Zone 2 Training Lessons
Zone 2 Training Lessons
In today’s example of “this is why I blog”: as I implement Zone 2 training for doing distance running again I was lamenting not having done so for my 2013 marathon training. According to my race recap post it turns out I did implement Zone 2 training. Well, I thought I had anyway. Looking back over...
"[A]s I implement Zone 2 training for doing distance running again I was lamenting not having done so for my 2013 marathon training. . . I thought I had. . .. Looking back over the data however it is pretty clear that I did not."
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What a great introspective.
I did a z2 run the other day in a 35C dry heat. For me, z2 is 130 - 135 HR, and I ended up with an avg pace of 8:00/km or worse.
Also, I’ve been told there’s some downsides to doing training runs that go much over 2 hours - which limits the distance you can reasonably run. Unless you either pick up the pace (and therefore your HR) or your pace naturally increases while keeping your HR low.
How does someone start getting their body used to longer distances to train for a full marathon, doing z2 runs? It doesn’t compute, so I guess to train for that I’d have to start doing 25-30km z2 runs, going for 3hrs or more.
@fivemmvegemite @marvinfreeman Ironically, on my 9 mile run yesterday I was listening to this podcast (among others) where she discussed not running more than 3 hours at a time. She PR'd her next marathon doing that guidance even though the longest she ran was 16 miles before then. One way she gets higher volume in a day is by doing two runs a day so evening run for 3 hours, then a 10 mile run the next morning. She referred to "The Hansons Method", which I haven't looked at. I'm personally doing 80% training so have one speed day on the road and one HIIT/Tabata bike day as well.
The Hansons Method
https://www.runtothefinish.com/hanson-marathon-training-method-review/
Consider this your Cliff Notes version of Hanson running plans overall. These are the key concepts of the Hanson Method for half marathon and marathon training:
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High mileage -
6 days of running -
Speed emphasis early in the training plan -
No planned cross training – in fact, they seem to do very little strength training -
Cumulative fatigue – “The development of fatigue through the long term effects of training which results in in a profound increase in running strength” -
3 “SOS” (Something Of Substance) workouts per week–speed work, tempo run at goal race pace and long run -
Longest run is 16 miles for most people
Obviously you may have heard of this training program thanks to the incredible success of Desi Linden. She gives them a lot of credit, but also noted that she reached a point where this wasn’t the best option for her any more
@marvinfreeman I actually hadn’t heard of it until yesterday. This doesn’t sound like a training plan that would resonate with me. Thanks for the summary though!
I hadn't heard of the Hansons Method either. Last year, I started two runs a day once or twice a week. Unsurprisingly, it was easier on my body than running the same distance continuously. And I didn't feel as fatigued over all as my weekly mileage increased. My form was better, too.
But as to the big questions: Did I have as much endurance? Was I faster? I really don't know. I wasn't significantly slower.
@marvinfreeman I don't so much mind the two runs a day part, or even running two days in a row. Although, I've only run two days in a row a handful of times. If I ever get to training runs that require me to run way more than 3 hours I could see that sort of breaking it up. The part that didn't resonate with me was the high mileage, six days of running, and no cross-training. For me this is primarily a longevity play with a mix of strength and cardio training to which I'm adding a secondary goal of doing longer distance races. I could potentially see the advantage if the racing was my primary focus though.
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I’ll take a look! 2x runs in a day sounds like a good way to get around that limit, although that would require finding the time to do 2x runs in a day :D
Here are some Hansons training plans for marathon and half-marathon:
@fivemmvegemite @marvinfreeman I started incorporating zone 2 runs and noticed I only got faster when I started duing some faster intervals or fast medium-long runs. Doing "just" zone 2 alone increased my endurance and was good as a recovery run. The zones shift when you work on the threshold.
Ok, that makes sense. I’ve only intermittently been doing intervals. I’ll try to make them a more regular part of my runs and see how it goes.
@fivemmvegemite @marvinfreeman Sorry, the Link to the podcast is below. The conversation is about the 23 minute mark. What I'm hoping is that by the time I'm trying to work up to marathon distances in a year my pace will be fast enough that it will be moot. Here's to hoping :)