Struggling with Zone 2 Running? You May Have Set Your Heart Rate Zones Incorrectly
Recent research reveals that conventional heart‑rate formulas often misplace Zone 2 by up to 10 bpm, because individual variation can be as high as 5 percent. A 2025 laboratory study of 50 endurance athletes showed lactate and ventilatory thresholds are far more precise than generic HR‑max percentages. The article explains how runners can correct inaccurate zones using field tests such as lactate‑threshold runs or short all‑out efforts, and it stresses the value of non‑tech cues like the talk test. Regular re‑testing is recommended as fitness evolves.
Here’s Why Your Easy Runs Slow Down During Marathon Training
During marathon training, runners often notice slower easy‑run paces, especially in peak weeks. This slowdown is usually a temporary "valley of fatigue" caused by accumulated stress from long runs and hard workouts, not a loss of fitness. Recovery of glycogen,...