I'm in my twenties and would not consider myself a serious runner. However, I enjoy running 5 and 10ks with my girlfriend, who is a talented runner. I can barely beat her, running 5ks in the mid 17s. I used her HR monitor the other day, and I can't get it over 173. Shouldn't my max HR be closer to 195? Is there a way to increase your capacity, or would that just come with running more miles?
Max HR is Max HR is MAX HR. It's a physiological limit, like height....no matter what you do, you can't get taller. GENERALLY speaking you "should" have a higher max HR.....but there are exceptions, and you are (may be) one. Hal Higdon did a book back in the mid-90's called "Run Fast", and in it he refers to himself several times as having a lower max HR than he "should" have at his age throughout his career. Find you resting pulse, and your max, and work off those numbers. Are more interested in getting faster, of in having a higher max HR than yer girl?
Skylon,
Thanks for the response. It's actually really cool having a g/f very talented at something, especially an activity we can enjoy together.
I just thought I might be missing out on something, but it sounds like it just is what it is. Like I said, I'm just a health runner who is going to have to get used to getting beat by my number one woman.
Maybe you're not running at your max. Maybe your form is bad enough that muscles are your limiting factor right now.
I've known people who could get their heart rate up higher in one form of exercise, say, running, than they could in another, such as biking or swimming. Something other than cardiovascular fitness kept them from pushing things in the sports they were less practiced at.
Megan Keith (14:43) DESTROYS Parker Valby's 5000 PB in Shanghai
Official Suzhou Diamond League Discussion Thread (7-9 am ET+ Instant Reaction show at 9:05 am ET)
adizero Road to Records with Yomif Kejelcha, Agnes Ngetich, Hobbs Kessler & many more is Saturday
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
Article: Director of BU track and field, cross country steps down following abuse allegations