I like this thread.
I’ve been training for about 1.5 years now. In that time ive learned (and I keep trying to apply this knowledge) that heart rate is a bit limited when trying to assess fitness gains.
Hard blocks of volume and will drive my heart rate lower. “Suffering,” having a huge mental aspect, can correspond to that RPE and tell me it doesn’t hurt because my heart rate is low. It’s fine at Z3 and Z2, but higher than that when the heart rate doesn’t rise to meet the demands the RPE goes up.
Adding to this, the Garmin watch I run concurrently with my KICKR, “rewards” me with a higher VO2 max score when I’m fatigued! Take a rest week, heart rate rebounds, and Garmin tells you that you’re now “unproductive” and lowers your VO2 max score. Very frustrating. I know, just a number, but let’s be honest, we live by these numbers and ignoring them is much easier said than done. For all of us.
I’ve been tempted to hide my HR info and just go by power and feel.