The other night I again tried the Maffetone method while running. Once again, I could only make it a minute or so before going over the heart rate threshold.
I would say I am starting to have serious doubts about the Maffetone method at this point. Right now, I'm having to run one minute on, one minute off, when I would rather just run a half-hour straight and be done. So after a month of Maffetone, it's hard to say whether I've made any progress or not.
On the other hand, after just a week or so of doing the drills that Lee Saxby lays out, I am seeing results. The drills are getting easier, and I am getting more bounce in my stride.
I'm wondering then if proper technique is the "missing link" to Maffetone, and it may be why it is frustrating or doesn't work for so many people. For any non-elite runner, trying to run slower often means technique will break down. Hence, running slower may actually harm technique and lead to worse overall running.
I say get rid of all this “high tech” thinking and just go by
“conversation pace” (the pace where you can comfortably carry on
a conversation) and get on with it…
Matt, I too am trying the Maffetone method. Not so much the Saxby drills as I’ve already found my preferred stride using Pose.
I’m commenting because I’m having the same problem as you with the inability to run w/o exceeding the max hr. I found that the treadmill works for this. I increase the incline and speed so that a fast walk gets me there. This is incredibly mind numbing. I decided today to switch from the treadmill to my airdyne cycle.
The airdyne was super easy to maintain hr exactly where I wanted it.
That’s where I’m headed, probably. Just doing my due diligence.
I’ve made a lot of progress at MAF+20, which is still highly aerobic for me.