Why is running so hard?

[@TheRunningWhale]

I’d love to focus on zone 2 but I can get above that walking most of the hills around here lol. I’m sure you’ll figure winters content out, you’ve managed to keep us all entertained up to now lol 💪

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

I do end up walking alot of hills to keep the heart rate down 🙈🤣

[@gregdufeu]

The weirdest thing has happened since my Ironman…before I could run 8:30 pace in zone 2, since the Ironman I can’t run faster than 10:20 in zone 2! The oddest thing is that when running at 8:30 or faster now, I still feel like I did before the Ironman (easy pace) but my heart rate tells a different story.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Yeh heart rate stuff is just weird. If I go to parkrun I can run so much faster for a lower heart rate than when i run on my own 🙈 One day il understand it all but I'm a long way of yet 🤣🤣

[@Deskjobrunner]

How do you define zone 2? 70% of max HR? I’m struggling myself with both HR and even how to define zone 2 😅

[@drdesign4890]

Massive fan of zone 2 training Stu, game changer for me. My weekly running schedule consists of 80% zone 2 and 20% speed work/long runs. Noticed a vast improvement in my speed over a few months. Also a fan of the compression socks/sleeves, especially with sore calf muscles.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Yeh, big fan of the 80/20 training. At the minute I'm just doing everything in zone 2 but hoping by Xmas I can start to work in some speed stuff. 👌

[@nicksrunningandadventureschann]

That escape run sounds good 👍 I wear calf sleeves all the time as used to suffer from shin splints .

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Nasty, i had shin splints many years ago by not changing my trainers enough. It's horrible. Fighting of niggles is half the battle 😂😂

[@nicksrunningandadventureschann]

@ I get pain in my hips knees ankles eye balls everywhere, and constantly knackered lol but I am 50 next year lol can’t be 18 forever

[@missingmimic]

The more you do something, the better you can get at it, but better doesn't necessarily mean easier, that's the rub. Been running a good while, and it never feels easy, but sometimes it feels "less difficult" then it used to. 😂 I use perceived effort, because my heart rate can be wildly fluctuating. Keep it up. 😊

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

This is true words right here 👆

[@ampgb223]

Hardest thing is getting out the door, so well done for doing that. heard a great tip from the an inspiring guest on this weeks new episode of the agegroup multisport podcast, Penny Bullimore, who said her psychologist friend, told her to just get in the mindset of going for a walk and then once your ready start running, so simple. Keep going you've got this.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

I completely agree, getting out the house is the hardest bit. Once I start I enjoy it and I always love the feeling of being smug when I've done a session 💪

[@Ruffnreddyrunner]

Hardest thing to do imo is getting shoes on and out the door so kudos for that fella

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Absolutely agree. Getting out that door is the hardest part. I always love it when I'm done and I have to remember that feeling 👌 All we have to do is just keep turning up.

[@Deskjobrunner]

Great video! I’m trying to run zone 2, but many times there is a hill or something else that elevates my HR and then I kind of give up and just run the rest with whatever pulse 😅

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

😅😅 Yeh many a time I have had to walk up a hill to bring my heart rate down. My worst is when I race across the road to beat the traffic and I spike my heart rate 🤣🤣

[@jasonsrunning]

Good run! 100% about the injuries getting older - zone 2 running definitely important and I find getting more strength training in helps - but as runners all we want to do is run, so it’s tough!

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Agreed, it's hard balance. Over the last year I have increased my s and c and I have noticed improvements in my running and less injuries so feel I should have been doing it many years ago 🙈🤣🤣

[@Run_Like_a_T-Rex]

I've never paid any attention to actual zones, but am a firm advocate of easy running to build your base and 'run slow enough to enjoy it'. I'd never done it before as always basically ran as fast as I could for each run (Ex military so it was all I'd ever been taught). But when I used a training plan for my first half I did an easy run per week and really enjoyed it. Way to get back on the horse mate

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Yep easy running is the way. I use heart rate as its a constant measure of where I'm at. I don't look at my pace or anything other than that and it does work me. Hope your going well 👌

[@Run_Like_a_T-Rex]

@@SwimBikeRunStu slowly building! 2 weeks before shit gets real

[@stevemckellar4978]

