248 bpm
I was on a ride last night, when I started seeing weird readings on my heart rate monitor. First, it just seemed high--170 beats per minute (BPM), when I didn't feel like I was pushing that hard (that's "working my way up a steep hill" effort). I started worrying a bit, so I soft pedaled, hoping to bring it into line.
When it was still there an not dropping at a stop light, I did a spot check (two fingers to the neck for ten seconds), and my heart rate was more where I expected it (130-140ish).
I figured there might be some interference, and I'd be able to ride past it. However, things got wierder: 209 BPM. For those of you familiar with the old "220-age" formula (not accurate for folks who regularly exercise, but a good reference), I would be about a third of my actual age. Then, in the little numbers for my heart rate, 221...239...248. At that point, I was not only predating me, but my parents as well (220-248=-28). Clearly, something was wrong, but not with me. Cross-checks showed that the heart rate monitor was about 100 bpm higher than actual.
During the last half-mile, the speedometer (which is in the same unit) started going wild--it kept fluctuating between 9 and 16 mph. That is a much wider variance than I would have expected (usually, if I'm just rolling along, it my vary by a few tenths of an MPH). The final numbers were close enough to feel OK about the distance and average speed data.
I think I just waited too long to replace the battery in the unit. Tonight, I'll take it out, and bring my old heart rate monitor to cross-check it.
However, I did spend the rest of the night pondering what I could do with my new super-power: ability to have his heart beat faster than that of mortal men!
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