Heart Rate and Hitting the wall

[kipster]

Hi all,

Just after some thoughts of others with more knowledge than I have on this.

I am a 46, 78kg, active cyclist. The max my HR monitor has registered is 191bpm.

During a club ride on Saturday, we had just had a great peloton riding through a flat section for 30 minutes or so, all taking turns on the front. HR averaging about 170, peaking at 184 (when on the front). We turn off and the ride settles down as we all catch out breath, however my heart rate doesn't recover, no matter how steady I take it. I feel like I've hit the wall, the group (but 1) drop me as I try and get my HR under control, but for the next 13 miles, it stays high (170 -180), I feel like I have no energy. It did drop to 165 on a long descent, but should've been a lower than this. It wasn't normal (for me). The ride was 63 miles, with most of the climbing in the first 40.

Not having felt like this on a ride before I was a little worried. It was about 26 centigrade, and I don't recall drinking while on the flat bit. I think it could've all been caused by dehydration(I had eaten flapjacks and fig rolls on the ride).

I did Ride London last Sunday, but after the ride discovered I had food poisoning. Rested up for a few days.

Did I get on the bike too soon, trying to do too much and didn't look after myself? But what's with the HR staying high, does this happen when you hit the wall, when you're dehydrated??

Went home and had a snooze, got a headache and felt wiped out. I was ok again late Saturday.

Cheers
Kipster

 

[windyrider]

I am no doctor, but if your heart rate was going north while your perceived work effort was going south might be a good idea to seek qualified advise.

http://velonews.competitor.com/cycling-extremes, interesting article and some pertinent advise to us ageing athletes that more is not always better.

 

[ayceejay]

We have had numerous discussions about HRM's and heart rate training in general and in amongst the opinions is the
one that goes "HRM's have their uses but to rely solely on heart rate as an indicator of effort is a mistake".
In that temperature dehydration is bound to be a factor, remember that thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration.
Also you were pushing yourself for that 30 minutes and that was probably too muchfor your level of fitness, add to this
depletion of energy stores and there you have it.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I`ve hit the wall, well my percieved hitting the wall and my HR dropped like a stone ( however my efforts dropped as well ). Normally my HR drops from some hard efforts quite quickly if I take my foot of the gas, but say a hard effort up a hill it can max out then drop about 10bpm till it then settles down to 140ish. However once cruising it can drop to 120-130. Could be various reasons for yours staying high as per what has been posted but might be an idea to see if it happens again or at least keep an eye on it. I`m a couple of years younger than you but also 15kg heavier.

 

[Hacienda71]

I would agree with @windyrider. If it continues definitely see the doc. Heart rate recovery is a decent indicator of level of fitness but an elevated heart rate that won't go down may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs sorting. It probably is down to the issues you mention, but best to get it checked.

 

[kipster]

Thanks all, I don't rely on HR as a training tool as I am aware that there are too many variables. I know what my heart rate normally does and this was something different. It normally drops very quickly, say after a big hill. I'll keep monitoring it, do some steady and interval rides and if I see or sense a repeat I'll go off to the doctors.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

How hard were you working after that initial 30 minute burst? Once the heart rate is up there, it often requires less perceived effort to keep it high. For instance, if I do two 20 minute intervals, my AHR for the second interval is almost always higher than the first, although I'm probably working at the same intensity. To keep both the same I'd have to lower the intensity for the second interval.

Could just be that, but best to consult a Doctor to be on the safe side.

 

[ayceejay]

Can I suggest that you wear a HRM all day for a day or two and see if this tells you anything.
Riding hard like you did is only one way to get an elevated heart rate, others include sickness, stress.
alcohol and caffeine. If you have an irregular heart beat the doctor may suggest a more clinically
correct m/c for doing this but it may help yo put your mind at rest/

 

[jefmcg]

You rode 100 miles last Sunday, had food poisoning and then you did a hard ride the following Saturday? Where you might have been dehydrated? You are lucky it didn't end worse. There's no way you'd have been fully recovered by Saturday. Give your body a break to repair itself.

 

[kipster]

You rode 100 miles last Sunday, had food poisoning and then you did a hard ride the following Saturday? Where you might have been dehydrated? You are lucky it didn't end worse. There's no way you'd have been fully recovered by Saturday. Give your body a break to repair itself.

My wife is with you on this view, and she and you are right. Time for a rest and some easy rides.

Thanks to you all for the advice and pointing out my stupidness.

I'll use the easy rides to monitor, and book an appointment with the doctor.