Fitness Tip

Are You Redlining?
Use a heart rate monitor

How can a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) help curb overtraining? Evidence as to whether you are overtraining can be provided by the use of an HRM. Try performing a 5-minute warm-up by biking or running. Increase your speed until you reach your normal “training” workload. While keeping one eye on your HRM., one of four things will happen:

  1. Higher than normal heart rate and legs feel heavy and tired.
  2. Normal heart rate and legs feel heavy and tired.
  3. Higher than normal heart rate and legs feel strong.
  4. Normal heart rate and legs feel strong.

    In the first circumstance, your recovery from previous training isn't close to what it should be. You may want to consider taking the day off. You may be digging yourself a deeper hole by pushing forward. In the second and third circumstances, your recovery is incomplete, but not to the extent of the first scenario. I would recommend continuing to train, while keeping your training duration and intensity moderate. If you find yourself in the fourth scenario, continue because you’re right on track for a great ski season!

     

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