Why Can't You Stay In Zone 2? | GTN Coach's Corner

This week's Coach's Corner is all about heart rate zones. How do I stop tipping into zone 3? Should I be finding zone 2 so uncomfortable? Why does my watch say zone 4 when I'm running slowly? We end today's #gtncoachescorner with a round of quickfire questions so we can answer as many of your queries on heart rate as possible! 🙌

0:00 - Intro
0:30 - I keep tipping into zone 3
2:18 - Why do I find zone 2 uncomfortable?
3:55 - Heart rate too high when running
5:38 - Should I run indoors more?
8:28 - Trying to run Z2 but my watch says Z4
10:06 - My Z2 HR for MaxHR and LTHR are very different
11:16 - I can't have both high cadence and high pace
12:37 - Why is my watch saying I swim at max HR?

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Sticking to zone 2 during your training can be a real challenge, do you have any tips or advice for staying within the heart rate zone? ❤️ Share it with the community in the comment section below! 💬

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[gtn]

Sticking to zone 2 during your training can be a real challenge, do you have any tips or advice for staying within the heart rate zone? ❤💬#gtncoachescorner

[nikosgaming]

I can't understate how INSANELY HELPFUL this was for me! Training for my first half marathon as a relatively new runner who has never done a race. Not looking to win, but to finish and be proud of it. Thank you!

[udithanda]

Also make sure to keep yourself hydrated for long runs. Dehydration can also lead to higher heart rate

[BairdJoshua]

Great video guys. Quick bit to add for anyone struggling like above.
For YEARS I read my Garmin's (watch) optical HR data. It gave me information like many of the questions above - sudden spikes in HR, Z4 HR on easy long runs etc, etc. I doubted it early on, but when I borrowed a friends Garmin it gave me the same data. I eventually gave up reading it and just though I was a freak who could have a full conversation with a HR of 205. Under advice of a friend a couple of months ago I invested in a chest strap, this has completely changed the game and now the data is what you would expect.
Moral of the story being just because data is generated, it doesn't necessarily mean it is right. And I would personally advise those asking the questions above, that if they think that it must be wrong, to maybe try a different way of measuring HR.

[Tommi]

I had the same problem with zone 2 training when I started running. I was just so out of shape, but also, I was just not efficient with my running either, having previously done any sort of athletic activity over 19 years earlier. I do occasionally drift over to zone 3 these days as well, but now it's more about the legs feeling so good that you accidentally run too fast and don't realize it. Anyways, what helped me back then was actually cycling. It was much easier for me to stay in zone 2 while cycling (just avoid huge hills) and it helped me build that base. Also, just patience. When you run enough, you'll automatically get more efficient at it eventually and your heart rate will not jump up so easily. This obviously applies to beginners only. If you've trained a long time and still can't stay in zone 2, your zones are probably wrong. Or you wear too much clothers and overheat. Or you've overtrained. Or like others here have commented, it's just way too hot outside, but being from Finland, I have no idea about that. 😅

[MMichiganSalveRegina]

One important thing is that Garmin's Zone 3 ("Aerobic") is actually Z2 as defined by other people. Zone 2 is "Easy" for Garmin, which is like Z1

[KlemenSuligojTri]

RPE is an even better gauge for Zone 2 training. Just run easy, breathing controlled, being able to hold a conversation. Heart rate can be influenced by so many factors it can serve as a guideline, but not a strict rule.

[jgameruk]

Usually, a main reason why we can't stay in the zone 2 is because our zones are all wrong. On Garmin, I use LT% rather than max HR to define my zones which seems to be working quite well for me and now easy runs stay in zone 2 (or in Stryd power zone 1). Although, nowadays I don't train much by HR but mostly use RPE + rPWR. I do look at the HR and if all zones are set correctly it's possible to see some correlation between metrics. Another HR zones issue indicating that zones are all wrong is during racing. If the entire race is anaerobic (maximum, whatever Garmin calls it) then obviously this isn't right either. That's why I prefer to run by rPWR because it's probably best way to quantify RPE in the real-time.

