On average what percent of their maximum heart rate do professional triathletes race for (1) IM-distance races, and (2) 1/2 IM distance races?
Any thoughts?
In an online chat after a german tv show Normann wrote, his average HR in Kona 06 was around 165/min. His max HR is somewhere near 200.
Gordo Byrn’s avg HR during 2004 IMC (8:29) = 141 or 81% of max (174)
Wim De Doncker’s HR (during 9:00 to 10:00 IM’s) ranged from 75-79% of MHR. You can check out his HR graphs at wimdedoncker.be
Therefore, most IM racers will spend the majority of time in their steady zone (75-80% MHR) with some Mod-Hard for the fast guys (building up to approx 25% MH for the 8:30 guys).
Hope this helps.
Alan
On average what percent of their maximum heart rate do professional triathletes race for (1) IM-distance races, and (2) 1/2 IM distance races?
Any thoughts?
Not sure about pro’s - but a MOP amateur such as myself will race the entire event at top of Friel Zone 1 and in Friel Zone 2. If I were a better athlete, I guess the second half of the marathon could be done in Z3 but my muscular fatigue by that point makes such a scenario impossible.
My run LTHR is about 165…bike somewhere between 154 and 159. I try and do the bike between 120 and 135 and then the run at 135 - 145 for as long as possible.
I know you didn’t ask about a 42 year old sh!tty athlete’s HR…but that’s the only data I’ve got!!!
12:45 PB…sad, I know.
A few years ago at the IM Moo pre-race meeting, Dave Harju (two or three time IM Moo winner) said that his strategy during his first win at Moo was to not let his HR get above 140 at any point during the race. I think he said his max was about 175.