LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

noodle · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 108 Location: Ladbroke Grove

I like the zopne thing. Never used heart rate monitor (will look at getting one) but you can feel it in yourself??

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4108

I think the whole zone thing is perhaps overly detailed. HR changes so much based on so many factors, that they are only worth rough guidelines.

Bill Begg doesn't depend on heart rates at all when he is coaching, and instead uses ratio of perceived exertion.

skaterliesel · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 104 Location: Berlin

Mike's right, loads of low intensity training makes you faster in the end, if you have the hard stuff (interval sessions) and the rest periods, too.

You also have to differentiate between one sport and the other : your aerobic threshhold and maximum pulse may differ !!

In skating, I'm a complete "wimp" .... my aerobic threshhold is pretty exact at 165-167bpm (and I can skate 'forever' within that range), my race average pulse is at 188 for no matter which distance, and my (witnessed) max pulse is at 194bpm.
In contrary, I almost fall off a bike after 40 minutes, if my pulse goes as much as above 140 bpm for that period of time. And running is completely unpredictable : one day 160 bpm feel great, and another I almost die at 145 bpm.

@Nina
Before the marathon, try to stack up some carbs. If you are not into pasta, don't go for the "pasta-party" but take risotto - all you can eat the night before the race. High carb breakfast again, and as the marathon is in the afternoon, only light lunch. Water is o.k. during the race. I personally do not like lucozade & co. so I always mix the water with the small amount of apple juice. If you opt for that, try out the right dilution at your street skates.
During the race, some powerbars always come in handy ... the problem is timing as they take about 15 minutes to get into your blood. Gels are faster, but taste horrible. If you are skating around 1:30h or faster at a marathon, you should be able to skate it without having to 'refuel' during the race. I always take the bars along 'just in case'.

P.S.
The only public humiliation you could face at Berlin, is "not-finishing-for-no-adequate-reason" Shocked

and "not-enjoying-it-although-there-will-be-about-500.000-people-to-cheer-you-on " Embarassed

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

noodle · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 108 Location: Ladbroke Grove

Thanks for the feedback! I am going to see if I can buy a heart rate monitor off internet now...

andyman · Joined: 05 Apr 2006 Posts: 1945 Location: Suffolk

Decathlon have a fairly decent one on offer (was £45) for £19.95

It seems fine for basic functions, HRM and Stopwatch etc. Also allows saving of sets of data for laps etc although you cant upload to PC (which would be nice) Also can be programmed with you personal 'Zones' and can give warnings etc when differing levels are reached/breached

I have been using mine with no probs at all