[MultiThunder]

GTN, I feel we need to address the elephant in the room, Base Fitness Level, before I could run in Zone2 without spiking into Zone 3, 4 and 5 after awhile I was actively Brisk Walking, Racewalking and Trail Hiking in Zone 1 and 2 (sometimes 3), I gradually built up my Base Fitness over 2 LONG YEARS to be able to sustain a very small (unsteady) Zone 2 run for 1km then 2 and 3 and then at 5km things became a lot steadier, I spiked less in the first 3km but I still spiked into Zone 3 in the 4th and 5th km. As my Base Fitness increased I added 10% additional distance per week, I'm now up to 7 km "Steady" in Zone 2.
.
Too many people think that Base Fitness to hold a Steady Zone2 pace (even a slow one) is built in months, IT'S NOT especially if you've had a Sedentary lifestyle and over 45 yrs old..
I have a friend that's a former athlete she's in her 40s and her Zone 2 is 138 to 150 +, she can go 4 x further and whopping lot faster IN HER ZONE 2 because she's built up her Base Fitness to support that Pace and Distance. It takes Years !!!

[chaseadventures]

In Texas it's regularly 90-105 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity so running outside in zone 2 is very very difficult unless you get outside super early (like before sunrise). The question about someone's heart rate creeping up over longer durations is very real for me. Treadmill workouts are mandatory for not only zone 2 runs but also intervals if you're hoping to get a solid workout for your muscles in addition to your heart. Just a couple thoughts from across the pond!

[MeharFaiza-lg]

Thank you so much for addressing all those zone 2 question ❓ greatly appreciated

[lifeisabeautifulride]

Thank you so much for addressing all those zone 2 questions!!! Greatly appreciated!

[ernestvigil]

OMG! This was recommended this morning. All of these questions are exactly the same as mine!

[Tommi]

Oh, and also, something people may not realize (I didn't, when I started), but if your heart rate is almost immediately in zone 2 when you start the run, you are going too fast. For me, it takes 10-15 minutes for my heart to kind of get used to the run, and settle at the level it then stays at for the rest of the run. So for the first 1K my heart rate will be at zone 1, sometimes even the second km. That was one mistake I used to make on easy runs is just starting too fast.

[jamstaa]

I used to struggle to stay in, or should I say, match my zone with my perceived rate.. but I moved to heart rate reserve, and it matches what I feel so much more. And the zones it moves and sits in during the various training types seem to match so much better. Before, I used to be walking getting no exercise trying to keep my zones down and I actually lost fitness.. now I feel my exertion matches my zones.. and my fitness improved again.

[SumbulSumbul-lnjx]

I can't understate how INSANELY HELPFUL this was for me! Training for my first half marathon as a relatively new runner who has never done a race. Not looking to win, but to finish and be proud of it. Thank

[NathanaelGreeneBKNY]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of different tri-training apps including Humango, Mottiv, Garmin, and Wahoo. Thanks!

[corinnelehr]

One thing that wasn't mentioned is that many beginners coming from little to no fitness really can't stay in zone 2 while running. An alternative is walk/running. Even running for 10s just to the upper edge of Zone 2, then walking for 3:50 for heart rate to drop and repeat. Gradually ramp up the percent running. And as other commenters have mentioned it may take a couple of years to be able to actually run in Zone 2.

[theunknown]

Ideally you would get a lot of bang for your buck by doing speedwork and tempo runs everyday, but you'd get injured very quickly. Z2 is there just to keep up the mileage and avoid injuries while giving you a good stimulus. It's not like your physiology stops progressing when you go from Z2 into Zone 3/4.

[nataliamartinkova]

This video actually addresses many of my most burning questions. So, #gtncoachescorner, this comment turned out not being a question. Instead, it is a thank you for the great content and giving us great advice on how to not get lost in watch metrics and lose running joy.