What is Your Resting Heart Rate? 34?

Invariably when I go to the doctor and a nurse takes my blood pressure and pulse, they start looking at me like I'm in a medical emergency. SIR, ARE YOU DIZZY, SIT BACK IN YOUR SEAT! It happens all the time. My heart rate is low, but my blood pressure makes them wonder if I'm alive. Yep, STILL CRANKING! — Invariably when I go to the doctor and a nurse takes my blood pressure and pulse, they start looking at me like I’m in a medical emergency. SIR, ARE YOU DIZZY, SIT BACK IN YOUR SEAT! It happens all the time. My heart rate is low, but my blood pressure makes them wonder if I’m alive. Yep, STILL CRANKING!

I am a fan of low heart rates. I know it’s weird – right?

Miguel Indurain before the Tour de France started some years ago, had a resting heart rate of 36 beats per minute I think it was.

My lowest ever was 38 bpm, but once I was measuring it and I was in the low 30’s. I got excited and it jumped up. Go figure, right?

Today I’m 48 years old and my usual resting (sitting) pulse during the day as I work, writing on the computer, is around 46 beats per minute.

My lowest recently has been about 42. Recently I got this 43 and that was pretty cool. It was just before 6 a.m. and I was still laying down.

I use pulse to assess in part whether I’m rested and how much I’m able to push myself that day as I run, climb, bike, or whatever exercise it is I have planned.

You’ve probably heard of Kilian Jornet, if you’re a runner. Especially a trail runner. Kilian is at the top of his game, and top of the world for running up mountains. His resting heart rate is 34 bpm.

Outrageous – right!?

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