Zone 2 training can be more challenging than it looks. Many runners find themselves going slower or faster than expected, leading to an unintended intense workout.
Experts emphasize the importance of zone 2 training, but finding and maintaining the right heart rate can be difficult. It's tempting to pick up the pace on easy days, making it hard to find the true zone 2 that allows for refreshment and recovery.
Instead of adjusting, you continue on with the run, but finish up feeling like you just completed a tempo run rather than an easy session.
This experience is common among runners, regardless of experience level. The key is to find the right balance and stick to zone 2 for a truly effective and refreshing workout.
Author's summary: Runners often struggle with zone 2 training pace.