The second reason… “I don’t think I ever really built a big base in the last year” isnt a reason to do Z2 only, its a myth you build a big base with Z2 ‘only’*, some people think that. Zone 2 is a major element though.
Injury is a very good reason to stick to easy running (Z2) only.
When injured I stick to easy runs only. I then do intensity on the bike or swim assuming that doesn’t aggravate any injuries or niggles. That might be an option? Its still a compromise as you dont load the muscles in the same way on the bike, but it is much better than only Z2 for all activities.
As you will probably know, the load on the muscles, bones, joints and tendons significantly increases the faster you run, so it is best to manage this load with slower runs.
I might have been given bad advice but I was told, if 24 hrs after a run your niggle or injury it feels worse the damaged area has been loaded too much. I.e. too fast or for too long. (This was specifically for a calf and Achilles injury, but I’ve used the same advice for a quad strain.)
I don’t think anyone can really answer the difference between all zone 2 and optimal training with speed work, I think it will be very specific to the individual.
Getting to the start is the important thing… not getting there is infinitely slower.
Pretty stoked to do some decent … ish tri/ endurance stuff this year ( in between running in circles with no clothes on).
I can swim and bike as hard as my old body will allow and the chance of injury is pretty low I would guess.
I don’t swim often enough to get the rotor cuff issue and I don’t put that much effort in the water anyway.
One of my favourite tri coaches said something like this in a outside v inside cycling debate a few years ago
“ as long as your adequately rested its set up properly for YOU … you have sufficient water and nutrition before, during and after the only way your going to injure yourself indoors on a bike is is you fall off the fucker”
Running is different I’m kind of doing z2 running only at the moment due to niggles/ injuries/ risk of injuries.
I see lots of people entering 70.3”s and most of there training seems to be lots and lots of hour sessions, can be done but surely not optimal.
For a full distance race …?!?
That could be very very painful towards the end.
It really depends what you mean by zone 2, and whether you really will never leave zone 2.
Regarding injury risk, you can get a lot on intensity on the indoor bike and the swim without much risk at all.
Conversely, keeping all running in zone 2 could be really tricky particularly if you’re fairly heavy. But hill work has relatively low injury risk.
Never doing any exercise outside zone 2 will not be optimal, but you will probably finish both events so I wouldn’t be particularly worried about times.
not usually…but without knowing what you are doing, it is impossible to say…
However, as london is only a matter of weeks away, then Z2 is probably the way to go if you are not well prepared.
Yes…but i assume you mean a balanced 6 months programme and a 6 month of Z2
Is thia your current level or your target level? what are your targets for LM and roth?
Have you ever been able to really buy a can of worms? Were they opened like a cab of beans with a can opener? Seems odd, particularly if they were alive.