I've been noticing that my heart rate while running has been higher the past few months than usual. I compared my HR stats from this time last year to now and there is a pretty significant jump. I used to have no trouble keeping my HR for easy runs below 155, but now I have to slow down from that same pace to get below 160.
I also ran the same race last year and my average HR was 156; ran it last Sunday and my average HR was 178. Exact same course, and the pace was 30 seconds slower this year than in the past. I feel like I'm in the same shape that I was, but maybe the HR is telling me I'm not? Any thoughts as to what's going on ?