I've been running about 7 years and I've completed 6 full marathons. I'm 47 years old, 5' 9'' and 140 pounds. My question is about my heart rate during a race.
On a recent race, which was a relatively flat course (500 ft elevation gain/loss on an out and back couse), I ran 3:25:41. My average heart rate by Garmin HR monitor was 173 bpm.
My maximum actual measured HR is 188 bpm with a resting HR of 55 bpm.
According to various race tables (Daniels' training tables), my ideal HR during marathon racing is around 159 bpm. At an average HR of 173, this would be my 8K pace at 92% of max HR. Does this mean that my actual max HR is much higher (like 200-205 bpm)? Or that my high aerobic zone extends much higher than most. Or than I can run for 3.5 hours in my LT zone (which seems unlikely).
Thanks!