Courtesy: dymtrok on Flickr
If you’re getting ready to run in a marathon, you definitely want a heart rate monitor.
Heart rate monitors are excellent tools to have for any runner, even if you’re only training for a 5K, 10K, or half marathon. Any runner who is serious about their training and who wants to make good performance gains will receive benefits from having a heart rate monitor on throughout their run.
Let’s take a look at how using a heart rate monitor regularly will help you achieve your marathon training goals.
Your Heart Rate Monitor Ensures Differentiation Of Workout Sessions
The very first reason why a heart rate monitor will be a great idea for the marathon trainer is because it’s going to make sure that each workout session you do is following the correct training design.
When training for a marathon you aren’t just going to be doing straight out runs. Instead, you’ll be doing a variety of different types of sessions and each are aimed at accomplishing a certain goal.
For instance, in your long, slow distance run, you want to keep your heart rate at a lower level so that you can sustain the pace for well over an hour. On your interval training runs (or repeats as they’re often called), you’ll be pushing your heart rate up closer to max and then backing off to let recovery take place before doing the repeat again. On your tempo runs, where you’re aiming to run at a pace, you’ll want to reach and maintain your lactic acid threshold.
If you don’t have a heart rate monitor on you while completing these runs, it can be more difficult to know if you’re doing them 100% correctly.
A heart rate monitor acts as your guarantee that you are, in fact, following your training plan.
Your Heart Rate Monitor Helps To Monitor Improvements In Your Fitness Level
The second big reason why a heart rate monitor is a must for marathon training athletes is because it’s also a great way to monitor improvements in your fitness level.
There’s no question that your cardiovascular system will improve when using a heart rate monitor. By noting what your heart rate is at given a certain pace, you can watch these improvements take place.
For example, if you used to sustain a heart rate of 110 beats per minute while doing an 8 minute mile but three weeks later are sustaining a heart rate of 102 beats per minute while doing an 8 minute mile, you know that your fitness is improving. If your fitness level is not improving during your training, you need to reevaluate your training program.
Your Heart Rate Monitor Can Track Distance Traveled
Another big plus to using a heart rate monitor if you’re a marathon training athlete is because many of them will also track distance as well.
Most athletes training outdoors because it’s a great way to prevent boredom due to the changing scenery and to simulate the actual race condition. In this case, a heart rate monitor with GSP features brings countless advantages. However, it’s not the only choice. A heart rate monitor with a wireless foot pod is also a good choice without the bulk of a GPS watch.
Courtesy: zhurlray on Flickr
If you regularly are trying out new paths and trails, it can be a nuisance to have to drive this distance out each time so using a heart rate monitor will solve this issue instantly. A heart rate monitor with GPS or a foot pod will allow you to run with freedom. One of our favorites is the Garmin Forerunner 210. Another good one is the Polar RS300X.
Your Heart Rate Monitor Allows You To Assess Recovery
Finally, a heart rate monitor will come in helpful is because it also allows you to assess your recovery ability as well.
Your recovery can be judged quite well based on how fast your heart rate returns back down to baseline after a hard training run, so by using a heart rate monitor you can quickly assess your recovery time.
If you see your heart rate go from 110 during training down to your normal resting rate of 65 beats per minute in just two or three minutes, then this indicates superior recovery abilities. Your recovery time is another indication of progress in your training program.
To top it off, a heart rate monitor will also help you during the race. It helps you maintain your pace, keeps your time, and pushes your during the race. Race day can be pretty exciting. Your heart rate monitor is the first line of defense against going out too fast or getting too involved watching the crowd go by. You need to be running the race at the pace you’ve planned and your heart rate is a great way to measure your activity level.
If you’re someone who is getting set for a marathon or a triathlon event, definitely consider investing in a heart rate monitor. It will help you achieve the success your desire.
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