Who knew it could be so exhausting running slowly for 75 minutes, all in zones 1&2! So embarrassing watching other runners pass me and disappear into the distance while I shuffled along beeping and buzzing. Being vain, I ran faster whenever I saw another runner, for which I paid with accelerated beats per minute. The watch paused itself a couple of times when I slowed to a crawl to get my heart rate back down after ☹️
It’s really hard to run slowly for a long time, as you have to concentrate the whole time. The moment you let your mind drift, or get distracted by your surroundings, you start running faster. I spent far too much of this run in zone 3 instead of 2.
But I enjoyed exploring new routes. There is a whole network of cycle tracks/footpaths in Abingdon that I discovered today, along with tree lined avenues and quiet alleys.
It was lovely travelling along to the sound of church bells and the scent of jasmine, then coming back in sunshine by the river, through Abbey Meadows and by the ruins of the ancient abbey. Humid but nice today.
I struggled today too Flick! I had to walk when in zones 2, sooo frustrating! I did my planned run in zones 2 and 3 and I then ran another 10k mostly in zone 4 without following the watch. I finished on a steep hill and my heartrate reached 185 so I definitely need to change my settings. I have probably been running slower than I needed to be but it does really help with stamina and endurance. It will be interesting to see what my new zones become.
I definitely think your pace will be fine Flick on the day. A few weeks before your half marathon you will want to run at race pace not training pace and you will most likely find zones 3 and 4 easier to run in.
It is really hard being so disciplined with this slow running though. I run to clear my head so like you these slow runs are tough because we have to focus so much! Fingers crossed Polar know what they are on about! X
Putting your maximum heart rate higher will help with those lower zones. The hot weather puts your hr up too, so we might have different readings if we were doing this in winter.
It’s weird how tough it is to run very slowly, really hard and my legs start out feeling like lumps of lead. Toxic ten feels hardly there , yet I’m finding it all easier further into the run.
With the pace, even though I’m running slower than usual, even with the intervals sessions, I notice that the speed is creeping up gradually, so it seems to be working. I’m very impressed with the training plan! X
Yeah I hate the heat, I know you don't. I've noticed that too lol, my zone 2 runs now are so hard that once I can run in zone 3 I'm too happy to worry about toxic 10 lol.
I'm going to change my settings to put my max heartrate up, I think I need to reset my resting too. It cannot be 55! 🙈🤣 Data is only useful if it's correct lol. But I am definitely getting fitter. Although I just have runs now, my interval training seems to have gone lols. X
Mine can be lower than 55. I think it’s pretty accurate. Polar are experts at heart rate monitors. The thing with the wrist based ones is that they are slower to come down from a high rate than chest straps, but otherwise they compare well. Low resting heart rate is a sign of physical fitness for athletes. They showed the resting heart rates for the team members during the boat race, and most of them were in the low to mid 40s. Or did you mean 55 was too high?
Intervals go later in the plan? There is light at the end of the tunnel? Lol x
Sympathy Flick. I'm coming back from this pesky hamstring injury, and the instruction to slow jog 100 meters and then walk slowly are driving me nuts. Slow is far more difficult than I remember. Hang on in there!
Thank you, I will. It IS hard. But I’m seeing the benefits already, and I feel amazing after every run 😊 I hope your hamstring is well and truly healed soon ❤️
Have you tried raising your cadence? It's really hard to run slowly using a "normal" stride length - so we can end up lumbering along -> "fee-fie-foe-fum (now I'm running like an eff-a-lump)". It's hard to up the revs and not run faster at first but it can be done. You may have to channel Quentin Crisp though (it worked for me)
Yes, I’ve been doing that instinctively, just as I do on my small treadmill in winter. It helps but doesn’t alleviate the problem entirely. The problem is the left side of my body, which is distorted (not visibly so) and weak due to ancient injuries. If I’m not careful, I scuff my left foot; im Forever having to remind myself to pick it up. My shoes wear unevenly.
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HM training week10 day5: 7.92km 1hour 20mins
