Progress Report: Zone 2 Training — Months 1–2
It took me only 10 years to learn about the importance of Zone 2 training
Running has taken off again and everyone is running. With all the newfound hype surrounding running, there is plenty of running information to consume. I must not have taken my running seriously in the past because I had no idea what Zone 2 training was until recently.
Zone 2 training is described as a pace where you can hold a conversation the whole time. It’s a form of low-intensity training, where you maintain a steady heart rate between 60–70% of your max heart rate. It’s said to improve heart health, endurance, and power.
After my last half marathon, I decided that I was going to build a stronger base, which meant incorporating more Zone 2 training.
I did not anticipate how difficult it was for me to stay in Zone 2. Who knew it’d be so difficult trying to run slow? I’ve always marveled at the fact that I was able to run without needing to walk. But for me to stay in Zone 2, I had to stop and walk — allowing my heart rate to come down.
My average time per mile fluctuated from 14–15 minutes and that was 2–3 minutes slower than my usual runs. As someone who regularly tracks run data, seeing my stats drop made me feel like I wasn’t making…
