VDOT - Your VO2max, Predicting Performances, and "Coach Mike-Speak"

By using standard values for running economy and by having a timed performance over at least one running distance, a fitness ("VDOT") value can be assigned to you for training and race-prediction purposes. To use the VDOT Table, look up a time associated with a distance you have recently run and read across to the column headed by "VDOT". VDOT is an adjusted V02max (which may or may not match a laboratory-generated V02max), which can predict performances for other distances (in the row, associated with the same VDOT), and recommends paces for different types of training.

When using a race performance to predict a performance for another, yet-to-be-run distance, use a performance run under similar conditions (terrain, wind, temperature and altitude). A longer race (15K to 25K, for example) will usually be a better marathon predictor than a 1-mile or 5K.

To use VDOT to determine training intensities, plug the identified VDOT from the first table into the table below and read across that row to identify paces:

Easy/Long (E/L) runs = Sunday morning or social run
Marathon Pace (MP) training = Half-marathon-to-marathon-pace
Threshold (T) runs = "fresh"
Interval (I)  = "good build-up"
Repetition (R) = "good"

Don't try to beat the assigned training intensities.  Some training plans call for a 5K test race at frequent intervals; to train faster, justify a higher VDOT by performing better in that test race situation.