Runningmonkeys

The Pose Method of Running is designed to make me run faster.  Gradually it is achieving this.

The VDOT concept (by Jack Daniels) is  designed to compare running intensities.  It does this by allocating a number on a scale to a group of comparable finish times (over different distances). 

What happens when these two principles meet?

The best way to start out with the VDOT system is to use past race performances to gauge your current racing speed.  This gives you a VDOT value, that is then used to determine the best training speeds for any type of workout.  The system is great as it takes a lot of the guess work out of calculating training intensity.

The problem comes when you radically tamper with your running style.  This is what is happening with my journey into the Pose Method of Running.  Theoretically I will soon be running faster without increasing the physiological intensity of my running.  I will be running more efficiently, so for any speed, I will feel the intensity less.

As a result, my race times should decrease, and so my training speeds should increase.  But by how much?

The answer would be easy if I was in good form and had a race coming up soon to use as a time trial.  But I am not, and I do not.  So what do I do?

I have decided to go back to my bare base VDOT and subtract 5%.  This 5% is half pulled out of the air and half a reasonable guesstimate of where I should be.  I consider that I am at a level considerably higher than my bare base level.  On top of this I expect that I have notched up a part of the efficiency that I hope to gain already.  So I end up with a 5% change.  My method isn’t very scientific, but I think it will work.  I’ll give it a go for two weeks starting this coming week and see how I feel.

Has anyone else tried to do this sort of calculation after playing with their form?  Has anyone used the VDOT figures at the same time as The Pose Method of Running?  I’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below.

Thanks

Tom