The problem with using elliptical and treadmills is that the pace does not convert easily to comparable outdoor running. So, I am using heart rate as a means to determine overall effort. Today, for example, I ran at an average of 6.2 mph while not exceeding 156 heart rate. I even managed 2 minutes at 7.5 mph and still didn’t break 156. Had I pushed myself to those speeds for any length of time while running outside I’m sure my heart rate would have been over 175.

Anyway, I have been maintaining at least two thirds of my workouts at cardio heart rates.