OT: Fitness and Nutrition XII

[BehindTheTimes]

I have tried this kind of training before, and I just can't do it. My heart beats really fast when I'm active. If I run for say 30 minutes, it'll be around 170-180. Last long run I did, 22 kms, it was a solid 170 for 2 straight hours. For me to keep it under 138 would honestly just be fast walking. Even trying to keep it under 154 was just comically slow jogging... it was almost more difficult.

By the way, I have also been having chest pain/pressure going back to about a year. I was concerned too, went to the doctor, they did some tests and said I was fine. I was still uncomfortable even though it wasn't triggered or made worse by exercise, and kept trying to figure it out with doctors. Finally they figured it out - it is due to chronic inflammation of the chest wall - basically the cartilage around my sternum and ribs. In retrospect I probably should have figured that out, because it really does feel like someone is trying to rip my sternum out of my chest, and if I push on the area it feels almost like a bruise.

Strange bro. When I explained it to ppl I often described it as what felt like a bruise too. Maybe I have the same thing. Glad you were able to figure it out. Not knowing has been driving me nuts tbh. Mine felt completely normal until I had to cut a run short because of a pressure I never felt before. It felt like my chest was going to explode. Without activity I may have never noticed, but after that one event it was pretty much constant, but worse with activity.

With regards to training. I am exactly the same. It’s not uncommon for me to be 170bpm throughout my runs and keeping my heart rate this low is not very encouraging atm, but I’m going to stick with it for 3-5 months and see if it changes. I don’t feel comfortable doing intense training atm, but I can’t continue to do nothing.

 

[waffledave]

Strange bro. When I explained it to ppl I often described it as what felt like a bruise too. Maybe I have the same thing. Glad you were able to figure it out. Not knowing has been driving me nuts tbh. Mine felt completely normal until I had to cut a run short because of a pressure I never felt before. It felt like my chest was going to explode. Without activity I may have never noticed, but after that one event it was pretty much constant, but worse with activity.

With regards to training. I am exactly the same. It’s not uncommon for me to be 170bpm throughout my runs and keeping my heart rate this low is not very encouraging atm, but I’m going to stick with it for 3-5 months and see if it changes. I don’t feel comfortable doing intense training atm, but I can’t continue to do nothing.

The stress that it causes will make it worse. For me it was definitely caused by stress and anxiety. I have built up so much tension in my muscles due to a particularly stressful period at work. That is definitely what caused this inflammation, and in turn the stress of having the chest pains became like a vicious cycle. It was all I could think about at times.

I am still struggling with tension. In particular, my neck/traps. They are so tight, it feels like my shoulders are up around my ears. It's causing tension to move up to my head, giving me major eye strain (had to start wearing glasses). And I injure myself really easily during exercise because of it too. I hurt my shoulder/beck area while running a few weeks ago and it's still not 100%.

All this to say, health related stress is killer, I can definitely identify with that and it makes my symptoms way worse when I dwell on it. If you are still worried then bit the bullet and pay for a private cardiologist to get the peace of mind you need.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

The stress that it causes will make it worse. For me it was definitely caused by stress and anxiety. I have built up so much tension in my muscles due to a particularly stressful period at work. That is definitely what caused this inflammation, and in turn the stress of having the chest pains became like a vicious cycle. It was all I could think about at times.

I am still struggling with tension. In particular, my neck/traps. They are so tight, it feels like my shoulders are up around my ears. It's causing tension to move up to my head, giving me major eye strain (had to start wearing glasses). And I injure myself really easily during exercise because of it too. I hurt my shoulder/beck area while running a few weeks ago and it's still not 100%.

All this to say, health related stress is killer, I can definitely identify with that and it makes my symptoms way worse when I dwell on it. If you are still worried then bit the bullet and pay for a private cardiologist to get the peace of mind you need.

I’ve actually gone to a cardiologist and he’s done several tests, holter monitor, stress test, echo etc. I’ve had ER visits prior to that and everything came back normal. I finally said enough is enough and it’s time to move on. The cardiologist was very good and is the one that has motivated me to get back into training.

I’ve decided to go this slow and steady approach and tbh, I enjoy it. It’s 7 hours a week, but I don’t feel bad all day or exhausted by noon etc. it is slow moving for sure, but I am seeing incremental progress already. I started running a few years back with a friend of mine who was 50lbs overweight, at first he couldn’t keep up with me. I went away for the summer to military training where we did moderate/high intensity training 5 days a week and my friend stuck to zone 2 training and when I returned from military training this formerly obese man was out running me considerably. After 6 months I couldn’t keep up with him at all. I know this is just one person, but I see all sorts of claims to similar gains from others.

