Unlocking Unexpected Gains: My Journey with Maffetone Training
Week #9 of my Boston Qualifier Marathon Training
Hey, Runners, how's it going? With nine weeks left until my Boston Qualifier Marathon, I wanted to provide a quick update on my training this week, including a surprising experience that might inspire your running journey as well.
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Weekly Training Update
This past week featured a challenging 14-mile long run. Despite a rewarding finish, the uphill stretch left me feeling worse than I had anticipated, but I was able to push through and complete it.
Historically, I've been able to tack on extra miles to a run like this, but this time it was different. However, I'm still on track with my schedule and satisfied with my progress.
Looking ahead to the coming Saturday, the plan calls for an eight-mile run. However, due to my comfort level, I might extend it to a 12 or 14 mile effort instead. The training group I'm involved with follows the Galloway Marathon Training Method, which typically includes an eight-mile recovery run every other week, gradually increasing mileage thereafter. It's a great approach, but I feel comfortable challenging myself a bit more.
A Heartfelt Surprise
Now, let's talk about the surprise I encountered.
Tuesday morning brought an unexpected turn during my usual eight-mile run with friends. We typically maintain a comfortable 10-10:20 minute per mile pace, monitoring my heart rate to stay within the optimal range of 125-127 BPM. Occasionally, the rate might rise slightly due to weather or speed, but it's been consistently effective for my Maffetone training over the past few years.
On this particular morning, everything seemed to align perfectly. Despite not altering our pace, my heart rate was remarkably lower than usual. It averaged at 118 BPM for the duration of the run, an achievement I haven't seen since before my heart attack last year. It was a revitalizing moment, though likely a one-off occurrence. This unexpected drop illustrates the potential peaks you can achieve when committed to Maffetone training over time.
The Allure of Maffetone Training
Maffetone training is a slow but steady approach that involves training at low heart rates to tap into the fat-burning zone, leading to significant improvements. Typically, progress manifests in two areas: weight and speed. You might not notice changes immediately, but persistence pays off. Suddenly, you could find yourself dropping several pounds, seemingly overnight.
That's what happened to me. After about a year of steady training, I lost five pounds without gradual weekly weight loss. It's an exhilarating process but can be frustrating due to the delayed visible results.
Similarly, speed improvements may surprise you. Staying committed to low heart rate training might feel stagnant, but you might suddenly find yourself running faster without additional effort. These jumps in progress can easily catch you off guard. However, the long-term benefits make it worth the wait.
Keep the Faith
If you're considering starting or have been practicing Maffetone training for a couple of months without seeing immediate results, remember that patience is key. Stick with it, and incredible changes will occur unexpectedly. It worked for me, and I have witnessed its success in my coaching clients. Keep the faith, and embrace the unexpected transformations along your journey.
If you’re interested in learning more about Maffetone training, feel free to subscribe to stay updated. I'll be sharing more about my experiences and insights. Until next time, keep running!