Shhhhhh...Don't Tell Hashi

Yes, it's true. I've become one of those folks who wears a heart rate monitor while exercising. I never thought I would be...but the anemia related heart flutterings and shortness of breath were the final push to pick one up.

I'm sticking as true to my anti-HRM stance as possible, though, by refusing to pay kaboodles of bucks for all the bells and whistles found on many of the newer, flashier, high-tech models. I'm just using the low end Polar monitor. It has a stopwatch, tells me my heart rate and stores one workout. I can set a high and low zone and it can beep (or not) when I get higher or lower than what I want for a specific workout. And that's about it.

It's pretty easy for me to keep in the low and easy zones on the bike. Did a 4.5 hour downtown ride on Sunday and never had any problems keeping it on track. The running is another issue. I'm going to spend some time treadmill running so I can get some ideas of what I need to to do to keep that on target. Haven't tried it in the pool yet. That will be a real adventure.

I also promise not to become one of those annoying HRM proponents. You know the ones that put it on for a walk around the block with their dog and then proceed to detail each heartbeat to anyone and everyone regardless of interest or lack thereof.

I'll let you know if I get the running rate sorted. I plan to do base work on the runs too (long, low speed, low heart rate). So I hope I get it sorted out soon.