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Daniels Training-Pace Calculator

Enter a recent race result and get your Easy, Marathon, Threshold, Interval and Repetition training paces per km and per mile, using the Daniels VDOT model.

A training guide based on the Daniels VDOT model, not medical advice.

About this tool

The Daniels Training-Pace Calculator converts a recent race result into the five running training paces from Jack Daniels' Running Formula: Easy (E), Marathon (M), Threshold (T), Interval (I) and Repetition (R). It first derives your VDOT — a VO₂max-style fitness number — then scales it to each training zone. It runs entirely in your browser.

VDOT comes from the race distance D (metres) and time t (minutes): velocity v = D ÷ t; VO₂ = −4.60 + 0.182258·v + 0.000104·v²; and the fraction of VO₂max sustained for that duration is %VO₂max = 0.8 + 0.1894393·e^(−0.012778·t) + 0.2989558·e^(−0.1932605·t). VDOT is VO₂ ÷ %VO₂max. Each zone then targets a fixed fraction of VDOT — E ≈ 0.70, M ≈ 0.84, T ≈ 0.88, I ≈ 0.98, R ≈ 1.05 — and the VO₂-to-velocity quadratic is inverted to get the pace.

The results give minutes:seconds per kilometre and per mile for every zone, so you can build workouts straight from one recent race. Easy runs build aerobic base, Marathon pace is race-specific endurance, Threshold sharpens lactate clearance, Interval develops VO₂max, and Repetition trains speed and economy. This is a training guide, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is VDOT?
VDOT is Jack Daniels' single-number measure of running fitness, derived from a race performance. It behaves like a VO₂max but is computed from how fast you actually raced, then used to prescribe training paces and predict other race times.
Which paces does it output?
The five Daniels zones: Easy (about 0.70 of VDOT), Marathon (0.84), Threshold (0.88), Interval (0.98) and Repetition (1.05). Each is shown as minutes:seconds per kilometre and per mile.
How accurate are the paces?
They are as good as the race you enter — use a recent, all-out result on a fair course. The formulas are Daniels and Gilbert's published equations, but individual physiology, terrain and weather mean you should treat the paces as guidance.
How is this different from a race-time predictor?
This tool focuses on training paces for daily workouts. It uses the same VDOT engine as an equivalent-time predictor, but instead of forecasting races it scales VDOT down to the Easy through Repetition training zones.

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