Heart Rate Running

[JP the Dream Chaser]

Hi guys

Here's my experience:

1. Been using a HR monitor for 10-12 years now and found it VERY useful. Now upgraded to the Garmin 301, which I adore. I would take it for my second wife if I could! It tells me my speed, distance and average HR for all my runs. Plus it tells me the same for intervals, when I do those. The comparisons on previous runs are bloomin' fantastic.

2. Now, your army fella is talking about something a bit different. He is specifically referring to a type of training where you train, train, train your aerobic threshold. You get your body used to doing long distances with abosulutely minimal change in you HR.

3. I tried exactly this aerobic threshold style of training when I started my FLM training last November. I gave it 2 months (which proponents will tell you isn't long enough), but here's the evidence:
Starting pace for recommended HR 9.20 per mile.
After 1 month - 8.45 per mile
After 2 months - 10.10 per mile

4. This type of training also pushed a daily run, building to 1 hour minimum, with occasional days off, based on the fact that you are running within yourself, so the increae in distance doesn't tire you. Let me tell you, I was knackered for weeks, then got a virus which stayed with me for 2 months, eventually leading to my withdrawal from London.

This year I have gone back to a multi paced training approach and my long runs are now knocked out at 8.25 pace, with race times around 6.30-7min pace. My HR also changes extremely little over a long distance.

The moral of the story:

HR training is brilliant, but find the style/method that suits you. Multi pace works for me, but some of the guys on the RW Forum have had incredible results with the other approach. Oh, and the Garmins are superb!