Boom! My Z2 test this morning showed results! I am faster over 5 km whilst keeping my heart rate in Zone 2.
So much excitement – my aerobic base must be improving and four months of painfully slow running is paying off. My new time is 40:50, my previous best was 43:21 – sounds like a tortoise on marijuana, I know, but bear in mind that you may not go over your upper Zone 2 level here so I still have to insert walk breaks to calm my heart down. Not as much as a month or two ago though.
Granted, I have adjusted my Zone 2 upwards according to my newly found lactate threshold heart rate but then I also adjusted the incline of the treadmill from 0 to 1. I warm up slowly and then reset the treadmill to zero and start my 5 km.
I’m getting very fond of my treadmill actually. I know it’s not as good as outdoor running in respect of environmental factors and differing terrains, but I usually try and do 50% of my weekly mileage on the road.
The fact that I can know my EXACT pace and heart rate constantly just by staring ahead of me really pleases my bean-counter mind.
When I’m not in the mood for numbers, I can use it as a meditation tool. You don’t have to watch the road – just zone out, clear your mind of “chatter” and focus on your breathing. No need to assume the lotus position – and I do like to kill two birds with one stone.
Problems at work? No problem – hop on the treadmill and mull it over. Things fall into place when you’re running relaxed. In fact I’ve come up with some most ingenious plans while on the treadmill.
All in all, I think the good all T-mill does not deserve it’s bad rap.