I used the treadmill to regulate my heartrate for zone 2 especially in the winter. I saw a big difference in speed at the same HR after about 3 months.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Yeh i think the treadmill is a good idea. It takes all the variable out so you can get a consistent workout. Keep at it 💪

[@Sheppey10]

Great vid Stu, I need to do some more zone 2 training to get fitter. Completely understand the dark nights, harder to make vids 😂 Winter is coming 🌑

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Yeh it's all about building the fitness now. It's been fun not doing to much but it's time to get fit again. Get on the zone 2 training. You will love it 👌

[@Sheppey10]

@@SwimBikeRunStu Yeah I need to get running again, just deal with the cold 😄 Definitely going to give the Zone 2 training a go 💨

[@theheathenrunningproject]

I've switched to primarily running on the treadmill at the minute, I have arthritis, and training in the cold does not go well, I end up in absolute agony. Our friend Carl did escape from Meriden, it looks pretty brutal cos you don't have any aid stations, and you have also got to plan your own route and survive for 24 hours.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

I always like the idea of the treadmill. Many a time I have thought about putting one in the garage to train on but I do like the stimulation of going outside. I have an office job so it's nice to get out. Escape from Meriden is crazy. It's a couple of miles from my house so I think I would just run home 🤣🤣

[@theheathenrunningproject]

@@SwimBikeRunStu I work from home, luckily for me the gym is literally a 5 minute walk away, so i always go on my lunch break. I still call it the dreadmill and would much prefer pounding the pavement, especially as where i live is surrounded by countryside, my body would hate me though for the next week or so.

[@markg99]

Yes, those easy runs are vital to keep us older runners from disintegrating 😅 Feel your pain on the content creation during winter. I tend to move most of my filming to the weekend long runs.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

It sucks getting old 🤣🤣 Yeh making videos is hard now. I just don't wanna make the same parkrun or zwift video every week. Il have to come up with some ideas 🤔

[@dogburn]

I love Zone 2 running but I definitely have to get my diet right before the run else pit stops become mandatory at about 1 hour in.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

🤣🤣 I'm lucky that I don't suffer with that issue then 🤔 Have you heard that des moines, iowa may have a full ironman in 2026 if you fancy it? Thinking I may race that one if it's true.

[@dogburn]

@SwimBikeRunStu Are you asking me out on an Iron date? Heck ya that'd be so cool.

[@SeanSpeaks]

I never heard of Zone 2 training before but have been using it for three months. The biggest issue for me is trusting it will work. My coach says to trust the process. It’s very difficult when you have never done it before.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

I love my zone 2 training. Definitely trust in the process. I'm always surprised how well I race on it 🤔

[@johnwolgast7753]

I do 6 runs a week and 2 are fast. I will probably not add any more fast runs per week for years

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

@@johnwolgast7753 crikey I would be broken doing 6 runs a week 🙈 Fair play to you 💪

[@raleyadventures]

Team Calf Sleeves all the way ✅✅ Pretty sure I would of been injured a long time ago without them on aha and they help in winter 🥶🥶

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

That's good to hear. I've been hearing your name alot this week. People have been talking about you at Coombe 8. You guys are famous youtubers 😎 Keep up the good work. Love the videos 👌

[@raleyadventures]

@ I even got some cake off some of your club mates 🤭👀🎉

[@TriToBeIron]

Spend a lot of time in LT1 mate. That's where the magic happens. Get after it buddy!

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

That's where the magic happens 🤣🤣 Love that. Hope your still going well dude?

[@TriToBeIron]

@@SwimBikeRunStu Yes all good mate thanks. Never stopped training just the vids!

[@Emma-xv4be]

Zone 2 doesn't work for me, although I do love it, but I never get any faster as a result. Perceived exertion is my favourite tool 😊

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

That's interesting, and this is what I enjoy looking at the details of things. Everyone has different things that work for them. RPE is a good way to go, I do use this alot also. Keep up the good work 💪

[@JuliusFawcett]

Thing is, mo Farah is the perfect body weight for running, and most of us are a sack of potatoes heavier. Would mo have got olympic gold carrying a sack of potatoes? No, we need to look like mo. Skinny af

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

I think I weigh about 3 times what Mo Farah weighs 🙈🤣🤣 I am definitely built like a sack of potatoes but as long I can enjoy my running then I'm happy.

[@JuliusFawcett]

@SwimBikeRunStu groovy