Interesting heart rate discussion about the possible impact of Covid on HR.
It would be great if TR could display historical HR data for us (like the power data). I have no idea what my max HR was over the last 3-4 years, but it would be cool to be able to run a report to see it.
Perfect timing, can’t wait to listen. Just got done with a VO2max 4x5min workout yesterday where I had accidentally set my pedals as my power sensor instead of the Kickr. This lead to a bit of oscillation around the target power with brief highs as high as as 110%. At the end of the second interval, I was gasping for breath. Luckily I figured out the sensor issue and that made the final two intervals relatively easy, at most very-hard RPE instead of max-effort RPE. Second interval (pedal power source) had my max HR at 172bpm while the fourth interval (kickr power source) had my max HR at 169bpm.
(Technically, I don’t know whether this was the result of oscillation or whether there is a slight average watt difference between the power meters– they seem close but I haven’t compared readings taken over time yet.)
An LLM model (I know…) wrote that this extreme-gasping sensation could be a mark of a good VO2max interval and suggested maybe going into these 4x5min intervals with a 15s 125-150% hard start to get my HR further up. Seems plausible? So I’m interested to hear what the podcast has to say about this!
At age 70 I laugh out loud whenever I hear Jonathan and any guest talk about aging. I am curious that TR seems to be emphasizing heart rate after years of being dismissive of HR reliability in training. For years I have ridden to power and RPE, so when my heart rate strap stopped working, I was content to not replace it and certainly don’t miss the band around my chest.
Given @Jonathan’s praise of 5x5 intervals, I’m surprised that the TR catalog is so limited with this type of workout. At my AI suggested FTP, there are no workouts that fall into that 1-2.5% failure rate that TR seems to target. There is a good selection of 4x5s in the 90 min time frame. I did one of those (Haw) this week and felt like it was some excellent novel stimulus for my climbing road race prep where my efforts will be 20min plus).
No shortage of 30/30s, though!
I’d happily build my own 5x5 workouts if TR supported survey response predictions for those.
I think 30/30s are good for re introducing intensity after you have had a break from VO2 work. They are less mentally and physically intimidating, more frequent rests let you clear the burn to go again. I think the longer 4 minute or so intervals are better for pushing your top end aerobic fitness, and training your body to handle extended red zone efforts. I also think the longer efforts are better suited to those of us with diesel engines. I am a diesel.
When i recommence training I start with 30/30s, then move on to the longer 4 min intervals. There is something to be said for trying the ones you find the most challenging as well.
I’m on rolling race plan currently in build phase. Checked my calendar and all my vo2max session are max 2 min? Won’t it be beneficial to have those “long suprathreshold” 3-5 min intervals in there instead? What do I miss?
