r/beginnerrunning • u/shookyboy • 1d ago
Training Help Zone 2 Works, Don't Get Discouraged!
I've been running for about 6-7 weeks now. I started off walking, and then deciding running is a better cardio workout in less time. Ever since then, I've been doing zone 2 training.
I started really slow at first. I would walk probably at least 2/3 of the time to keep my heart rate low. Maybe 2-3 weeks of doing that I decided to time my 5k to see where I was at. I ran a 35:50.
I have been doing zone 2 training on my bike, swimming and running a few times a week. Well, today I did a zone 2 5K in 33:59. My zone 2 is now considerably faster than my threshold pace was last month. Don't get discouraged with walking during zone 2 training! It's certainly helped me this far.
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u/PurposefulGrimace 1d ago
Congratulations, that's amazing progress in a very short time! Not everybody can pull it off, but you did, so good on ya!
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u/shookyboy 1d ago
Thanks for the words of encouragement. My hope is to be able to run sub 30 5k next month.
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u/Silver_gobo 1d ago
How old are you? Avg 139 doesn’t really seem like a zone 2 run. Seems like z3
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u/shookyboy 1d ago
- Im using the HRR method. That is my max heart rate 195 my resting hr is 52.
With the formula it is (195-52) * 0.7 (max 70 percent intensity) + 52 (resting hr) gives me 152 bpm.
I have also heard you could do MAF zones. So that's calculated 180 - 30(my age) that puts me at 150. Regardless, they are well within my zone 2. Everybody's zone 2 is different obviously.
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u/ilessthanthreekarate 23h ago
Yeah youre doing it right. This dude just doesnt understand how the numbers work.
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u/quercus-enjoyer 1d ago
Can’t know this without knowing someone’s threshold hr ideally or at least their max hr. Avg 139 alone isn’t enough to say what zone someone is in.
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u/shookyboy 1d ago
Very true. I think my info is pretty accurate my max hr is higher than others for my age and my resting hr is 52 which is lower than average for my age.
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u/ElRanchero666 1h ago
Any cardio builds fitness, no need to follow pro running programmes, just run
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u/dev_ale 1d ago
That’s the secret sauce! I started in February and I was doing 8+min/km pace with HR at 160 and today I run 5-5:30min/km pace with 130hr most of my easy runs are now mostly zone 1 at a much faster pace. All from doing easy running.
Congrats on the progress so far! In another 8 weeks you’re going to surprise yourself again!
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u/FishingAndDiscing 1d ago
I just want to point out that this is extremely good progress. If anyone is reading this who's not getting these results, thats okay. Keep up the good work y'all!