"I Hate Running"

Ever heard someone say that?  Did you say it?

I was in the "hate running" camp for a long time. I participated in track when I was in Jr. High. I didn't enjoy that experience. I can still remember trying to keep up with the group I was assigned to run with, and feeling like I was dying. I remember the track meets, where I was supposed to be the anchor in a relay, running the longest leg of 400m. I still have no clue why the coach put me in that spot. I sucked at it. 

Fast Forward to adult life, and here I am, running for fun. I have the secret for you.

Zone 2. It's a heart rate thing. 

You can look it up, and figure out your bpm (beats per minute) range and all that. The super short explanation is to go slow. This will include walking for most people that aren't already running on a regular basis. I am in this camp, at the moment. You don't have to have an HRM (heart rate monitor) to start using Zone 2. Just walk/run with intervals to keep you at a conversational pace. This means that if you can talk to someone, while running, you are there. If you are just spitting out a couple words with each breath, that's too hard. 

Zone 2 is the reason people can run 100 miles. It's the reason Triathletes can move a combined distance of 140.6 miles in a race. It's the reason there are people out there running together, chatting away, like they are sitting at a bar together. Zone 2 is the shit!

When you are in Z2, your body is in perfect balance of swift movement, oxygen intake and fuel burning. What fuel? Fat! This is the "fat burning zone" that all those cardio machines at the gym have plastered on them. Z2 is for endurance. Z2 training, will help you get faster at a lower effort. Z2 is where runners, cyclists, triathletes, and...well,,,basically any endurance sport athlete should be spending most of their time. 

Here is the thing. If you are fat, like me, you don't want to be in the gym training in this zone all the time trying to loose weight. Confused? I was too, for a long time. Yes, during Z2 your body is using mostly fat for fuel. As soon as you stop, so does your fat burning. If you go and lift weights like a boss, your body will burn fat for hours after. Loose the weight with heavy weights and interval training AND HEALTHY FOOD. I'm not really all that concerned about "my weight". I'm fine with who I am. I don't care if I'm a bit thick. I just like being active. The weight will come off with triathlon training, that's for sure. I'm just not doing this solely for the weight loss aspect.

Zone 2 folks. ENJOY your running, by going slow. You will need to force yourself to slow down at first. Once you can check your ego and find that pace allowing you to go "all day", you will be a runner. You will be a HAPPY runner. 

-Kurt