Chest Straps and Lactate Threshold Tests

I have a FR255 and asked the exact same question a few weeks ago, to which I was informed that the HRM-Dual would work.

So, I went buying an HRM-Dual from Amazon and I did my very first Lactate Threshold Test this morning.

I confirm that this model works.

Now, I have some questions/comments of my own here. At the end of the test:

1) unfortunately I got an error message saying that no LT was detected. There are a number of threads here and there on the subject and this seems to be a common problem, but I wasn't able to find a "good" solution. I guess I will have to try again. One thing I need to mention is that this LT Test was for me the very first run outdoor for me with this watch (otherwise my activity outdoor is limited to brisk walking). I don't know if that's important.

2) my max HR during this test was 169 and at the end, the watch told me it was adjusting my Max HR up from 174 to 175. I don't understand why, let me know if any theory.

3) I was surprised that my VO2Max wasn't changed (either up or down). I was expecting it to do... something. But no. It stayed at 39. Let me know if any comment.

It is very difficult to actually reach your maximum HR during an activity. You would need to do be at a very high HR and then do a very hard sprint. The watch can estimate that  you were not reaching it. It has done the same for me some times. 

In my recent lactate test, it found the threshold at my first attempt. VO2Max was not changed, but max HR was slightly adjusted.

Here is link to mine:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/10860461078

Check out the heart rate graph, where workout target is included.

ovekvam thanks a lot for sharing, your data are... very interesting to me to say the least.

Here's a link to mine:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/10906053167

Could you take a look and let me have your comments ? One thing that strikes me immediately is that in your case, your test gave you 1' of moderate intensity, and 30' of vigorous activity, while in my case, I had 27' of moderate activity and 7' of vigorous activity.

What useful information can I extract from that ?

I note that both your average and max HR are almost the same as mine in this Test. But I presume this is normal and perhaps will be the same for everyone ?

My test repeated the first 4 minutes with the same target again, maybe because I confused it by stopping to tie my shoe laces. Yours decided that your running was more intense than anticipated, and wanted you to slow down. After that it seemed to proceed fine. Your performance condition is negative, which indicates that your shape (and VO2Max) is probably not as good as the watch had anticipated. While I could run through my entire test after warmup, you did quite a lot of walking to keep the heart rate in the right zone. I guess that makes it a bit more difficult for the watch to find the threshold.

Also I don't know if it matters but unlike you, I didn't run around a racetrack (I don't have one within walking distance from home).

The best I could find that would be flat enough would be to run 1km on this portion of road, and then turn around and run back. Perhaps the watch got confused...

I can go to a racetrack though if I have to to do this test.

Interval running is a great way of getting into shape. Patience and consistency is the key, and eventually you will get there. 
I am 51 years, 189 cm, 78 kg, and a resting heart rate of 42.

Thank you for all the info !

My local racetrack is not very close either, so I had I bike ride to get there. A fairly flat piece of road should work fine.
I do however have an advice. I notice that your cadence is a bit low for your height. When jogging slowly, try to reduce your stride length instead of the cadence.

Got it, and will do, thanks a lot. I will try it again on Monday.