ZenTriBrett wrote:
I'm a half-believer in Maffetone's method. What he says is right on, but many races have different requirements. If you go above a certain heart rate (usually 180-age), then you're training more anaerobic systems for sprinting or forcing your way over a steep grade. For endurance events on flat gournd, that's definitely not the right thing to be training. BUT, if your race has hills or bursts of speed to catch a pack, never training those systems will ruin your race day. Do a race with lots of hills and you have to go way over threshold many times or you'll go backwards or fall over. A mountain bike race or trail run would be great examples. If you never touch going anaerobic and then do a race that requires it, you're going to be in a world of hurt. If you tried to stay below 180-age while mountain biking hills, you'd have to get off and walk... slowly, while everybody else rides past you with their strong legs trained going anaerobically. Basically, build aerobic base, but don't forget to train for what you're racing.
Or you could use a scientific method to determine HRs and not the MAF Method and train for the terrain you're racing. But hey, to each their own. ;-) Good to see you post Brett
Mike Ricci
2017 USAT World Team Coach
USAT National Coach of the Year
Coaching Triathletes since 1992.