I Used to Run
Until recently, I ran 20-25 miles a week. That was until I had lower back surgery last year (the permanent charlie horse in my leg was what convinced me to go through with that!). I thought for sure my 5K and marathon days would be back, just around the corner, until I skied moguls last winter and re-injured my back.
When I bumped into the neurosurgeon that worked me over the other day, he said, “Avoid high impact stuff. You should ski. Just avoid the moguls. But you probably shouldn’t go on long runs anymore though.”
:(
I wanted to ask him how I was going to find that quiet, happy place I could get to so easily while running. But he’s a neurosurgeon, not a therapist, so I kept that question to myself.
So, rather than hang up my Saucony’s and Asics, I decided to get inventive. I’ve known for a long time that Jyze gets my heart rate up. I’ve walked extensively with Jyze, but I found myself craving the higher aerobic zones, closer to 85% of my max heart rate, at least some of the time. While your body doesn’t burn as much fat up there, your heart muscle gets an important workout that keeps it strong, lowers cholesterol, and other good things, or so I’m told.
The Low-Impact, High Heart Rate Walking Workout
Well, I’ve now found a low-impact, high heart rate workout. Walking hills. Here’s what I experienced on some local hills in this morning’s workout:
- 25 minutes uphill (10-30% grade) at a brisk pace. No Jyze, just huffing and puffing. Result: average heart rate of 150 BPM (beats per minute), max of 168 BPM. 15% fat burn.
- 23 minutes downhill (same grade) at a brisk pace. Added Jyze in 30 second to one minute intervals. Results: average heart rate of 123 BPM, max of 134 BPM. 55% fat burn. (By way of comparison, my typical downhill heart rate is 100-105 BPM.)
I was amazed by a downhill heart rate of 123 BPM! I got the 20+ minute heart rate that my cardiologist has recommended, combined with 48 minutes total in the fat burn zone! And I felt the burn throughout my shoulders, chest, upper back, and arms, something I never, ever got on even my very best running days.
Cardio-toning. Now that’s what I’m talking about.
What’s your walking workout?