I've been fascinated with the training of Bakken since I was in middle school (10 years ago) when I first learned about it, and it would only make sense that I've had the same interest in the Ingebrigtsens' training (and now Nordas's as well), but there has been a problem with my understanding this whole time. I cannot tell if this is actually a polarized model or a pyramidal model, which also means I am not sure what pace or effort the AM vs PM threshold workouts are done.
I know that the workouts all start out done by heart rate and closer to the first threshold (aerobic threshold or LT1) and progress to the AM / PM split of LT1 & LT2 (or anaerobic threshold or Critical Power or MLSS etc), but I am not totally sure which side of these thresholds the workouts are done (faster or slower).
My current "guess" is that they are a polarized model by pace and a pyramidal model by heart rate, meaning that in a 3 zone model they avoid zone 2 by pace (either training below LT1 or above LT2), but in order to run these workouts at a threshold effort, they keep the heart rate in zone 2 (above LT1 and below LT2).
This makes sense to me, but I keep second guessing myself as I have heard they are influenced by Seiler's polarized model, but train at the intensity Seiler says is not the best bang for buck and this explanation is my best way around that.
Also, I am not trying to replicate the ingebrigtsens per se, I am just trying to understand the ideas behind their method because I believe that is more important when trying to learn our sport. I have read almost everything their is on their training (and most elites in general), but if you think there is something I should re-read, please send it my way!
(One more thing, I understand there is a periodization to their plan and that we have only words to trust and no real log, but even with that, I enjoy the discussions)
Thanks in advance.