As I've started to focus on training for long distance runs ..
Added 2023-11-14 04:41:25 +0000 UTCAs I've started to focus on training for long distance runs I have become more aware about the needs of my body. I want to learn more about how to best and most efficiently train for a half marathon with an end goal of completing a full marathon. 🏃♀️ I am no expert in running and not a cardio specialist, but I believe when considering cardio fitness it is important to be aware of your heart rate. The duration and degree of elevation are factors to be considered with cardiac output. Heart rate zones range from 1-5. For the last few months I had incorrectly assumed that running harder and faster must always be better than slow and steady. Turns out that a slow and steady approach is more ideal ... a story about a tortoise 🐢 and a hare 🐇 comes to mind. To be fair maybe that rabbit had optimal cardio health and just needed to be more focused?! From what I have discovered, it seems for endurance training it is best to spend 80% of your time in zones 1-2 and only 20% in zones 3-5. It is also soooo hard to slow down and make yourself stay in zone 2 when it doesn't necessarily feel hard to maintain pace in zones 3 and 4. Training your heart to keep up with an overachiever's drive is a step that shouldn't be skipped. I only have one ❤️ so I'm going to try to take good care of it and be cognizant of these zones. 🥰
