We're proud that our coaching platform, VDOT O2, helps runners of all abilities in pursuit of their full potential. We'd like to take a moment to highlight athletes that are using it at the highest level in this tribute video. Congratulations to the more than 45 runners who have qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic [...]
By Dr. Jack Daniels @dreambigrunner [Editor's note: Many runners training for the Boston Marathon are faced with challenging conditions in the winter so they either embrace the treadmill or only use it when they really have to. Another challenge for some Boston qualifiers is the ability to mimic the course terrain in training or find [...]
By Dr. Jack Daniels @aperturebysd Step Count Workout Start with about 10 minutes of easy running, a few strides and some stretching, and then proceed as follows: Counting each right foot landing as one step, run hard (H) for 10 steps (about as hard as you would run in a race lasting about 10-12 minutes). [...]
[Editor's Note: Thanks to Coach Jim Partridge for submitting a question for Jack. Q: "In early marathon training, like 5 months before, which is better to focus on? VO2Max or Lactate Threshold work? (assuming ~50mpw volume mostly easy miles)."] Credit: @bibwearingdad By Dr. Jack Daniels The answer to this depends on what running has been [...]
(Photo: Renée Haip) Editor's Note: We received an email from a high school coach whose team trains/races at 2,570 ft but has to go to 4,650 ft for their State meet. High School Coach: I have not been able to find anything reputable that suggests little change in elevation (roughly 2,100 feet) makes any kind [...]
Question: How would a sea level runner approach the Colorado Marathon, which starts at 6100 feet and finishes at 4980 feet. Here’s the course profile.
We received a great question regarding how to best manage training/racing between cross country and outdoor track season. Coach Clegg: As a high school cross country coach, I would love to get some ideas how how to best bridge the gap between fall XC and spring track. My state (IL) has a number of off season [...]
By Dr. Jack Daniels 180 Steps Per Minute When I am teaching a new group of runners the first thing I have them do is count their stride frequencies while running around the track. I can’t remember ever having one of these beginners who turned over as fast as 180 steps per minute. However, when […]
By Dr. Jack Daniels Having lived in 16 states and several foreign countries along with my years of competing in three World Championships, two Olympics, and visiting 30 foreign countries, I’ve come up with five ingredients of success. A lot of my opinions are based upon over 50-years of coaching Olympians, collegians and individuals of […]
By Dr. Jack Daniels I strongly believe that breathing rhythm for runners is closely associated with stride rate, and this association is not exclusive to runners. In fact, in some sports the act of breathing is determined very clearly by the rate at which the legs and/or arms are moving. Take the example of swimmers; […]