Originally Posted by
jadocs
If you take medication, has any of them been changed or has there been any dosage modifications? BP meds will do this.
Nope. I am on BP meds, but they haven't changed in a couple years. And I'm religious about taking them, missing no more than 1 day a month or so. (I use a pill organizer to make sure)
Yesterday's ride provided me some a chance to look at real data. According to Strava, I've ridden this exact 19.8 mile route 6 times in the last 12 months. I put together the matched rides, and made a table of average and maximum HR and speed
Compare the 2 rides in October 19 with the equivalent two rides in October 20 is pretty stark. Well over 1 mph faster average speed, and average HR 15-20 bpm LOWER. Plus, in the November ride, I hit 180bpm at least twice - I was really pushing since I knew it was the last postwork ride of the year. Same thing for the ride yesterday - last post-work outdoor ride before timechange, so I pushed really hard, and I was a LOT faster. But my HR maxed out at 166. And comparing my best 2020 effort with my best 2019 effort, my average HR is 21 bpm LOWER
I probably weighed the same (~225) last year as I did in July. I have lost 20 lbs since July - 207 now (calorie counting and riding), and increased riding from maybe 45miles/week up to 90-110 (depending). So, the increase in speed doesn't surprise me THAT much. But combined with the DECREASE in HR I'm a little mystified. Still, I feel great, sleep well, eat well, etc. so I'm not thinking there's something nefarious going on.
Again, not complaining, just really curious. I'm a scientist, so unexplained observations always intrigue me.