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HR and NP not making sense

rklingrkling
in General Training Discussions

I recently did a workout with 4 x 10' (2') at FTP.    My HR numbers didn't make sense based on what I felt my effort was and what my NP was.  My LTHR is 159 and FTP is 239.  The numbers that I got were below.  Cadence during each of these was 87-88 RPM, so it wasn't a low cadence issue.  Can any of you explain this to me?  Thanks.

NP 221, 238, 245, 246

HR 126, 138, 139, 140

Richard

Comments

  • dan_forbesdan_forbes

     Hi Richard, were you outside or inside?  I ask because if you are giving average HR numbers you may recover quickly on the downhills and your HR will drop quickly and I have found that my HR monitor outside doesn't read as well as it does inside so there are a lot of zeros added in.  Have you tested recently?  If you have, obviously your numbers are there, but if not, your fitness may have improved and it isn't as hard for you to push those numbers.  But, I wouldn't worry too much, if you are using power, HR is a far second in my book of what matters when you analyze, you can't argue with wattage.  So if nothing seems to get you the answer you want, get rid of the HR strap and just deal with the power numbers, they are the only ones that really matter in the end.  Good luck.

    Dan 

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

     Richard, yeah, when I first started out here I kept wanting to adjust my workouts based on my HR. Got my hand slapped gently, and have since just stuck with altering my FTP based on one of the four suggested testing methods. If the intervals seemed to easy, go ahead and squeeze in a test, you've got time 10 weeks out from Pacific Crest to get it right.

  • NortonNorton
    Richard, during a long training block like the OS or an IM program my (and most folks) HR tends to be depressed by fatigue. This why the EN protocol makes sense; we leave the HR out, focussing on power and pace rather than such a wonky variable.
  • rklingrkling
    Thanks for the replies. I was pounding away inside, so no hills. And, I just tested the week previous, so the numbers were pretty current. But, I agree, I'm more apt to follow my power than HR. I won't worry about it; I'm just going to be happy that I'm was able to keep the NP up through the entire set.

    Richard
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Posted By Richard Ling on 19 Apr 2010 11:32 PM

    Thanks for the replies. I was pounding away inside, so no hills. And, I just tested the week previous, so the numbers were pretty current. But, I agree, I'm more apt to follow my power than HR. I won't worry about it; I'm just going to be happy that I'm was able to keep the NP up through the entire set.



    Richard



    I think you nailed the answer yourself..you rode well with NP, and that's the best thing. IF it was all screwy, that's another...you are just relearning your HR from the power perspective, it will make sense soon!

    P

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