Still in the Zone

Looking poised to do something with that disc. Photo by Ed Fox

I just returned from Regionals for the Great Grandmasters (GGM) division of ultimate. While that sounds like we’re all super amazing, what it really means is we are all over 50. This was my first tournament since November, and it was a bit of an experiment.

See, I have changed my training. Used to be, to prep for tournaments, I would run and do running intervals and run with a weighted vest and things like that. On top of my usual yoga and weight training. But since my knee has been a problem, I have cut running out completely other than when I’m actually playing ultimate.

Instead, I’ve added two or three Zone 2 sessions on the elliptical per week. It keeps the running muscles working without the pounding on the knees. But it does not elevate the heart rate or work on the start and stop that ultimate requires. Instead, it builds endurance and stamina. (This blog goes into what Zone 2 is in more detail.)

So, this Regionals was the “big reveal” of how this training worked. Would I still be able to run as fast and make all the necessary cuts and movements? Would I tire out faster than usual? I honestly had no idea until I got there.

Turns out, my fitness level was much better than I remember. I recovered very quickly between points and was able to play multiple points in a row when asked. I played every point in the second half of our last game, without losing a step or struggling at all.

I’ve been tired since Sunday, and a little achy, but nothing too bad. I even played again at summer league last night.

This is not exactly a scientific study, but for me personally I can conclude the following:

Zone 2 training definitely improved cardiovascular endurance.

My regular workouts are enough to keep me in “ultimate shape”, along with playing ultimate once a week when I can.

Staying off the knee (by running far less than I used to) makes a huge difference in how it feels during and after a tournament.

I imagine my overall fitness level helps with this. I wasn’t starting from nothing, I have a good foundation to build on.

But it was nice to see the results play out this way. Elite endurance athletes train mainly in Zone 2, and seeing how that has a positive effect on ultimate is encouraging. I’ll go more into detail on ultimate as an endurance sport in my next blog.