Sudden Increase in Peak HR Minutes

[Krystal0907]

For about the last two months, I have noticed many more minutes being logged as being in Peak Zone for me during my runs. I don't generally feel like I'm pushing myself extra hard to warrant the "peak", but about half of my minutes in zone are peak during most of my runs now. In the past, I could feel the difference in my body when I entered peak zone--harder breathing, more exertion and the feeling that I could not sustain that pace for more than a few minutes. Now, when I check my stats post-run, I am surprised to find so many peak minutes, when it was just a "normal" run for me--I never felt I was pushing to that extreme, as it felt before when it was noticeable to me. I have been running with moderate consistency-- I completed 18 weeks of marathon training while doing a "run streak" of 106 days in a row, before stepping back the mileage a bit due to oral surgery in early March and a vacation in April (I did run quite a few times during this trip though).

I'm wondering if possibly after my birthday, my heart rate zones were adjusted for my age increase and I by chance was at the threshold, and now cross over because of the age adjustment? Or could it be something else? Thanks for your input!

Stats:

Age 29 female

zones:

fat burn 95-132

cardio 133-162

peak 162+

the past few runs I've done my average heart rate:

5.1 miles 158 average

2.19 miles 156 average

7.01 miles 159 average

6.68 miles 156 average

[emili]

hey there! There is a universal calculation used for determining HR in each zone. People argue for and against this calculation, but, I think it can at least give you an idea of what's what. Fitbit uses this same calculation that is illustrated in this article. You have to do some math, but if you really have questions about how many beats is what zone for you, it might be worth it.. Calculating HR

You may also want to make sure that your HR is being taken accurately during your runs. its a pain in the neck, but do a short intense run with your phone, the app synching the entire time. Look at what its telling you your HR is at any given time vs how you feel. It could be that you are tolerating peak better because of your cardio health... or it might be your tracker isn't reading it properly.. you can always stop to take your HR manually and compare the two. if its off by a few beats, you know all is well.