BEEF

As always... love my Polar watch.

Phil

I am 32 yrs old.

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Resting heart rate can be affected by 4 other factors: altitude, recovery, overtraining and illness.

1. Altitude

When you go to high altitude (above 5000 ft.), your body responds by increasing heart rate (at rest and during exercise). This elevation in heart rate can be temporary and should decrease with acclimatization to the altitude.

2. Recovery

Your resting heart rate increases if your body is still recovering from a high level of stress. If you find that resting heart rate is elevated, reducing the day’s planned volume and/or intensity of exercise is suggested. Continuing to push the body when it is unable to recover can result in overtraining.

3. Overtraining

Overtraining can occur when the stress placed on the body is greater than its ability to adapt. The stress can be physical (i.e. exercise) or mental (i.e. job, sleep, etc.). Overtraining typically results in an increase in resting heart rate (over several days) and reducing the planned volume and/or intensity of exercise is recommended.

4. Illness

If you are coming down with an illness (cold, flu, etc.) your resting heart rate may be elevated. In this case rest or a reduction in exercise stress is recommended.

Learn more at polarusa.com.  Feel free to post your questions and/or comments!

First my equipment/resources:  RS800CX, G3, S3 and ProTrainer 5.0, MapMyRun.

 I have mapped multiple courses into MapMyRun.  I have been using the mapped distance as "truth".   I calibrate my S3 off of MapMyRun distance measurement.

My G3 data (when not using S3) imported from RS800 into ProTrainer5.0 is always lower than the GPX import of same run into MapMyRun.  I would expect the distance calculation to be relatively the same.  My average variance to date (22 samples ~ min 6 miles per) is at least 4%.  As previously noted, GPX import to MapMyRun is alwasy higher.

My average variance between ProTrainer v5.0 distance data and MapMyRun is ~7.5%.

 Both of these seem a bit too wide for GPS based data.  Is ProTrainer and MapMyRun utilizing altitude variance differently.  It's really the only variable I can think of as rationale for the consistent variances I'm seeing.

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1: After each use detach the transmitter connector from the strap and rinse both under running water. (Dirt impairs the elasticity and functioning of the transmitter.) Dry the transmitter connector with a soft towel.  

2: Really, it’s important to detach the transmitter connector from the strap after each use! Sweat and moisture may keep the electrodes wet and the transmitter activated. This will shorten the battery life. Also, if the snaps are often left moist, the resulting oxidation could hinder the functioning of the transmitter.

3: Do wash the strap regularly in a washing machine at 40ºC/104ºF, or at least after every fifth use. This ensures reliable measurement and maximizes the life span of the transmitter. Always wash the strap if you train in pool water with high chlorine content.

Learn more about care and maintenance for your Polar product

I decided something had to be done so started training. At first not sure what to do i agreed with some guys at work to do and event called 'Race The Sun' in September 2008. The event consists of 2 x 25 mile bike rides, 1100 metres mountain climb and 5 mile canoe. It was a tough undertaking but gave me a focus. I set about training, mostly doing as much cycling as i could do. By the time the event came around i was down to 15 and half stone. That was still too heavy and a result the event was a struggle but managed to do it in a touch under 9 hours, but i was the slowest on the team and thats what annoyed me the most.

This year i am doing Off road London - Brighton ride which is 78 miles again in September. But this time i am full prepared for it. I am down to a healthy 14 stone with body fat at 18%. I still have a few weeks to go so hopefully can drop that down further. I train by cycling into and home from work ( i have included my rides on the group ). This is about 30 miles round trip and i try to do this at least 3 times a week plus an advanced RPM class saturday mornings. I have included anouther couple of routes that i use for training as well.

This time i am determined not to be the slowest ! I have lost 3 stone in weight and nearly 20% in body fat in just over 18 months... It is never going to be easy but giving yourself a focus to train for really helped me. All i need now is something to get me to the next level, maybe something i can use to read my heart rate.... if only i had something like that, that next step would be insight ! haha - thanks for reading

tail? And what defines success? A gold medal….or a child’s admiration?

My story begins beneath the dirt, down in the depths where no human should go. I’m pretty sure I felt the thud of runner’s feet over my head. I know I was breathless, but not because

of any effort. Breathless from the wonder of how deeply one can sink.

Once I began to emerge from the nadir, I got a glimpse of the people who belonged to those feet over my head. I caught sight of the swimmers whose arm strokes glided over the water. I felt a hint of passion as cyclists hummed past. And I wanted to be them. All of them.

It is now years later. It took some time to crawl back to humankind. But now, with my

Polar strapped to my wrist, I run…and glide…and hum. Maybe not as quickly as I’d

like, but I move nonetheless. The watch communicates my heart to me. I am in sync with myself each time I look down at its unblinking face. Something I was missing those years ago, a link to life. And now?  How can I possibly fail.

