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Can't get into the right HR zones ...

I'm in week 4 of the OS, coming back after 18 months of no training at all. On my Thursday trainer ride it took me almost 5 minutes to get into my zone 4 HR and then I could barely stay there. (Yes, I'm currently training by HR ... am upgrading to Power soon). I was actually pushing a HIGHER resistance than normal (one full gear), and my cadence was about 85 (a little bit slower than what I normally train at, but not much). Is it possible that I've seen some fitness gains already? Or is my body just violently protesting and telling me to back off?

Comments

  • Jennifer - remember that HR is a lagging indicator of the work you are doing.  It will always take some time to get it up to the range at which you seek to train.  Having said that, I suspect that you are seeing some gains already from the OS after your layoff.  As you gain fitness as evidenced by pushing a higher gear, it will generally take your HR longer to get up to the same range as it took when you were less fit.  I suggest that you just continue to follow the OS plan, make sure you take Monday and Friday as rest days to recover, and predict you'll see some nice improvements in your next test.  NIce work!!

  • x2 what Bruce said. Just remember Jennifer, gains come when you do the work and then rest allowing your body to rebuild stronger then before. Rinse and repeat.
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