Interesting paper on "how low can you go" when it comes to training intensity... Researchers compared 6 weeks of training at VT1 versus ~12% below VT1, with total volume matched. Result? Both groups improved endurance performance by essentially the same amount: • Critical Speed ↑ similarly • 3600m performance ↑ similarly • Jump performance ↑ similarly • D′ (anaerobic capacity) ↓ similarly The only real difference was that the VT1 group reported: • Higher RPE 🥵 • More fatigue 😫 • Higher training strain 💔 In other words, running ~10-15% slower than VT1 produced the same fitness gains with less overall training stress. A useful reminder that just because it feels harder, doesn't mean it's more productive... Sometimes, slower really is smarter!