heart rate coupling

kjanracing

Does anyone track heart rate coupling/decoupling in WKO?  Is it useful?  Is it good info?  I usually don't wear a HRM, but I would if this would be a good think to moniter.

thanks!

Dave Campbell

I look at it from time to time out of curiosity more than anything. Not sure how usefull it is if the temps rise 20 degrees over the duration of a ride. Lots of variables to affect Hr. Might be usefull during a controlled test on a trainer??

cwhyte

For training? No. For racing? Yes.

I should point out that I know exactly where my HR needs to be in order to race well so someone who doesn't should probably spend some time understanding their HR characteristics in training first. However, keep in mind that your power:HR relationship in training will likely not equal your power:HR relationship when racing.

I think it would be interesting to track the decoupling on your long ride progression during race prep.

mkmiec

 I only train w HR, no power (yet).  I find the heart rate decoupling infomation more valuable for a long run than a long bike (for a run in WKO it is the Pace:HR, rather than the Power:HR).  I have read that under 5% is a good figure, from a Friel book or blog post, I forget what.  

Due to the varying terrain of a bike course (up a hill HR is high, down a hill, its not, etc), I just do not find it as valuable.  This is true for races and workouts.  Although with races I do see more benefit since the pace is more consistent (no lights/stops primarily).  

 

Coach Patrick

I don't usually train/race with an HRM, but I have been for Kona in preparation for the run/heat. At the end of the day, the steadier you can be over the course of your bike/run the better your overall sustained effort will be. IOW if your HR starts to go up prematurely, you will suffer somewhere in the course of your day. Watts and pace (the steady flavors) usually insure a steady HR, but in a race like Kona (or say Louisville) where the heat is an X factor, the additional HR info can be invaluable to framing your race effort and how truly steady you are being!