Garmin shows every run at 92% of max HR - How?!

running_t wrote:

I don't really want to invest in a chest monitor just to test if the watch is correct, is there any better ways I can ascertain the watches accuracy?

No. the wrist reading is not accurate. It reads up to 20bpm higher on me than when i use a chest strap.

the wrist usually does a good job over the length of long runs, but sometimes it's out of whack. when it doesn't seem right, I'll stop my run and check pulse on my neck. Sometimes I'm shocked to find the watch is accurate, but typically it is way off.

80% of the time, it does what it's supposed to do.

Hi again guys! I thought I'd chime back in with my results. I picked up a Wahoo Tckr! and started wearing it for my last few runs and comparing it to my Garmin. I have to say, the Garmin seems to be the accurate one somehow.. I have no idea what is going on with my heart rate but it seems no matter how fast I run, it's always coming in at 175-180 average!

I ran a 10k at 5:00km/m pace, from the 3rd kilometre it stayed steady at 177-180bpm for the rest of the run.

I then took the advice given here and ran a 10k at a slower pace of 5:30km/m. My heart rate was 175~bpm from the third kilometre onward.

Finally, today I ran a 10k at what felt like a snail pace of 6:00km/m. Yet still, my average heart rate was consistently 175-178bpm. Barely any different than what I was getting when I ran at close to my race speed! I just can't seem to get it lower no matter how slow I run!

In terms of recovery, I'm back down to less than 120 after a minute or two walking, and further down to 80 after 15 minutes, So my heart doesn't seem to have a problem slowing down when I actually stop running. I just can't workout how to make it slow down during my run, even when I run slowly! Any ideas?! I find it crazy that my HR is the same no matter what speed I run, even with the chest strap!

I am yet to do a max HR test but will report back when I do.

Interesting results!

I can think of a few possible scenarios, but ‘not a doctor’ & probably more:

Wondering, have you been running regularly for 6 months or longer? If not, you might just not be fit. I was looking back at some earlier HRs of my own from a few months into running and every run averaged in the 145-150 region, though my max was over 180. Mine did vary a lot more than the trace you showed, but I live in a hilly area, don’t know about you. (In contrast, now I run 10k with a steady HR anywhere between ~125 to ~168, from recovery to race pace).

Assuming you’ve been running for a while:

1) You are fine and your HR is normal related

to effort and fitness. In this scenario, you run on flat terrain & you’ll find you have a high max HR, 215, and you’re just seeing the low end of your working range. Good news, you’ve got a lot of upside to go faster!

2) You’re fine and your HR works in an unusually tight range. Normal HR charts won’t do you much good.

3) Something is wrong and you need to see a Dr. (bonus, since we can now blame COVID for everything), have you had COVID? A set of long hauler symptoms are related to the autonomic system not functioning properly (the bits controlling breathing, heartbeat, etc). POTS is the best known example.

@lurker

Hi mate,

Sorry for the slow reply! Been super busy. Yes, I thought it was interesting too!

I've been running about a year, more and more recently. For contrast, I couldn't run a 3k in under 23 minutes last April - so I've come a little way fitness-wise! I'll address your suggestions one-by-one.

1 ) Yes, I run on nearly all flat terrain in the city. I spoke to a fella in the running shop near me who suggested the same thing, that my max HR is just higher than I think. I'll definitely have to do a max HR test to confirm this. For reference, I ended my 10k today with a fast pace and it got up to 189 after sprinting the last 400m. I felt fine afterwards, just out of breath. The average increased as the run went on. 143, 165, 170, 174, 177, 180, 183, 183, 183, 184!

2) Perhaps, when I run with my girlfriend at a pace of 7:00km/hr I work at around 135-140.

3) I had an ECG done about a year ago and they were happy with everything, and recently spoke to my doctor about some concentration-related stuff. We discussed running briefly, and she seemed to be of the opinion that as long as I'm not going dizzy, feeling faint or losing my balance when it gets that high then not to worry!

I should probably note that I do smoke moderately, maybe 5 a day, which might be causing it to increase perhaps? Down from 20 (I know, still nothing to be proud of!) but hoping to kick it soon and maybe that'll help the situation :)