Hi,
For the past 10 weeks I’ve followed a self-written structured training plan based on TFTNA — I’m doing 1-2 strength workouts / week, 1-2 runs (45 mins to an hour but almost all at 14:00min/mile pace in zone 1, ~55 miles logged) and one long hike/ski tour a week.
Here’s what I’m wondering. I went for my first trail run last night (I was well rested and ready to go), and realized how hard they are. Basically instantly, my HR was above 160. In nearly any running form, no matter how slow, I was above 150, even when I felt like I was somewhat-comfortably breathing. The run was varied terrain, but no major climbs.
So my question is, how do I reconcile this type of workout in a training plan? Is this type of workout OK to sprinkle in to my weeks? From what I’ve read, it sounds like it’s a classic no-man’s-land effort.
If a goal of mine is to do this type of workout in zone 1 (and with more climbing and longer distance), what “direction” do I come at it from — spend all my time in zone 1, until my pace increases with aerobic power? Is the trail environment just harder, and thus there’s just going to need to be some of these workouts to adapt to it, before I can even hold zone 1 comfortably?
Typically I run twice a week, and hike once. Should I bump up the running at this point and keep hammering at zone 1?
And finally — if anyone has any info / recommendations on Luke Nelson’s mountain running plan, I’m strongly considering buying it. Any information / experience with the plan would be awesome.
