Zone 2 training can be more challenging than it looks. Many runners struggle to maintain a relaxed pace during prescribed zone 2 training days.
A common scenario is that runners either panic about going slower than usual or notice their heart rate climbing higher than normal, but fail to adjust their pace.
Instead of adjusting, you continue on with the run, but finish up feeling like you just completed a tempo run rather than an easy session.
Experts emphasize the importance of zone 2 training, but finding and sticking to the correct heart rate can be difficult for both new and experienced runners.
It's tempting to pick up the pace on easy days, and hard to find the true zone 2 that allows for refreshed and recovered feelings on relaxed days.
Author's summary: Zone 2 training is challenging to maintain.