85% Peak for most of 5km run?!

[Iguana2005]

Hi! 

Been running 5-10km for many years. I’ve recently been diagnosed with Graves Disease- hyperthyroidism. I’ve noticed my 5km run is a big struggle. Of course I keep running and slow my pace. However my peak is 85/87% for majority of run. My partner runs and stays same % in cardio. Issue I wonder? I take CoQ10. No thyroid meds. 45yrs of age. Anyone else out there running midlife with Graves? 

[Dominique]

I’m not familiar with your condition, but what I would consider first is your respective fitness levels, you and your partner. Have you been on the same level, or has your partner been running for some time, while you are new to it?

If you’ve only starting to run recently, spending 85% of the time on a 5 km run doesn’t strike me as unusual. If you keep training, your fitness will improve and your HR decrease (for the same effort), over time.

[emili]

@Iguana2005  I don't think the time spent in a certain bucket is what fitness is based on. The time it takes for your HR to come back to normal levels post activity is really what matters. Not to mention, you say that you are struggling to run now. That will for sure increase your overall HR for the duration of the run. I am 49, I have been running for 5 years and my morning run is 5 miles. I am in peak for 89% of the time. However, when I stop, my HR is back down to low 100s in less than a minute and at 70 about 15 seconds after. My overall HR does run a bit higher for about 2 hours after but that is normal with cardio. I think as with any activity, do what your doctor recommends, do what your body is good doing and don't compare your numbers to anyone else. you are you, they are themselves- not equal, not the same and as it should be. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hyperthyroidism has your metabolism running artificially high-check with your doctor to see if it is safe to do aerobics/anaerobic exercise with untreated Graves.