I think the problem for most is that it feels pointless in the beginning and they don’t see the results they want to see soon enough and life gets in the way etc and it makes more sense for them from a time management perspective to switch to something else. For me, I’ve got nothing but time. My work hours are flexible as long as the job is being done, I can work from home so I don’t have time travelling to and from work. My hope is that my body will adapt and I’ll be at 6min miles in 3-4 months while keeping my heart rate below my threshold. I’ll report my progress as a get a month into this, but yeah it’s a lot of brisk walking atm, but the jogging before walking periods have already increased in a short time. I’m prepared to stick with it. I’ve always gotten shin splints or Achilles injuries in the past and I don’t see that happening this time.

 

[waffledave]

I’ve actually gone to a cardiologist and he’s done several tests, holter monitor, stress test, echo etc. I’ve had ER visits prior to that and everything came back normal. I finally said enough is enough and it’s time to move on. The cardiologist was very good and is the one that has motivated me to get back into training.

I’ve decided to go this slow and steady approach and tbh, I enjoy it. It’s 7 hours a week, but I don’t feel bad all day or exhausted by noon etc. it is slow moving for sure, but I am seeing incremental progress already. I started running a few years back with a friend of mine who was 50lbs overweight, at first he couldn’t keep up with me. I went away for the summer to military training where we did moderate/high intensity training 5 days a week and my friend stuck to zone 2 training and when I returned from military training this formerly obese man was out running me considerably. After 6 months I couldn’t keep up with him at all. I know this is just one person, but I see all sorts of claims to similar gains from others.

I think the problem for most is that it feels pointless in the beginning and they don’t see the results they want to see soon enough and life gets in the way etc and it makes more sense for them from a time management perspective to switch to something else. For me, I’ve got nothing but time. My work hours are flexible as long as the job is being done, I can work from home so I don’t have time travelling to and from work. My hope is that my body will adapt and I’ll be at 6min miles in 3-4 months while keeping my heart rate below my threshold. I’ll report my progress as a get a month into this, but yeah it’s a lot of brisk walking atm, but the jogging before walking periods have already increased in a short time. I’m prepared to stick with it. I’ve always gotten shin splints or Achilles injuries in the past and I don’t see that happening this time.

Interesting... I know from others who have done this kind of training that the results are awesome. I too have a friend who did it this way and I can't keep up with him anymore. He is in the army but was not in great shape. Now he runs 20 km every day and his heart rate averages 135 on these runs. Just insane. And he's way faster than me, like 5 minutes/KM. I haven't been able to keep that pace on a half marathon in probably 5 years.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Interesting... I know from others who have done this kind of training that the results are awesome. I too have a friend who did it this way and I can't keep up with him anymore. He is in the army but was not in great shape. Now he runs 20 km every day and his heart rate averages 135 on these runs. Just insane. And he's way faster than me, like 5 minutes/KM. I haven't been able to keep that pace on a half marathon in probably 5 years.

According to him 7 hours a week was the magic number for him. Seems like a lot, but really, I spend that much time doing nothing each week. I did 1.5 hrs this morning and the walk/jog ratio is already improving rapidly. First time I done this it was majority brisk walking. I’ve only been at it over a week, but today it was majority jogging. Mind you, it’s very slow jogging. I’m hopeful by week 12 the entire time is spent jogging and then it will just be getting faster from months 3-6.

 

[waffledave]

According to him 7 hours a week was the magic number for him. Seems like a lot, but really, I spend that much time doing nothing each week. I did 1.5 hrs this morning and the walk/jog ratio is already improving rapidly. First time I done this it was majority brisk walking. I’ve only been at it over a week, but today it was majority jogging. Mind you, it’s very slow jogging. I’m hopeful by week 12 the entire time is spent jogging and then it will just be getting faster from months 3-6.

I might give it a try and see how it goes too. Would love to get my HR down while running.

 

[ClasslessGuy]

aka zone 3 training, well proven to work for endurance training / ultra running

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I might give it a try and see how it goes too. Would love to get my HR down while running

I might give it a try and see how it goes too. Would love to get my HR down while running.

If you do keep us posted on how you make out. Today I think I could have gone for 3-4 hours, and the progress had me tempted to speed up today, but I rejected the urge and stuck to it.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Did another 1.5 hours this morning. Aimed for 7 hours and got 7.5. Went out to pub with family last night and had a few beers, but surprisingly felt decent this morning other than tiredness. I think running might help me avoid bad hangovers, I’m not sure. Anyways, finished the run pretty well. Was faster again today.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Did 12km Monday, took Tuesday off. My pace on the 12km run was down 26secs from my previous 8km pace. Doing 10-12km tonight depending on how I feel. Weather is beautiful and this shit keeps feeling better and better. Also into the 180’s.

