Racing heart...is this just a stamina thing?

[Starfish]

There are many more knowledgeable folks on this forum than me, and of course, it's hard not to recommend a complete physical, etc.

But, I know that a couple/few years ago when I started riding, I got so that I could ride the flatter stuff, and also do 3-4 hour work shifts doing physical labor, and yet, there were hills I really thought I would never be able to ride up without my HR going to maximum.

I used to laugh when I would read about doing muscle tension workouts on hills to strengthen my legs...they recommended low cadence and low heart rate...just muscular workouts. I would already be at 50 rpm, peddling uphill slowly, and my HR would STILL be totally maxed out.

But, this past weekend, I rode a section of road that used to do that to me, and this weekend, not only did I ride that 5 mile hill happily, with a decent HR, but I kept on going and did another 14 miles of the same climbing...all with a HR no more than about 85% of maximum, and sometimes lower.

Sorry this got long...hope it gives you some hope, if not hard information.

[RolliePollie]

OK, I already feel better knowing that other people have hearts like mine

Kelownagirl - yes, I am very new to cycling and prior to that, my main activity was walking about 3-5 miles 5 days a week. I tried running but I also have mild exercise induced asthma and between that and shin splints, running just does not agree with me. Unless it's very cold out, cycling doesn't seem to bring on the asthma (thank heavens).

Starfish - if you can ride up to Hurricane Ridge after just a few years of cycling, then I have hope!

And Zencentury - thanks for that tip! I do not want to pass out. Especially in traffic!!!

So I guess what I need to do is just ride more hills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Starfish]

Starfish - if you can ride up to Hurricane Ridge after just a few years of cycling, then I have hope!

Five years ago, it was a total victory when I made it a whole 10 miles on a pancake flat, paved bicycle path.

Two years ago, it was a victory when I road as far as the park entry gate up the Ridge Road.

This year, I hope to make it up to the Ridge twice in one day to train for a ride I'm doing later in August.

My progression hasn't been very fast...I tend to get fat and out of shape every winter, and it has been a time of stressful transition in my personal life, for a few years, actually. But, if you keep reading TE, and even search some older threads on the topic, you'll find incredible stories of before/after cyclists that are inspiring!

Be patient with yourself, and seek out good advice from the more knowledgeable folks on TE, from books, etc. You will surprise yourself with your progress. You can do it!

[RolliePollie]

Be patient with yourself, and seek out good advice from the more knowledgeable folks on TE, from books, etc. You will surprise yourself with your progress. You can do it!

Thanks for the encouragement! It's hard to be patient! I guess I should look at cycling kind of like when I was a kid taking piano lessons. It took years to get better. You can't just sit down at a piano and learn it all in one day. I think these types of long-term learning situations are easier when you're a kid though!

My heart must be treating this as a long-term learning process as well. Evidently you can't expect your heart to suddenly be ready for aerobic activity if you really haven't been doing any! I guess another way to look at it would be I'm very glad my heart is working so hard as opposed to just stopping!

[kelownagirl]

Starfish - that's me exactly.

[BikeMomma]

Sara -

Have you had a stress test done on your heart yet? Perhaps you should rule out any medical reasons for the racing heart before you push yourself any further. Better safe than sorry, right?

I recently had some chest tightness with some pain, went to the heart doc and had a stress test done. He found nothing seriously wrong with my heart (called me the "champion of the treadmill"), so I thought perhaps the tightness was due to do bad air and my athlete's asthma, etc. A visit to the lung doc confirmed what I suspected, but I wasn't taking any chances, so I had it all checked out. Heart conditions are nothing to take lightly.

As far as the fitness, each one of us had to start at the bottom to get where we are now. We've all been out of shape at one point or another. So we definitely understand how hard it is to be patient with your training. You'll get there.

Take care,
~BikeMomma