Heart Rate Based Training

If you are concerned with your stamina when running and would like to enhance it further, I suggest that you use a gadget which monitors your heart rate during running.  It doesn't necessarily mean that you go for an expensive gadget like a watch with GPS and built in heart rate monitoring feature which costs roughly around Php 21,000.00 ~ $490.00.  For me, that's already a lot of money.  I would settle using that amount of money on investing rather than purchasing a watch of that amount. Just purchase the simple one.  The one which can give you the same result at a much cheaper price.  Be wise when spending your hard earned money.  (That's a saving & investing tip from me, free of charge... hahaha!!! )


Ok I'm not here to promote something but two months ago, I bought a watch with a Digital Heart Rate Monitor which only costs around Php 6,000.00 ~ $140.00.  See the difference in terms of cost? A whopping Php 15,000.00 ~ $350.00 difference.  Like the significantly expensive watch, it can also give you the same running data that you need.  Average heart rate, max/min HR, peak HR calories burned, running time, recovery heart rate and others.  I still have to explore on the other features. :-)

I would like to share photos of the actual unit.  Ok, I purchased a Timex watch.  Again, I don't intend to promote a product, I just shared it to those who are interested on what to use if they intend to enhance their stamina further.

Timex  Watch

Digital Heart Rate Monitor

Manual

With this gadget, its like that you have hired a personal trainer and it offers you the ability to track, store and analyze important key indicators of your personal fitness level.

Indicate your desired maximum heart rate and it will automatically designate the heart rate per zone.  The recommended maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age.  Based from what I've read in the internet. 

The gadget features five (5) heart rate zones where you can set your current physical capability.  I use Zone 3 to improve my stamina and endurance.  Then I switch to Zone 4 every now and then to sustain optimum fitness condition.  Zone 5 is usually used during an actual race.  I still don't have this gadget when I joined my first 5Km race last July 2011 but have been using this as I run 2 to 3 times a week.  Before I used to run for 30 minutes only because I still have no idea how long I can run.  But thanks to this gadget, I can now run for more than 40 minutes.  I already crossed the 6Km barrier and I am now slowly targeting 10Km for my training.

For actual races, I would still settle for 5Km.  I still need to beat my personal record of 32 minutes for this category.  Nothing is impossible if we work and strive hard to achieve our goals.  Always think positively. :-)