Probably a simple training question (famous last words) but quite often in my tempo and Z2 workouts my HR gets up to over 160bpm which at 42 years old is getting up towards the max HR.
Now for the simple bit: is the workout wrong, is my FTP too high so Im in a different zone than expected, or is the extra 20bpm the actual range between tempo and vo2?
For variables I’m on auto FTP (202) and letting TR adjust plans as it wants. Today was yellow.
Do you know what your max HR is, or are you just basing it off 220-age?
Based off calculator of what my 1040 auto detector said my max was 188.
Although I guess that might not see as high as when indoors on the turbo.
There are a number of reason that this might be happening outside of the typical idea that eventually fatigue will cause decoupling.
At this time of year you really have to look at the cooling, subtle and not so subtle differences in the air temperature outside really can have you in a heat acclimation session without realizing it.
Could be cooling
I always thought that my LT1 HR upward drift up to 155 was normal cardiac drift. This was indoors with window open and small fan. But getting better indoor fans (two wall-mounted in front of bike) it is now steady at 130-140 for two hours. Key is to get good airflow over the body. For reference, I’m 57, max cycling HR 185
After how long into it does your HR get up 160+ in a “Z2” workout?
Have you considered trying some HR capped workouts? Or “Maffetone” workouts?
Something along the lines of 85% of FTP, but capped at 156 HR (83% of 188 for you). The TR workouts to consider would include the Round Bald series
More about it in this thread
It’s very tough for me to hit my actual max HR. I only hit mine in competitive situations with repeated absolute max efforts. On solo rides and trainer rides, I don’t get near it no matter how hard I go.
I have recently also higher than usual HR for moderate intensity workouts but I know the reason: over winter lowered typical volume 16h/w → ~5h/w with almost all workouts in Z5-Z7 zones. Couple weeks ago started again high volume / low intensity plan but HR is still higher than usual, even if efforts feel easy. I guess it takes time to get back from punchy → durable state 