Optimise your Zone 2 Sessions with Heart Rate, Pace & Duration

[@windar2390]

How I look at zone 2 intensity: 10watt too low isnt that big of deal. It's probably even closer to fatMax than perfect zone 2. 10watt too high can be detrimental. You're training less type 1 muscle fibers and you're more fatigued the next day for your hard workout. Question: When the cardiac drift starts and RPE goes up (after 1.5h), should I lower the watts, stop training or keep going? My goal is to have a good base for my 5-20min efforts. (KOM hunting, lol)

[@klaussommer3899]

When I do my zone 2 cardio right after lifting, my heart rate is higher than usual. On these days, should I adjust by going slower or should I ignore my heart rate and focus purely on rpe?

[@windar2390]

After lifting the heart has still some work to do and hr is therefore higher. If you didnt train your legs in the lifting session, I would definitely go with rpe and pace or power.

[@jenHry-ng3pw]

Do you define zone 2 as a zone just below first, aerobic threshold (LT1)? Or how?

[@upsidestrengthen]

Indeed