Types of runs…please come in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, does anyone do strictly zone 2 long runs and separate zone 3 interval/HIIT runs?

This is basically my pattern, but I run for fun so I'm not super strict about maintaining a schedule. I mostly do 30 to 45 minute runs in zone 3 or zone 3/4 HIIT type runs, and one 60 minute zone 2 run per week. I know you're "supposed" to mostly do zone 2 runs but I run for sanity and clarity and the faster runs do it for me.

Op here, thanks….this is what I do for 17 miles a week and i want to increase mileage. Might try some additional zone 2 runs as PP advised increased his mile pace.

[Anonymous]

I think I’m in about the same position as OP - early 40s female running about 17 miles per week divided into 3-4 runs. But, I had been under the impression that when runners talk about “zone 2” they were referring to heart rate zone. For me, that is very difficult bc I am almost always in heart rate zone 3, even when I feel like I’m going easy/conversational.

I am also familiar with wattage/output based “threshold” zone 4 from peloton power zone training but I guess I thought that was on a different scale altogether and not what the runners are using.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I’m in about the same position as OP - early 40s female running about 17 miles per week divided into 3-4 runs. But, I had been under the impression that when runners talk about “zone 2” they were referring to heart rate zone. For me, that is very difficult bc I am almost always in heart rate zone 3, even when I feel like I’m going easy/conversational.

I am also familiar with wattage/output based “threshold” zone 4 from peloton power zone training but I guess I thought that was on a different scale altogether and not what the runners are using.

I think there's 6 of those zones and they are on the bike, not tread.

[Anonymous]

None of these "zones" have any meaning because the definitions are arbitrary based on a whole host of different endurance philosophies. Not to mention that heart rate is incredibly variable based on a billion factors including recent training stress, hydration, air temperature, humidity, elevation...

The best way to come up with an effective running program is to find a structured training program, pick a target, and train towards that target. If you don't have a target, find a maintenance plan, and follow that plan. You can do this with paper and pen, an apple watch, a garmin watch, or any of that paired with something like training peaks, intervals.icu (open source), final surge.....

Or, you can flap around and not worry about progress, which is honestly also an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of these "zones" have any meaning because the definitions are arbitrary based on a whole host of different endurance philosophies. Not to mention that heart rate is incredibly variable based on a billion factors including recent training stress, hydration, air temperature, humidity, elevation...

The best way to come up with an effective running program is to find a structured training program, pick a target, and train towards that target. If you don't have a target, find a maintenance plan, and follow that plan. You can do this with paper and pen, an apple watch, a garmin watch, or any of that paired with something like training peaks, intervals.icu (open source), final surge.....

Or, you can flap around and not worry about progress, which is honestly also an option.

Exactly!!