I never really trained with a heart rate monitor when I was training hard for Ironman California in 2000. 1 month prior to the race I did the Boston Maraton in 3:05 without too much problem. I did Ironman Ca in 10:35 including a 3:35 marathon. Since that time my training has been substantially reduced, but have tried to pick it up alittle lately. It doesn’t seem that much has happened to my bike speedand heart rate, however my runs (7miles or less) have seen obscene heart rates (170bpm) at obscenely slow paces (8:30-9:00) If I try to keep my heart rate down it is barely a run. If I keep it like this will I get the benefits down the road, where I will be able to run 7:00-7:30 pace. If so how long will it take?
You will not likely benefit much from a HR monitor. You are already pretty fast. If you “train” in the zones outlined - you will too slow since you can sustain 170 plus without much of a problem it seems. I am similar to you.
I basically only wear mine in the winter for long, slow runs to slow me down some, and add about 5-10 based on “books”. Once you get used to the numbers, it also helps in the heat and if you are overtrained (which you might be as well).
it’s worthless unless you know what it’s telling you. It doesn’t seem like you know what it’s telling you. Forget it and run by feel.
Don’t bother with it until you can get someone to teach you how to use it.