Thanks a bunch!

[Author]

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