Im asking about if when you train with power do you use your hr too? Or do you just know your watts you are cycling at and about what hr range you are in.
Im asking about if when you train with power do you use your hr too? Or do you just know your watts you are cycling at and about what hr range you are in.
??? Don’t understand the question…
I use both HR and power on the bike, and it’s good to know how the two relate. For instance, I know that for a HIM my bike HR will be in the mid 150’s and will equate to a certain wattage (around 285 for me). However, this only works for the conditions in which you train. In hotter conditions you’ll have to ride a lower wattage to maintain the same HR.
I used my knowledge of my HR/Power relationship at Vegas 70.3 this past year when it was far hotter than what I had been training in. I had a goal wattage in mind, but quickly realized that if I tried to hit my ‘goal’ watts I’d probably blow up and have a crappy run. I backed off, kept my HR in the zone that it normally is in for a HIM (mid 150’s), and ended up about 10% lower on my wattage than what I was expecting. As a result, I had a decent run and made up lots of ground in my AG.
Thanks for the info. Thats pretty much what I was looking for. I did not know if anyone knew about how many watts they produced for a certain zone. If it was a constant watt per hr. I know there are other factors to this, but was just wondering if there was a + or- certain percent of watts per hr. Say like you turn 250 watts to 150 hr, and turn 220 at 140 hr. I was just trying to compare the two if it was possible. I hope I cleared up my question a bit. I do not have a power meter and was asking if I could guesstimate my power off of my hr and effort.
Thanks
I only look at watts, for a few reasons
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that way I don’t have to wear a heart rate strap, or worry about it pickup up my heart rate properly
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heart rate is extremely stochastic and hard to predict and account for. It might be higher at a given wattage for any number of reasons, including sometimes because you are MORE fit, not less fit. So, it can be a distraction and unnecessary cause for worry sometimes.
on the other hand, for older guys, it can also provide an early sign of heart problems, so that is something to consider. it could also be a backup plan for pacing if the power meter goes out in a race.
I think you are missing a 3rd data point that can help correlate the two data points - lactate threshold.
No you can’t get your watts from your HR. If you could PMs would be pretty redundant and way over priced.
If you use something like trainer road to get virtual power you could try to see where you are, but honestly I think RPE would be a better indicator of your approximate wattage than HR.
For one thing HR lags effort. Think about this, how long does it take your HR to drop after you stop running. You could be coasting and your HR would indicate that you were still pushing 200 watts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Uz29Bdyl4
Here’s an interview with Andy Potts where he talks about training with HR, speed, and power by varying one of the 3 each workout. Interesting approach.
That and the fact he moves to San Diego to ride his frigging trainer.
yeah consider if you will, a perfectly paced 40k TT, or perfectly paced 20 minute intervals.
Power would be constant the whole time. Say, 250 watts, for the whole interval.
While heart rate would start very low and gradually get higher and higher and higher and at the finish be pretty close to max.
So, what is heart rate telling you, in those situations, that is actionable, useful information? Pretty hard to parse that on the fly - “is my HR too high? or is it supposed to be this high 30 minutes in? Or did I just have too much coffee this morning?”
yeah consider if you will, a perfectly paced 40k TT, or perfectly paced 20 minute intervals.
Power would be constant the whole time. Say, 250 watts, for the whole interval.
While heart rate would start very low and gradually get higher and higher and higher and at the finish be pretty close to max.
So, what is heart rate telling you, in those situations, that is actionable, useful information? Pretty hard to parse that on the fly - "is my HR too high? or is it supposed to be this high 30 minutes in? Or did I just have too much coffee this morning?"
Excellent point. I do find that my HR does level off during intervals after about 5 minutes; assuming the session isn’t all out. Natethomas had an excellent point about how he used HR to adjust for a tougher than “normal” race situation. I have to admit I’ve been a power skeptic (kinda) for a long time. Even though I’ve been recording it for 8 years. In the last few months though, I’ve found it quite beneficial for training - Thanks to getting it hammered into my thick skull by you guys on ST.
Old dog learning new tricks. Will miracles never cease?
Enjoy the journey!