 

[FrankMTL]

Good to hear everybody's progress! Motivation is the key! This is not a 6 month journey, it's a lifetime commitment to looking and more importantly feeling better. Keep it going!!

On my end, I'm still addicted to HIIT. I love that shit lol. I like to challenge myself constantly. Plus, I'm single and on the market so obviously that's motivation as well.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Only did 8km tonight. Legs felt a little heavy, but another 26 seconds per km faster than last time at 138bpm. Amazing, I think this actually works like a charm. Still very slow, but the progress in 10 days is very promising.

Anyone else get a weird stitch from time to time on either the right or left side that feels like it’s radiating through their ribs? I’ve been getting this more and more frequent, happened once in awhile before, but since I started running seems more often. I have a feeling it’s the way I sit at my desk all day. Think I might invest in a good chair, no idea if that’s the reason, but a good chair can’t hurt. I should have one anyway.

 

[angusyoung]

Landing in the area but driving north to workout in altitude

I see,so Flagstaff area then? watch out for the bears and mountain lions then,might even spot a panther too.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Crazy to read folks on here having heart palpitation issues, I’ve heard of many people suddenly developing this over the last year or so. Think it absolutely has to be related to the anxiety and stress the pandemic and lockdowns have put on everyone. Either that or….

I have a family member and a coworker who are both dealing with something similar. I forget the letter combo but it’s called PCDs or something like that

 

[Cournoyer12]

Glad to see that a lot of you folks like to train. I have been powerlifting and Olympic style lifting since I was 12. Am 62 now and still enjoy it! I know, I’m a dinosaur but it helps flush out any garbage that might prey on my mind, and keeps me in reasonable shape. Keep at it kids!

 

[Doc5]

Crazy to read folks on here having heart palpitation issues, I’ve heard of many people suddenly developing this over the last year or so. Think it absolutely has to be related to the anxiety and stress the pandemic and lockdowns have put on everyone. Either that or….

I have a family member and a coworker who are both dealing with something similar. I forget the letter combo but it’s called PCDs or something like that

Maybe you mean PVCs?

I've heard of the vaccines transiently raising baseline heart rates as well

 

[waffledave]

Crazy enough I also developed PVCs last year for a short period of time, about a month or so. It happened during a highly stressful period.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Maybe you mean PVCs?

I've heard of the vaccines transiently raising baseline heart rates as well

Yes, PVCs! Couldn’t remember the exact letters. Pretty scary even if it is “benign”. It doesn’t get a lot of attention since it isn’t deadly, but it is negatively impacting peoples lives in a big way. My coworker has to give up coffee, alcohol, can’t exercise… crazy stuff. I personally couldn’t imagine no coffee, alcohol or exercise. Those are like my 3 favorite things lol

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Crazy enough I also developed PVCs last year for a short period of time, about a month or so. It happened during a highly stressful period.

Ya it seems everyone I know who has had to deal with them were also dealing with crazy stress as well.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Yes, PVCs! Couldn’t remember the exact letters. Pretty scary even if it is “benign”. It doesn’t get a lot of attention since it isn’t deadly, but it is negatively impacting peoples lives in a big way. My coworker has to give up coffee, alcohol, can’t exercise… crazy stuff. I personally couldn’t imagine no coffee, alcohol or exercise. Those are like my 3 favorite things lol

I was in the same boat for 8 months. I’ve finally said screw it starting running anyway. I still feel chest pressure/tightness/palpitations but I guess I’ve learned to deal with it. I’d rather know wtf is happening, but no one seems to know.

I do not believe it has anything to do with stress for me. Seems to be the default answer when no one knows what’s going on.

 

[waffledave]

Yes, PVCs! Couldn’t remember the exact letters. Pretty scary even if it is “benign”. It doesn’t get a lot of attention since it isn’t deadly, but it is negatively impacting peoples lives in a big way. My coworker has to give up coffee, alcohol, can’t exercise… crazy stuff. I personally couldn’t imagine no coffee, alcohol or exercise. Those are like my 3 favorite things lol

I did cut out coffee when this was happening to me as well. But for me stress + coffee makes me want to barf, so I dunno if it was related. It lasted about a month or so for me. I actually had a 48 hour holter test done after and they didn't detect it anymore.

I 100% do correlate it with high periods of stress. It had stopped happening for a long time and it started up again right around when the war in Ukraine started (several guys on my team live in Kiyv), for approx a week or so.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I did cut out coffee when this was happening to me as well. But for me stress + coffee makes me want to barf, so I dunno if it was related. It lasted about a month or so for me. I actually had a 48 hour holter test done after and they didn't detect it anymore.

