I have this problem too. I only really focus on my heartrate when I’m trying to stay in zone 2. But my training runs like tempos and strides or race I just go based on effort, but try not to max out my heartrate.
That being said, I love gadgets, I use a chest HR strap that does a pretty good job reading my HR accurately compared to my Suunto 5 peak watch. I use the HR data in short and long term reports. What was my run like today? Am I improving or not?
When I first started running and recording my HR I was super fixated on it, to the point that every time I looked down at my watch I saw it go up. It was stressing and tensing me up. My brother, who’s a much more experienced runner than I am, told me that unless I’m shooting up into my max HR on easy to medium difficult runs I should just focus on effort, breathing, and form. He said those three things will help me relax, HR will just throw me off during a run.
I have this problem too. I only really focus on my heartrate when I’m trying to stay in zone 2. But my training runs like tempos and strides or race I just go based on effort, but try not to max out my heartrate.
That being said, I love gadgets, I use a chest HR strap that does a pretty good job reading my HR accurately compared to my Suunto 5 peak watch. I use the HR data in short and long term reports. What was my run like today? Am I improving or not?
When I first started running and recording my HR I was super fixated on it, to the point that every time I looked down at my watch I saw it go up. It was stressing and tensing me up. My brother, who’s a much more experienced runner than I am, told me that unless I’m shooting up into my max HR on easy to medium difficult runs I should just focus on effort, breathing, and form. He said those three things will help me relax, HR will just throw me off during a run.