Pulse rate too high?
 

First off a little history....
After college I put on a lot of weight, I went from 180lbs to 245lbs over 2 years. Finally got tired of looking and feeling that way. So I started exercising again. At first I couldn't run a mile, but over time I got better. And since this time last year I went from 245 back down to 180lbs. And I run 30 minutes a few times a week, which is a little over 3 miles each.

Lately I have been interested in monitoring my heart rate. Tonight I took my pulse immediately after running and it was beating so fast I couldn't keep up. I estimate it was between 60-70 over 15 seconds. So my BPM was over 240! As far as I know this is really high, as my target heart rate is around 180. And I was curious if I need to do anything different, and if so, what?

Keep at it and your body will eventually become used to it.

Kind of like how squatting 3 plates really sucked the first time you could do it. But after a while it wasn't so bad.

heya... i think you should try a heart rate monitor, i think you must be counting your HR wrong. your profile says you were born in 1980, you're turning 26 in november, right? theoretically, you're max heart rate is 220 - age = 195 bpm (for a 25 year old). for you to have a heart rate as high as 240, well, that would signifiy a heart problem. at that speed, you're heart would not be able to pump blood efficiently (it would be beating so fast it wouldn't have time to refill between beats).

also, your target heart rate should not be at 180. that would be 92% of your theoretical maxHR. unless you were a competitive athlete, you would never try to get your HR that high. 85% maybe, from time to time, but not as a daily workout.

so first off, i'd definatly recommend getting a HR monitor. it will make monitoring your HR much easier (get teh kind with a strap, not the type that let you hold yoru finger and thumb to it to read your pulse), you can get the simple ones for as little as $50. www.fwonline.com is a good store. if you're willing to spend the money, get the polar monitor that comes with the chest strap that allows you to replace the battery. it'll save you money in the long run.

also, depending on your fitnses level, you'll probalby want to exercise at between 65-75% of your heart rate reserve. and maybe even higher intermittently. you can figure out your HRR by taking your theoretical max (unless you do an exercise stress test which can tell you your real HRmax), anyways, the equation is...

maxHR - restingHR = reserveHR.
multiply reserve HR by the upper limit % (likely 75%)
multiply reserve HR by lower limit % (likely 65%)

Add the reserveHR to both limitHR's and you'll have the range you should be working in. but choose percents based on your fitness level. the more fit, the higher they can be.

Second on that monitor (Harry and I agree on something?). Although Harry probably feels shoes are the numbr one tool, I personally think a monitor is as it provides the one standard of measurement just for you. And quantitative measurement is the only sure way to know anything or to make comparisons.

Polar sells models that allow you to put in your age, weight, height, etc., and also do a "fitness test" that measures your resting heart rate over a few minutes, giving you a fitness level number.

The point of all this is twofold: first, you have a better understanding of where you are from a fitness standpoint based on your stats. Second, it allows you to go through another test that helps you identify your personal heart zones. It's not nearly as good as an O2 test or perceived exertion (if you know what you're doing) but it does give you a reference of sorts until you can get things figured out.

Manually measuring your heart rate can be troublesome, especially when you measure when you are at/near your peak and tired. YOu've been running for a year or more and have dropped significant weight, which means you're well on your way to better health. That said, if you get a monitor and are still really high - get to a Dr.!! Better yet, why don't you just go see one now? It sure can't hurt and you'll feel better knowing either way!

Yea maybe I did lose count. I know on average it's between 180-200 when I finish, usually between 45-50 in 15 seconds. That 240 was probably a fluke or an error.
My bio is 25 years old. 26 in November. I am 5'11" 180 lbs. I am in pretty good shape, I move furniture for a living. I don't smoke or anything. And I never feel bad when I run, sure I am sweaty and tired and hot from the run, but I don't get sick or anything.

maybe if you were at the peak of your run.....I hit 225 bpm when sprinting out the end of a 15 min run.......but as soon as I stop running it drops to 115 in about 30 seconds....and I'm pretty young and in good shape

this sounds close to what I'm experiencing, i know mine drops to 140 or so a minute or 2 afterwards

the longer you count taking a 'manual' heart rate, the more accurate it will be....perhaps try counting it for 30 secs next time (if you decide not to get a HRM).......heart monitors are great for training though, you can accurately zone in your target zone, where your excercise will be at its full potential....plus it'll warn you if you get too high, which just causes fatigue and no real gains....

The amount you drop in one and two minutes is a great indicator of your fitness level. 30 bpm in one minute is very good. Now 220 to 115 sounds like more than a minute - probably at least two minutes - unless perhaps you're Lance. Even then...

Get that monitor!!!!