Hello!
I'm preparing for running a half-marathon or two this upcoming fall. This time around I was hoping to do more target training using zones and what-not, but I question the accuracy of Fitbit's targeted zones using heart rate. I could just have a naturally high heart rate that doesn't fit the whole 220-age algorithm, but i'm not sure. I'm currently 24.
For example, I ran a half-marathon back in October. The fitbit had it marked at a pace of 8'55", my average heart rate was 170bpm and I was in my peak zone for 89% of the time. For the months before that, every time I ran (5 miles to 10 miles every other day), the fitbit had me at my peak almost 98% of the time. The lowest I had it be was probably when I did a 14.5 mile run and it had my average heart rate at 166bpm (~62% of the time at Peak and 37% in Cardio). My resting heart rate during this training period ranged from 60-70 over the course of the few months, being 65 the day of the half marathon. So it's not unusually high or low.
My concern is that if I don't have a naturally high heart rate, I may be pushing my training too hard. But monitoring myself for breathing is what I would expect it to be for the effort I put in.
Now that i'm training for a half marathon or two this upcoming fall, I'm trying to determine an exercise routine that would rely a bit more on my heart rate zones (A cardio-heavy workout or peak-heavy workout, or even interval training). But if i'm pushing 160-180 bpm in most workouts that I feel satisfied with, am I starting to harm my training? It's just that if I run at something that's 120bpm, I feel like i'm really just walking and not working out. At first I thought it was just an inaccurate sensor, but after checking my carotid pulse it's pretty accurate.
So two things I guess: 1) Is it alright if i'm peaking almost all the time in a workout or is it harming my training, do I need to slow down even though i'm comfortable or 2) Should I adjust my zones using a different algorithm instead of what fitbit sets up for you?
