Wondering what everyone's experience is with average HR in races vs tempo workouts. My race HR is always higher and I'm wondering if this is normal or if my training efforts are too low.
F. ex - last 3 HM races had an avg HR of 167-168. Last marathon avg was 161 and it was slightly higher in the previous.
My tempo efforts and race pace efforts are generally in the 158-161 range.
In theory, a marathon is sub-threshold effort, and the HM is at or just under, so they should be under 161. Of course, other factors can come into play. Rest, caffeine, nerves, etc.
Just wondering if I'm leaving something on the table during the tempo efforts. I run them based on a combination of perceived effort and pace relative to the race I'm training for.