What are the benefits of training in zone 2 to build your aerobic engine and base fitness?

Winter training miles = summer smiles!

I know you’re not the biggest fan of steady state or cruise intervals. I’ve been reading Joe Friels latest book.. “Your best Triathlon. Advanced Training for Serious Triathletes”

Potentially interesting excerpt for you:

Aerobic endurance page 21

Zone 2 heart rate power or pace is the intensity that builds aerobic endurance. Go higher than zone 2 and you start to develop anaerobic endurance systems . Go lower than this and you are not working hard enough to challenge the aerobic systems

Online Triathlon Coaching Plans

By the end of the base period you should swim bike and run faster than you did at the start of the base period. Mark Allen (6x hawaii ironman world champs winner) used a heart rate as the upper limit of 155 bpm of his running intensity – that’s his zone 2!

When he first started he was running an 8:15 per mile pace (5:09/ km). Within a year he was running 5:20 per min mile (3:20 per km) wow! at the same heart rate. He had become 35 per cent faster without working any harder.

I know he trained aerobically a lot, and very strictly in his base period, dropping 60 seconds at the same heart rate in 12 weeks. Interesting hey. Need to get this on the swim, bike and run.

Agree? Benefits are massive!

Food for thought…

We’re currently accepting invitations for coaching new athletes. Apply here:

dynamicmotion1@hotmail.com

www.sound-coaching.co.uk

Level 3 British Triathlon Coach
Training Bible Master Endurance Coach
Training Peaks Level 1 Coach
Level 3 Personal Trainer
TRX Instructor

Nick de Meyer Level 3 British Triathlon Coach

Published by Stealth Coaching

Founded in 2008 by IRONMAN finisher and long-term triathlete Harris Nick is passionate about endurance sports and inspiring others to achieve their goals. He has coached triathletes and swimmers from all levels from beginners to those competing at all distances of triathlon world championships. Nick de Meyer Level 3 British Triathlon Coach STA Level 2 Swim Teacher Training Peaks Level 1 Coach Former Head Coach Phoenix Triathlon Club Former British Triathlon Regional Development and Performance Coach Training Bible Coaching UK Master Endurance Coach with Joe Friel 2x Ironman finisher 20 years experience in training and racing triathlons Worked with British Triathlon South East Region / Inter regional champs