I've been running since 1/29, 580 miles or so, steady 38-42 miles/week. (Ran 47 today, with a solid 16-mile LR yesterday).
My HR is still high on EZ efforts even when I go by feel. I am still consistently around 135-145 at 9:20-9:50/mi even with low effort and proper breathing on EZ runs...and I have nearly 600 miles of base so far (When I started 1/29 I ran 3 miles in 31 minutes at 160). Some Columbus studs on Strava run 9:20-9:30 pace but their HRs are a solid 120-130.
Does it take multiple years of EZ running to get that HR down? If I try to run at 115-130 bpm to fulfill the Maffetone-like HR principles my form gets wonky and I have to stop and walk. At least 9:20-9:50 I can keep general form. I totally get the concept of HR training but it sounds like it doesn't always work for everyone. Or are some people born with naturally higher heart rates?
The good news is that running by HR (versus hitting time goals on EZ runs) has kept me fresh for workouts/tempos/intervals and the LR each week! No soreness at all now...and I've improved my footstrike due to improved glutes/stretching.