How Fast Should I Run Without Putting My Heart in Danger?

I'm a beginner runner. How do I know (based on my heart rate) if I'm over doing
it and possibly putting my 47 year old heart in danger?

Also, are these heart rate monitor watches really accurate?

Thank You

Ed

Answer by Dom:
Hi Ed,
Thanks for your running question.

First of all, yes, generally heart rate monitors are very accurate. One thing I have found is that the ones that use a heart rate strap are more accurate than the ones that don't.

Your best gauge, if you don't have a heart rate monitor yet, is to go "by feel". Stick to a running pace that feels easy and still allows you to have a conversation if you were to run with somebody else. That pace is considered to be very safe (provided there are no complicating factors).

Talking in heart rate monitor language, that's Zone 1 and Zone 2 type running (long, slow running and easy running).

To know how fast to run based on your heart rate, you will need to know your max heart rate while running. Not knowing how fit you are, but knowing you are over forty, I would advise you to get your max heart rate measured by a professional unless you have a high degree of fitness and are comfortable with very strenuous workouts.

When you know your maximum heart rate you can go to one of my heart rate monitor training pages to work out what your heart rate monitor training zones are.

Check out some further information in the heart rate monitor training section and you should be good to go!



Hope this helps.
Enjoy your running!
Kind regards,
Dominique