The past year has been an amazing running journey. I have run more and further than I ever have. I have overcome obstacles, grown in my physical and mental strength, and checked off many running bucket list items. However, I firmly believe that my running and training should now take a new path. Not only running for fun, but also learning to run more efficiently.
The past month I have been running slow (for me). I am heart rate training and running at a specific pace within a specific heart rate zone. This is new for me. I have dabbled with it in the past, but I am determined to stick it out. Even if it is requiring me to be patient and have restraint with my desire to run faster. (Below is my ‘I’m not amused face’)
I believe my body was over trained and battling a chemical injury post CIM while I was training for the LA Marathon. My pace was slower than and my runs were a struggle. I finished and I completed the assigned plan, but not with gusto. I think my body was tired and over trained.
I do have races on the calendar, but will continue to run for fun… not for speed. Like I said earlier, this is a new journey for me. I am looking forward to the changes I will see and the challenge of listening to and learning from my body.
I am currently reading and studying Dr. Philip Maffetone’s book The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing. I am underlining and marking it up like I am studying for a big exam. I plan on sharing what I learned from his book over the course of the next few weeks… be prepared for your mind to be blown! I know my brain is!
I am in my second month of the MAF training method and I believe I am already seeing results. Yay! I will share with you my results after next month’s trial run (month 3). I am super excited to see where training based on my heart rate will take my running performance… and my overall health!
I am embracing that it is not how you start… but how you finish. I will finish strong!
Miss Rachel…you are going to knock our socks of at the Napa Zooma Race this Summer. I have not used any running products, heart rate or other…just my Nike + running app. I am like the photo on your post … Not how we start, but how we finish. I run just hoping and praying to finish anything and cross any finish line LOL. I am really thinking of getting one of those Garmin things for my wrist. You are really becoming a true runner, very inspiring. I sure wish we lived in the same town, I would love to train with you 🙂
Thank you, friend! Who knows, I may not be ready to ‘rock my socks off’ at ZOOMA yet and will want to run the race for fun. 🙂 You never know!
Hey! I’ve tried to use a heart monitor once or twice but it annoyed me. So I just run as hard as I can until I can’t breathe, but I can’t say this is the most intelligent approach..ha! As far as running reads, I LOVE reading running books. Check out; ChiRunning for a good balance read, The Lore of Running for a great scientific read on how the body operates; Running for Women by Kara Goucher for a great motivational read with tips too. 🙂 cheers! Happy and blessed running!
Thanks for the running book recommendations. I will check them out! 🙂
Yes, I am very familiar with your training approach… run as fast as you can till you feel your heart will explode then recover and repeat! 🙂
I have always been a slow runner for if I didn’t run for the fun of it, I would be very disappointed LOL I don’t have a Garmin or anything to track numbers other then my Map My Run app. I think I would obsess over the numbers if I got to involved with that part of running. Good luck in your training! Listen to your body and you’ll be great!
Thank you. Yes, I can obsess a bit over the numbers and forget why I love running so much. Listening to my body and learning to heed its cues are going to be crucial. 🙂
I have never used the heart rate training method-have thought about it a few times. Interested to see where that journey takes you. Good luck!
Thank you 🙂
I try to watch my heart rate because mine tends to get up there HIGH & I know that can’t be healthy… when I’m trying to make my heart as healthy as possible.
Yes! That is what was happening with me… and I began wondering if I was actually doing damage to my heart rather than helping it by exercising. So… I am trying this. 🙂
Yes, keep us updated with your heart rate training. I have been interested in trying it out but have heard that it is very hard to keep your pace and effort low enough.
Yes. It does require patience and restraint. My running pace is also my power walking pace… so that is frustrating. BUT I know that if I stick with it I will see results. So for now… I must run SLOW to run fast 😉
This is new ground for me too, but I have already remained healthier and run happier than I ever have before. I have even set my HRM so that I can’t see my pace and only work on keeping my effort where I want it. I would rather be running races when I’m 90 then burn out or get hurt again.
Yes! You hit the nail on the head for me too! I want to be running when I am 90… and not ‘peak’ in my 30s 🙂
I used to use a heart rate monitor all the time (The polar) but stopped for some reason. Need to get that back out and start again!
I haven’t read any good running books lately but, reading through the comments, there are a few out there i want to check out. I don’t use heart rate monitoring…I am a back of the packer who usually just wants to finish the race 🙂
Still doing heart rate training?
i’ve never used hrm training but i heard great things.
Ran across your blog when I was doing some research into MAF. I did my first MAF benchmark run this morning and am going to try to go at least the next four weeks following my heart rate rather pace. I scrolled through your blog but didn’t see your overall results – did you find success with it? Was it worth it? Thanks –
I struggled with my MAF training. I was mainly walking. Granted, I did see my speed improve in my heart rate zone… however, when I resumed running for fun I found that my overall speed greatly decreased (by 1+ minutes).
I still train using my heart rate as a guide (with my polar heart rate monitor)… but find that my heart beats faster than the average bear. 😉