Diana

Moongoddess

I dont care about the GPS features. The 800 watch series seems like the best option but is expensive. I would like to use the cadence option.

I was wondering if the pro trainer software is worth it?

Does the infared data transfer work?

Is the elevation accurate?

Is the cost worth it?

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adambork

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The Reading marathon has about 12 000 participants and people tell me it’s the last big preparation race for many of those running the London marathon.   I’d had a really good taper, and had done plenty of eating and relaxing in the preceeding days -  so come marathon morning I was really ready to run. Restless legs. A good sign!  

The starting area at Reading was one big wind swept car pack outside of a football stadium, and since we got to the race 2 hours early we sought refuge in a hotel lobby and did some stretches. I think that was our best move since there was no chance of running any warm ups.  

By the time the race started the sun had come out and and conditions were pretty much perfect. I had planned to run with the 1:40 pacer, but after a first mile or so I just ran my own race.  The course was made up of a series of very gentle rolling hills, which was great as it made things a little more interesting, and gave me a chance to open up a bit on the down hill sections.

After clocking the first few miles well inside goal pace I suddenly saw the 1:40 pacer in front of me and steaming down the hill.  What?!?!?!? I have to admit my belief in a sub 1:40 began to waiver a bit at that point. I pushed a bit to catch up to him, and realised he was running to 1:40 “on the clock”, which was a bit of a relief. Anyway, I ran with him for a bit longer, but then took off again on a down hill section.  

The next few miles felt great. (Unlike Berlin Marathon which was just one long struggle on dead legs). I crossed the 10km marker at a bit over 45mins, and was cruising all the way to mile 11.  I just continued running steady sub-1:40 type splits, and steaming down the downhill sections to keep the legs loose and make up some extra time. This worked well, and it felt great passing runner after runner.  

But miles 11 – 13 were quite the struggle. At that point the scenery was uninspiring (no spectators, just a long flat second of road). There was also a slight headwind, and a kind of “out and back” section where you saw all of the runners on their final mile coming the opposite way.  To top it off, when I finally got to the stadium (finish line was inside) I found myself running around it instead of into it. This seemed to go on forever. All in all I’d say these “psychological effects” sapped a fair bit of zing out of what should have been a fast final 2 miles.  

I never understood why running seemed so easy for everyone but me. For years I tried, but I always suffered asthma when I ran.  But I was in shape!   So a friend suggested I get a heart rate monitor, and Polar is the best brand and had one that would actually fit my tiny wrist for a good price.

The basic model got me started and in 6 weeks I completed a 5k without stopping!  2 years later I'm now training for a half and Nike's Hood to Coast.  I'm still wearing the same basic model, though, because the one I really want is a bit out of reach at the moment. :)

I have now gotten at least 5 friends to take up running too.  I tell each of them to get a HR Monitor (and good shoes) first thing and even bought a monitor for my sister so she could meet her goal of completing a race without having to walk. 

I couldn't have done any of it without Polar to help me listen to my body!

When spring comes I use my Polar HR monitor to manage my activity along with a bike computer. An integrated system to allow me to monitor my heart rate, ride time, distance all in one system would be a great help. I need  a system that moves easily from bike to trainer and helps me log my activity all year long.

I now bike 2500 miles a year and run a week-long bike ride from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park. I also conduct a training program with the Helena Bicycle Club called 10-Weeks To A Century that helps novice bike riders train for their first standard or metric century. I always recommend using a heart rate monitor to help novice riders track their progress toward their first big ride.

Rick

Happy running everyone...

Phil

I did a 7km run yesterday, polar monitor showed average HR was 160 max 184. Im 39 yrs old and max HR is suppose to be 181 and 85% as 153. Concern that i may causing more damage than good by running this way. I was breathing hard at the end of run but not ill or light headed.    

Michael

Phil

Before using polar HRM I was into heavy powerlifting and seeing how big I could get.  Things have changed dramatically for in the past few years.  It's more about overall health/wellness now.  I did my 2nd marathon this year.  I believe having the polar equipment makes a huge difference for my training.  When I don't have it I get board.  It's like having a personal trainer on your wrist.

 I use the FT80 for running, spinning classes, bootcamp classes, and lifting weights. 

My wife has one, my step son has one, and I'm getting one for my dad this year for his birthday. 

I read an ad for Polar in Running Times magazine, went online and researched the products and I ended up buying an RSD200 I have used this running computer for over a year and I am thrilled with it!  I credit a great deal of my successful completion of my first marathon to this training tool. I hate to run without it! 

With my RSD200 I track my heart rate, speed, and distance; and I store the results in an exercise file that allows me to spot trends and patterns... all on my wrist! 

I have never had to change the computer battery and only had to change the footpod battery and chest strap battery once. I wear my running computer every day and it is great.

I'm looking at my RSD200 right now, and it's reminding me that I have my next race event in 30 days. Go Polar!