Getting Started with this Zone 2 Thing
Alright, so I started looking into this “thomas doria zone 2” stuff recently. Heard about it, sounded interesting for just, you know, feeling a bit better day-to-day, maybe having a bit more puff without getting totally wiped out. Didn’t really know much about it, just the name.
First thing I did was try to figure out what my “zone 2” actually was. Seemed like it was all about heart rate. Found some simple ways online to estimate it, mostly based on age. Wasn’t super scientific, I guess, just took my age, did the math they suggested. Gave me a rough range, something like 115 to 130 beats per minute. Seemed kinda low, honestly, but figured I’d just follow the plan.
My First Attempts at Training
So, I decided to try it out. My main thing is cycling, just on a stationary bike I’ve got at home. Easier to control the effort that way. Got my old heart rate strap out, dusted it off, and synced it up to my watch.
The first session was… well, weird. I started pedaling, aiming to keep my heart rate in that range I calculated. It felt really easy. Like, ridiculously easy. I kept wanting to push harder, thinking “this can’t be doing anything.” My breathing was totally normal, could easily hold a conversation (if anyone was there!).
- Kept checking the watch constantly. Heart rate creeping up? Slow down. Dropping too low? Pedal a tiny bit faster.
- It was kinda boring at first, not gonna lie. Used to going harder, feeling the burn.
- Tried to stick it out for about 45 minutes the first time.
Did this maybe three times a week to start. Just kept plugging away at it, focusing on staying in that zone, not going over. It took some getting used to, retraining myself to go slow and steady.
Sticking With It and What I Noticed
Been doing this for a few weeks now. Consistency seems to be the big thing everyone talks about with this method. So, I just made it part of my routine.
What have I noticed?
Well, surprisingly, I do feel… different. It’s not like I suddenly became a super athlete. But my general energy levels seem a bit more stable through the day. Didn’t expect that. When I do go for a harder ride now, maybe once a week, it feels like I can hold a tough pace for longer before feeling totally gassed. That base level seems stronger.
It’s still sometimes a mental battle to keep the effort low during those zone 2 sessions. My brain tells me I should be working harder. But I’m trying to trust the process, like they say. Just keeping it steady, keeping the heart rate in check, and putting the time in.
So yeah, that’s been my journey with this thomas doria zone 2 thing so far. Started slow, felt weird, kinda boring sometimes, but sticking with it seems to be gradually doing something. Still early days, but it’s been an interesting experiment for sure. Just putting in the work and seeing what happens.
