I was too, I mean Garmin hates zone 2 and base training it is 100% unproductive.
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I’ve also another question: during the aerobic base period (done following MAF method) do we still need a recovery/easy week every 3?
Training with HR so low is not very demanding and it seems that I don’t need to further reduce the volume/intensity every 3-4 weeks.
What do you think?
I’m trying to have faith in such “easy” training 
just returned from a 2h30m ride (avg hr 122, avg cad 85)
My answer is no. There is no need for a recovery / easy week.
But, as always, listen to your own body. If you feel tired, have a rest.
PS: Some stickler might be along soon to say you went over the 135 limit!
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yes, probably 
but my MAF limit should be 180-46+5 = 139.
I’ve seen that for about 3 minutes I exceeded 139bpm (probably during some overtakes, start at road crosses/lights or very short uphills) - but not for more than 5-6 seconds each time:
I don’t think it’s a problem and we need to be super obsessed. I hope
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100% what he said and for yes that > 135 means not following in the beginning. Once you see progress you can experiment with push it. The easy solution is lower your target by 5bpm.
For me I had to be very strict to see progress. It’s very risky to not follow the program, not see it working and say it does not work. You will start to understand my suggesting MAF-10 as a target.
@Alex
I was 99% of the time with eyes on my garmin, but sometimes it’s unavoidable to stay a little bit above (ex when overtaking a queue of cars or in a dangerous situation). All those cases were very short.
please look where 135bpm is
Maffetone says maximum, not a little over. You can have excuses but if you stay to -10 you will have more flexibility. This is a big commitment. Do it right.
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Trust I know exactly how this works. I did strictly for a few years. It’s not easy. It’s a big commitment.
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This may fall into the category of people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, but…
I don’t get the MAF approach. Surely, only Z2 rides for up to years will lead to stagnation?
I understand it is a good for base training if your schedule allows.
What am I missing?
At my lowly level riding normal country road rollers in Z2 is impossible.
Dave
I was deep in the Maffetone forums 10 years ago, one small serious group and one giant Facebook group came later. Everyone says/feels they can’t do it. Most people struggle in the beginning. Most runners have to run/walk, that is very frustrating.
Eventually people can get to the point they are doing sweet spot power with zone 2 hr. most can see progress for a few years. It’s not fun at first other than the challenge. You should really believe it before trying it. Reading Maffetone books is the best chance of this.
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My mantra is to be a good guy and sincerely wish the best for everyone with their training and that’s no different here.
Thanks for the explanation.
Dave
It’s much more important for runners and triathletes because most are broken and desperate so have an immediate need to fix. Cyclists don’t have this level of desperation.
One of the videos that first caused me to look at MAF / low HR stuff was a runner (even though I don’t run).
Here I have set the video to start at the point where he talks about his first experience of MAF training… (by the way, whilst he is explaining this, he is running at 6:44 / mile or 4:11 / km pace)
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copied from video
@Alex
it seems to confirm that we can do MAF training while also doing 15-20% of anaeribic training (probably not mixing them in the same ride/run, but in the same week).
This is against previous statements to do follow “exclusively” MAF training during the base period.
(this is comment from the video author, not Maffetone)
What do you think?
Yes, exactly as it says: add the speedwork once you reach a plateau, or when you have been improving for 3 - 6 months from MAF training.
Your red box misses the most important word of the text: “Then”
Why would you choose to go with “some guy off the internet’s” interpretation of Maffetone’s work, instead of going with Maffetone himself?
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@Ivegotabike
no I do not want to change the Phil’s model; I was just commenting about the “little bit” extreme/integralist view of doing only MAF workouts when doing such kind of training.
I’m not trying to find excuses to enjoy some anarobic work I’ll follow the model as much as I can, but probably not at 100% because with MTB it’s simply impossible to do some trails without few seconds or 1-2 minutes with high HR. In any case I’ll dedicate at least 2 days per week (over 4) to exclusive MAF training without exceptions.
I think it will work. I think that doing it 99% perfect over 3 months will bring results. We all know that there are many other aspects harder to control that can also impact the result (sleep / work-family stress etc)
Train MAF UNTIL… you need to reach the UNTIL. He very specifically says some people can handle a little over and some can not, and it’s better to be under to start with and then start experimenting. You may not see progress going a little over. So you have two choices.
-
Do it your way and see what happens. If it does not work, then go hard core by his suggestions.
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Go by his suggestion to start with then you can stop soon if it does not work for you
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I’ll do 1. following the 99% good rule. Otherwise I’ll stop enjoing MTB (that is already more complicated than road bike at keeping steady efforts).
For running it’s easier to implement as there are fewer “environmental” challenges.
I’ll keep you posted 
Runners hate walking but walking on a bike is even worse… so I fully understand your challenges. Fun and MAF frequently don’t go together in the beginning. There is a reason most people don’t want to do it.