Ok, so last year when I was training, everything I did was determined by pace/500m as outlined in the interactive plan. This time I am training by HR – and it is very frustrating. Does it work? Science says so, the professionals say so and the scientists who write all the training ‘gumpf’ say so.
So why does it feel wrong?
The problem is that every time I do a piece, because it is governed by H/R I have to compromise the pace (I am still covering the screen and at the end of the session reveal it to either to be delighted with my small progress, be it 2 seconds per/500m or 0.1 seconds per/500m. Or shout at the machine and myself and then walk off in a huff because of the pathetic number that has just been revealed!). By compromising the pace and staying in the ‘correct training zone’ means I really don’t know how I compare to when I trained last year. Last year I didn’t wear a H/R monitor and like I said training was dictated by split per/500m regardless and I am sure that my H/R was pretty damn high all the time.
So what am I getting at?
Well it almost feels like a step into the unknown and is frustrating not knowing if it is paying off. My only comparison is looking at the last few week’s sessions. I am getting faster because the splits are lowering and the HR capped remains the same but I am a very impatient person sometimes and in the middle of a set I say to myself ‘right the next set I am going to squeeze it on and forget the H/R,’ this is because I hate seeing poor numbers on the screen when it is revealed knowing full well I could just step on the gas more. I dont though and i plod along remaining strict and watching my H/R like a hawk.
Well for now I will keep plugging away – I know I am my own worst enemy when it comes to things like this and I need to be patient. I find it difficult to feel progress and the benefit of a session unless I am rolling around on the floor withering in pain after!
The next few weeks will allow me to get a better idea of how things are going as I start to use higher rating sessions and move into AT but still with a strict H/R cap. Incidentally all my HR zones are from using the H/R reserve method. I will be able to get into the lab next year in February/March sometime but that will be too late for this training period if the numbers are way off.
End of next week I plan on doing a 4 min test.
Anyway another week is ticked off and here is how it panned out.
Mon am – Weights
Mon pm – 15k (3 x 5k) @ 18 with 90 secs rest H/R capped 147 (1.57/1.58/1.58)
Tue am – 15k (3 x 5k) @ 18 with 90 secs rest H/R capped 147 (1.55/1.57/1.58)
Wed am – 5k rate capped @ 24 (plodded along and finished 1.46/500m – just fancied a session that would build a sweat and rate higher than 18 spm) Was ok H/R average was in AT zone.
Fri am – 18k (3 x 6k) @ 18 with 90 secs rest H/R capped 147 (1.57/1.59/2.01)
Fri pm – Weights (finally worked to form failure) High pulls 80kg for 3/Leg press 200kg for 15/Pull ups body weight for 10/Bench press 80kg for 10/Bent over rows 80kg for 15/DB Shoulder press 20kg for 15. 3-4 working sets on each.
Sun – 3 x 12’ UT1 H/R capped 160 with 3.30 rests. (1.49/1.52/1.52)
