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Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:56 pm

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Location: Eugene, Oregon

I've been reading Seb Coe's dad's book on distance running and have decided to begin doing some training with a HR monitor. Reviewing online revealed that there are tons of choices!! Thought I'd search here before posting an found little so, new thread. Anyone care to share their thoughts and experiences?

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M45 PRs: 100: 12.04, 400: 54.83, 800: 2:23.5, 5K: 19:27



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Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:42 pm

 
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Location: NW Oregon

I have a heart rate monitor that I use. I purchased it at big 5 for about 30 - 40 dollars, a cardiosport or something. It is a basic model that lets you set the upper and lower limit, and remembers the average. It is great to use when you are running cruise intervals and such. It helps you slow down your pace when you are going too fast for the effort you are suppose to run.
If I were to get one now, I would look to the Timex ironman ones. It seems to me that for the price they have a lot of features. They can record your average heart rate for each separate interval.

IRONMAN Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor





A book that I like on using a heart rate monitor for effort based training is by Roy T Benson

Coach Benson's Secret Workouts: Coachly Wisdom for Runners About Effort-Based Training




Here is a link to Coach Benson's web site and to a software program that works with the Polar heart rate monitors that is based on his effort based training.

Roy T. Benson

Coach Roy Benson's Heart Rate Running Plan

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Age Group - M50 - 54

Old Man PR's (40 - 49 --- 800 - 2:05 / 1500 - 4:28 ) (50 - 54 --- 800 - 2:18 / 5000 - 18:23 / 10K 38:45 / 1/2 Marathon 1:29 / Marathon 3:23)



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Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:13 pm

 
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Location: Eugene, Oregon

Thanks for the info!!

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M45 PRs: 100: 12.04, 400: 54.83, 800: 2:23.5, 5K: 19:27



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Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:09 am

 HRM
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Location: Peekskill, NY

Try to get one that doesn't require returning it to the service center to replace the batteries like Polar-I have a Sigma and it's working fine so far and I can replace the batteries myself.



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Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:31 pm

 
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Location: Eugene, Oregon

That seems like it'd be a pain.

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M45 PRs: 100: 12.04, 400: 54.83, 800: 2:23.5, 5K: 19:27



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Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:14 pm

 
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I am using Polar A3 heart rate monitor and it is very effective and comfortable in use.



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Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:05 am

 
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Location: Tucson, AZ

BMo,
I like Polar for heart rate monitors. All you really need is one that computes average heart rate in order to determine your Lactate Threshold Heart Rate (LTHR/30 minute ave. heart rate) for your 1500 meter and above training. I find them useful also in sprinting to determine when your heart rate drops back down into zone 1 (zones are based on LTHR) heart rate to let you know when to begin your next interval. Also useful for doing Vo2 max intervals to improve 1500 meter time. Usually they aren't really that useful for sprinters.

However, if you really wanted to go all out look at the Garmin models (105-405). These are very useful for distance training and I am beginning to find some uses for them in long sprints as well when it comes to determining when one decouples (Falls apart...pace dropping, heart rate increasing) in a long sprint that helps determine what you need to work on in your training (strength weaknesss and so on.).

I know this is more info than is necessary but thought I would try to give you the total picture when it comes to the toys of training. Bottom line is heart rate is good in telling us how hard your body is working...then pace is good in telling us what power you are creating with that input. I think the trick to getting faster is efficiency...more speed with equal or lesser power. Efficiency is free speed...(drills, technique, and so on...) that is another story all together. Sorry for going on with this one but I love this stuff. Hope my ramblings help in some sort of way. Keep learning and asking questions. Best of luck to you.

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http://balancedtraining.vpweb.com/



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Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:50 pm

 
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Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 10:03 pm
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Location: Eugene, Oregon

Thanks all for the input, quite helpful.
Cheers!

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M45 PRs: 100: 12.04, 400: 54.83, 800: 2:23.5, 5K: 19:27



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Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:27 am

 
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i just brought new polar heart rate monitor

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polar heart rate monitors



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Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:41 am

 
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Junior Masters Athlete
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:56 pm
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Location: Tucson, AZ

Linda,
Now the trick is to learn how to use the thing. I used mine mainly for triathlon workouts in the past but having since gotten the bug to race the 400 meters again I plan on using it to determine when my heart rate drops below 120 bpm in order to know when start my next interval. In college we use to take our own pulse to figure this out and that was hit and miss...so having a heart rate monitor to basically tell you when to hit your next sprint interval is a big advantage. They are also good in determining if you are approaching an over trained state when training for distance events...But I figure the same holds true for the sprint training. Anyways, Hope you enjoy it.

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Pete
http://balancedtraining.vpweb.com/



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