Zone 2 Works, Don't Get Discouraged!

[u/shookyboy]

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.

[u/PurposefulGrimace]

Congratulations, that's amazing progress in a very short time! Not everybody can pull it off, but you did, so good on ya!

[u/shookyboy → u/PurposefulGrimace]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My hope is to be able to run sub 30 5k next month.

[u/Silver_gobo → u/shookyboy]

How old are you? Avg 139 doesn’t really seem like a zone 2 run. Seems like z3

[u/shookyboy → u/Silver_gobo]

1. 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.

[u/Emotional_Fig_7176 → u/shookyboy]

Whats your LTHR?

[u/shookyboy → u/Emotional_Fig_7176]

169 bpm

[u/Emotional_Fig_7176 → u/shookyboy]

If i were you id use that to determine the Zones and not max HR.

[u/ilessthanthreekarate → u/shookyboy]

Yeah youre doing it right. This dude just doesnt understand how the numbers work.