Is XX% always the same heart rate?

[Ken Milam]

Hi, I'm using the 36 week plan for IMMOO '09, I am curious about the use of a single max rate for the determination of target training heart rates independent of the discipline. I have previous read that aerobic/lactate threshold levels for each discipline is likely different (due to various muscular and aerobic efficiencies that one individual might have in one sport but not the other), and therefore, targeted training zones should also be different. What do you think? Is, say, 75% always the same heart rate regardless of the discipline?? Thanks, Ken Milam, Newnan, GA

[John S.]

I have quite different max heart rates for each discipline - determined by reviewing my heart rate data over the past year during high intensity shorter running races 10k along with a few VO2max bike tests. I'm quite confident that my run max HR is 178, my bike tests come back consistently with 163 as a max HR, and my different training zones determined by these numbers really "feel" right, as well. I'm 41, so the run max HR actually lines up somewhat w/the age-figured estimates, and my bike max HR is within that 10-15% difference that is not uncommon between the two disciplines. I don't heart rate train w/the swim, rather I use paces/times for my zones based on perceived effort and PRs. Hope this helps! BTW - I'm doing IMWI '09 and also using the 36 week plan.

[Mike Llerandi]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the question - see the note at the bottom of page 9 of our manual, available free online:
http://opentri-training.com/supercoach.pdf

Thanks,
Mike