I 100% do correlate it with high periods of stress. It had stopped happening for a long time and it started up again right around when the war in Ukraine started (several guys on my team live in Kiyv), for approx a week or so.

I wore a holter monitor too. Wasn’t too fun pulling it off when it was all done.

 

[waffledave]

I wore a holter monitor too. Wasn’t too fun pulling it off when it was all done.

for me it was tougher getting it on. They dry shaved me pretty much by surprise.

BTW I have been doing more and more research into zone 2-zone 3 training and I think I am going to try this out for the next few months. I went for a run the other day, nothing crazy, just a 30 minute jog. The last 5-6 mins my HR was over 180. I know it's high but I can maintain this for a long time, I am not winded, nothing. But honestly, next day I felt like shit, really tired and my knees were sore. I thought back to how this is always how I feel the day after a run, knees and feet just killing me and popping advils just to go up and down the stairs or go to the gym. It's not worth it.

So now I am trying to keep my HR between 150 and 160. I'll go out for 30 minutes, and run/walk and adjust my pace as needed to keep it within this threshold. Definitely a bit frustrating but at the end, I still felt good about it. And I was totally fine the next day, no soreness or pain, not tired. I was able to work out. I think this is the way to go at least for now.

Ideally I should technically be saying between the 140-150 range, and I think I will target that next time. I never put much thought into heart rate zone training before, namely because every run I do I am technically in zone 5 100% of the time. So I just assumed it's not for me. But I'm going to give it a shot.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

for me it was tougher getting it on. They dry shaved me pretty much by surprise.

BTW I have been doing more and more research into zone 2-zone 3 training and I think I am going to try this out for the next few months. I went for a run the other day, nothing crazy, just a 30 minute jog. The last 5-6 mins my HR was over 180. I know it's high but I can maintain this for a long time, I am not winded, nothing. But honestly, next day I felt like shit, really tired and my knees were sore. I thought back to how this is always how I feel the day after a run, knees and feet just killing me and popping advils just to go up and down the stairs or go to the gym. It's not worth it.

So now I am trying to keep my HR between 150 and 160. I'll go out for 30 minutes, and run/walk and adjust my pace as needed to keep it within this threshold. Definitely a bit frustrating but at the end, I still felt good about it. And I was totally fine the next day, no soreness or pain, not tired. I was able to work out. I think this is the way to go at least for now.

Ideally I should technically be saying between the 140-150 range, and I think I will target that next time. I never put much thought into heart rate zone training before, namely because every run I do I am technically in zone 5 100% of the time. So I just assumed it's not for me. But I'm going to give it a shot.

I am exactly the same. If I run my normal pace I hover around 170, but I feel drained the next day. Eventually I overcome that drained feeling as I get in better shape, but knees, shins etc are sore and then I end up skipping sessions, next thing you know, 2 days off leads to a week off etc. I am staying below 140, 138 is my target and yes it’s slow, but the improvement over 10 days has been pretty incredible imo.

It benefits my routine too, if life gets in the way and I have to do 2-3 days in a row because I know I can’t get out on a Thursday then I’ve got plenty in the tank to do that. I’m doing 7 hours per week, I realize some ppl can’t put that much time in, but for me I don’t have a problem. I think by the end of 8 weeks I’ll be doing the full 8km no walking and if it continues like it has my pace will improve naturally. All the years running and getting injured etc if I had have done this from the beginning I have no doubts I’d be further ahead. Keep me posted, curious if you see the same improvements.

 

[waffledave]

I am exactly the same. If I run my normal pace I hover around 170, but I feel drained the next day. Eventually I overcome that drained feeling as I get in better shape, but knees, shins etc are sore and then I end up skipping sessions, next thing you know, 2 days off leads to a week off etc. I am staying below 140, 138 is my target and yes it’s slow, but the improvement over 10 days has been pretty incredible imo.

It benefits my routine too, if life gets in the way and I have to do 2-3 days in a row because I know I can’t get out on a Thursday then I’ve got plenty in the tank to do that. I’m doing 7 hours per week, I realize some ppl can’t put that much time in, but for me I don’t have a problem. I think by the end of 8 weeks I’ll be doing the full 8km no walking and if it continues like it has my pace will improve naturally. All the years running and getting injured etc if I had have done this from the beginning I have no doubts I’d be further ahead. Keep me posted, curious if you see the same improvements.

Man it's crazy, I feel like I had this exact same realization. I feel like I have been going about it all wrong when it comes to running.