Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Long Slow Run Advice Needed

Today's workout:

brisk walk - 75 minutes
upper body - 15 minutes
planks - 5 minutes
bicycles 40 reps

I get bored holding the High Plank position for one minute, so today I did them with a twist.  Makes the time go quicker I think.  And, I had much better form on my Side Planks today.  I only managed to hold them 15 seconds each, more due to balance issues than weakness, I think.  Perhaps I will do a modified version until I get them down.

I realized today that I haven't been using my heart rate monitor since I started running again after my 2 month layoff.  I used to wear it faithfully when I ran alone, but not when running with The Captain.  Since I resumed running, all my runs have been with The Captain... this next Saturday's run is going to be sloooow, and, as per a suggestion from Vanessa, I am going to attempt it without any walk breaks.  Might be a good day to wear the HRM.

I have been reading various web sites, trying to figure out what is suggested as a % of maximum heart rate for long slow runs.  I have found 2 different answers.

One is 67% - 77% of maximum, and the other is 52% - 64% of maximum.  There is a big discrepancy there.  I am going to keep looking.

If anyone has any advice, I would be more than happy to have it... I do have a few days to figure this out.

5 comments:

  1. you are so inspiring with the planks! I would like to get better at them as well!

    I finally have a HR monitor but have no idea how to use it!! i would like to give it a shot but want to learn more about it first as well! good luck!

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  2. Not sure about the heartrate for long runs, but just go easy enough that conversation at that pace is easy.

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  3. Good morning,
    I am following along... something in your post made me smile... I remember buying a HM as well wore it everywhere... then I just stopped... I appreciate your running information, my daughter runs daily... I worry she isnt following any real program.. Good luck on your "slow run" on Saturday!

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  4. Aw, thanks. I am working on them!

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  5. Thanks for the advice, Christy. That should be an easy indicator.

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