We all need a "Zone 2" day -- a low-impact, low-intensity workout -- once in a while. This is especially true for those who find it hard to skip workouts and often push themselves to the extreme. Instead of taking a day off (which is not a bad idea, either), a Zone 2 day is a good compromise, especially ahead of a hard cardio day.
Zone 2 days can significantly benefit your overall training and performance. They offer a de-load option, helping you maintain or build an aerobic base, especially when you don't have the energy for high-intensity workouts.
The Genesis of the Zone 2 Day
A few weeks ago, we had a tough run workout on the schedule. We were to do hill sprints (400 meters up, 400 meters down). But it takes two miles to get to the hill, and we had 800-meter, goal-pace intervals to the hill. On the way back, the two-mile distance was mixed with shorter, faster 400-meter intervals with squats and lunges mixed in for eight sets.
So instead of an intense workout, a few of us did a six- to seven-mile distance at a steady "Zone 2" pace. This pace is roughly a seven- to eight-minute mile for us, but it can be much faster for those with a better aerobic base. The key is to find a pace that allows you to maintain a conversation without feeling too strained.
Light activity (a conversational pace) at 60%-70% max heart rate (HR); also known as aerobic base training.
- To determine maximum HR, use the Karvonen formula: subtract your age from 220 to give a ballpark estimate of your "theoretical" max HR. For example, a 30-year-old's theoretical max heart rate is 220-30, or 190 beats per minute.
- Take 60%-70% of that. This will be your Zone 2 heart rate zone for this workout.
Why Take a Zone 2 Day?
You might think, "But won't this set me back in my training?" The answer is no. Incorporating an occasional Zone 2 day into your training routine can be beneficial in the long term. It's all about balancing higher-intensity workouts and allowing for proper recovery.
By giving yourself a lower-intensity workout now and then, you are setting yourself up for better opportunities to see improvements in running speed and endurance. So allow yourself to take it easy and watch as it pays off.
If you are not tired but feeling pain when running, it is recommended that you lay off the running and replace it with nonimpact cardio options if you can. Mobility Day is our go-to workout when pain is driving our workout choice. It is an hour's worth of five-minute biking or rowing mixed with five minutes of stretching and massage repeated for 5-6 sets.
If you need biking workout ideas, check out these three powerful ideas to improve cardio endurance and leg stamina.
The Balance Between Intensity and Recovery
When trying to improve running performance to reach a goal, optimal performance is all about mastering recovery. It's not just about how hard you can push yourself day after day but also about how well you can bounce back and continue to perform at a high level.
By replacing a sprint day with a Zone 2 day once or twice a month (only when needed), you are giving your body a chance to recover and adapt, which can ultimately lead to better results in the long term. Your performance depends on how well you recover from previous workouts. Your nutrition also plays a double role in helping you recover from today's workout while fueling you for tomorrow's training.
Whenever you are feeling lethargic, look back into the previous 24 hours. Consider the workout you did yesterday. How did you eat and drink following that workout? How did you sleep last night? Remember, your overall recovery matters just as much as your training. It's not about always going full throttle but finding the right balance between intensity and recovery.
So, the next time you're not feeling a sprint workout or notice your performance is lagging significantly, consider working on your aerobic base instead. Give yourself that break and trust it will benefit you in the long run.
You may call it a de-load day, an easier day or a recovery run day. But for what the workout changes into, let's call this change in the routine "taking a Zone 2 Day." Essentially, it's a day where you still do your run workout but lower the intensity of your run. It's a way to give your body a break while working on your aerobic base.
Want to learn more about optimizing your training and recovery for military running tests? Visit the Military.com Fitness Section and discover a wealth of resources to help you prepare for and complete any military physical training challenge.
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![How to lose weight by running on a treadmill](http://images03.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_tile/public/2021-08/runningtreadmill.jpg?itok=mcI1KRO2 "Army Cpt. Phillip Williams runs the first leg of Afghanistan's "Hood to Coast" run on a treadmill in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Jack Pagano/NATO Training Mission Afghanistan)")
