Easy runs by Pace vs Heart Rate
Quick backstory: I have been getting back into running consistently since last Summer / Fall and noticed once again that it doesn’t take much for niggles / small injuries to appear for me.
On the search for a solution to this I decided to try out the Norwegian / Norwegian Singles style of training and I have seen some first results already (new 5k Pb, 22:04 from 22:39 two years ago without any of the race pace work and even on lower mileage than I used to do back then).
I have stuck to the paces from Bakkens golden Zone calculator for subT sessions and they have felt pretty spot on.
Here comes my question regarding the approach to easy runs: Whenever I try to go purely by Heart rate on my easy runs, not looking at pace at all, I run a lot slower than when sticking to a conservative pace and not looking at hr the whole time.
In the two screenshots I ran by pace in the first and by HR in the second one (similar loop, similar conditions, similar RPE, within three weeks of one another). This is not a one of thing, it happens very consistently, I have even tried switching mid run and have seen the same effect.
Has anyone experienced anything similar and do you think there is any harm in going by pace / feel if going conservative enough? Before adding a third quality session (currently on two subT Sessions, 2x Easy 1x Easy Long) I want to make sure I don’t overdo Easy days to avoid burning out.