Comparing Lactate Threshold Run Heart Rate to Pace: Finding the Optimal Balance
I usually do my L2 runs by heart rate rather than pace. This means I usually run slower than the plan and end up with a slightly lower load. My paces are based off a recent 5km time so I feel are accurate, I tend to be better at shorter distance than longer, I think. I have had this issue with other pace calculators as well. My only concern is that I am consistently ending up with a lower load and I wonder if that could affect my progressions. Should I just increase the workout duration by say 5-10 minutes? Or should I just do planned duration and athletic will catch up?
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Good morning @helen! Welcome to the forum and your first post! When I recently started to run following Athletica's plan, my first few weeks of runs were the same. Based on HR, my pace was below the estimated average and so was the load.
That's ok, though! Athletica will adjust your plan overnight. If your load is above or below the weekly target, future sessions for that week will be adjusted accordingly.
To quote Dory, "just keep running, running, running"!
Great question @helen, and good response too @jesse. This is a relevant post and podcast on Zone 2 work. I would agree with Jesse's advice, but also feel free to increase slightly from time to time if and only it feels right. Always listen within to know whether its the right thing to do or not. Manipulating stress appropriately (not too much) is the key to making progress in all of us. The most important session is the next session.
Great question @helen, and good response too @jesse. This is a relevant post and podcast on Zone 2 work. I would agree with Jesse's advice, but also feel free to increase slightly from time to time if and only it feels right. Always listen within to know whether its the right thing to do or not. Manipulating stress appropriately (not too much) is the key to making progress in all of us. The most important session is the next session.
Hey Helen, we took your question and ran with it at the newest episode of The Athlete’s Compass podcast : https://youtu.be/JV7CrhEKzPI?list=PLu7L8NU083obF15PPCLesMb5fFYypVgRa
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