Data as Dogma

It’s not happening often (yet), but I’m getting back into the two workouts a day mix for the first time in many months. I’ve paid more close attention to how my body is reacting, now that I use an Oura ring (thanks Steve!) to monitor heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, resting heart rate and more. For example, now that I’m training more often (on less sleep), my HRV has dropped by 10 points over the last week compared to where it’s been since late summer (upper 80s). I’m still in the upper 70s, where anything over 50 is considered rested and healthy for moderate to intense training.

What’s interesting to me though is the mindset of having the Oura data and how it affects me.

See, a 10 millisecond HRV drop could be viewed as significant. As in, “Wow, I’m really tired and I’m not sure whether I feel rested.” Or, one can view the same data as, “Wow, I’m still in great shape even though I’m ramping up my activity AND I have an infant keeping us up at night. Let’s keep going!”

That’s the danger with data. And the power of a Good Wolf mentality.

If you approach it as dogma, data can limit your ability.

If you use it as a data point, you may have a more well-rounded perspective.

Gut instinct, intuition and plain-old qualitative feedback are invaluable for this reason and others.

The next time you view your data and feel yourself making a rash judgment, breathe. Pause. Ask yourself, “Am I hoping the data is telling me something?” What is it?

Chances are, the numbers will validate whatever perception you may have felt, so proceed with caution AND an open mind.