Pfitzinger Marathon Training with VO₂ Max Testing

Pfitzinger's approach is based on several key principles:

• High Mileage Foundation: Build aerobic base with substantial weekly volume (55 to 100+ miles depending on plan)
• Lactate Threshold Work: LT tempo runs are the cornerstone. Improve your ability to sustain faster paces
• Marathon-Specific Workouts: Long runs with MP segments teach body to run goal pace while fatigued
• Periodization: Build volume first, add intensity, then taper. Structured 12 to 18 week cycles
• Variety: Mix of easy runs, tempos, intervals, and long runs prevents monotony and develops multiple systems

Each workout type has a specific physiological purpose. Training at correct intensities is crucial for the plan to work as designed.

After your VO₂ max test in Santa Cruz, we map your results to Pfitzinger's training zones:

• General Aerobic (GA) Runs:
  • • Pfitz description: "Comfortable pace" where you can hold conversation
  • • Physiological target: 60 to 75% of VO₂ max
  • • Testing provides: Your exact heart rate range (e.g., 125 to 145 bpm) and corresponding pace
  • • Purpose: Build aerobic base, increase mitochondrial density, improve fat oxidation
  • • Most weekly mileage is at GA pace
• Marathon Pace (MP) Runs:
  • • Pfitz description: Goal marathon race pace, "steady" effort
  • • Physiological target: 80 to 85% of VO₂ max
  • • Testing provides: Your true sustainable MP based on physiology, not just race calculator estimates
  • • Purpose: Practice goal pace, teach body to use fat at MP, build marathon-specific fitness
  • • Pfitz incorporates MP segments into medium-long and long runs
• Lactate Threshold (LT) Tempo Runs:
  • • Pfitz description: "Comfortably hard" for 20 to 40 minutes
  • • Physiological target: Your measured lactate threshold (typically 88 to 92% VO₂ max)
  • • Testing provides: Exact threshold heart rate and pace from your test
  • • Purpose: Improve lactate clearance, raise the ceiling on sustainable pace
  • • Most important workout type in Pfitz plans for marathon improvement
• VO₂ Max Intervals:
  • • Pfitz description: Hard 5K pace repeats (1000m, 1200m, mile)
  • • Physiological target: 95 to 100% of VO₂ max
  • • Testing provides: Exact pace targets for these intervals
  • • Purpose: Increase VO₂ max, improve running economy, develop speed
  • • Less frequent than tempos, but important for raising ceiling

The 18-week, 55-mile peak plan is Pfitzinger's most popular program for sub-3:30 to sub-4:00 marathoners.

Weekly Structure Includes:

• Medium-Long Runs (MLR): 10 to 15 miles at GA pace. Know exactly what "general aerobic pace" means for YOU with tested zones
• Long Runs with MP: 18 to 22 miles with 8 to 14 miles at MP. Hit precise marathon pace without going too fast or slow
• LT Tempo Runs: 5 to 8 miles with 3 to 5 miles at LT. Train at true threshold, not arbitrary heart rate from 220-age formula
• VO₂ Max Intervals: 6 to 8 × 1000m or 5 to 6 × 1200m at 5K pace. Nail these efforts with data-backed targets
• Recovery Runs: Easy 4 to 8 miles. Ensure these stay truly easy to facilitate recovery

With VO₂ max testing, every workout becomes optimally effective. You are not guessing or using someone else's zones.

For advanced marathoners targeting sub-3:00 (18/70) or elite times (18/85), precise zones are even more critical:

• Recovery is Paramount: At 70 to 85 miles per week, recovery run pace must be truly easy. Testing ensures you are not accumulating fatigue on easy days
• Quality Must Be Quality: With high weekly volume, hard workouts must be executed at correct intensity to produce adaptations. Too hard and you overtrain; too easy and you do not improve
• Prevent Overtraining: Accurate recovery zones help high-mileage runners avoid chronic fatigue and overtraining syndrome
• Track Fitness Changes: Through 18-week build, fitness improves. Retest at week 10 to 12 to adjust zones for final sharpening phase
• Marathon Pace Confidence: Know with certainty that your goal MP is sustainable. Reduces race day anxiety

Pfitzinger offers various plans for different time frames and distances:

• 12/47, 12/55, 12/70: Condensed 12-week plans for time-crunched runners or second marathon of season. Testing especially valuable with shorter build to ensure every workout counts
• "Faster Road Racing" 5K Plans: Precise VO₂ max interval pacing for 5K-specific training
• "Faster Road Racing" 10K Plans: Lactate threshold run targets for 10K training
• "Faster Road Racing" Half Marathon Plans: Accurate tempo and half-marathon pace guidance
• Multi-Peak Plans: For runners doing multiple marathons per year, retest between cycles to update zones

Mistakes runners make without testing:

• Running GA Too Fast: Most common error. Runners do GA runs at moderate intensity instead of easy, preventing recovery. Testing shows true easy pace
• LT Tempos at Wrong Pace: Running too fast (turns into VO₂ max workout) or too slow (insufficient stimulus). Testing nails threshold pace
• Marathon Pace Based on Hope: Choosing MP based on goal rather than current fitness. Testing reveals realistic MP
• Recovery Runs Too Fast: Not allowing true recovery between hard workouts. Zones keep recovery runs easy
• VO₂ Max Intervals Paced Poorly: Starting too fast and fading, or running too slow to stress system. Zones provide consistent targets

Timing recommendations:

• Before Starting Plan (Best): Test 1 to 2 weeks before beginning 18-week plan to establish all zones for entire cycle
• Mid-Cycle Retest (Optional): Around week 10 to 12, retest to verify fitness gains and adjust zones for final build and peak weeks
• Post-Marathon (Recovery): 4 to 6 weeks after marathon, test to establish fitness baseline before next cycle
• If Zones Feel Off: If workouts consistently feel too easy or too hard, mid-plan testing can recalibrate

Many serious Pfitz followers test twice per cycle-at start and around week 12-to optimize entire training block.

Week 12 of 18/55 Plan (Example):

• Monday: Recovery run 5 miles @ GA pace (HR 125-145)
• Tuesday: MLR 11 miles @ GA pace (HR 125-145)
• Wednesday: 10 miles with 5 miles @ LT pace (HR 165-170, 7:20/mile pace)
• Thursday: Recovery run 6 miles @ GA pace (HR 125-145)
• Friday: Rest or 4 miles very easy
• Saturday: 8 miles @ GA pace + 6 × 1000m @ VO₂ max pace (6:55/mile pace, 2:30 recovery jog)
• Sunday: Long run 20 miles: 13 miles @ GA pace, 5 miles @ MP (HR 155-160, 7:45/mile), 2 miles easy

Weekly Total: 64 miles with three quality sessions. Each workout intensity is data-driven and precise.

Your tested zones provide flexibility for conditions:

• Hot Weather: Use heart rate zones instead of pace. Pace will slow but physiological intensity stays correct
• Hilly Routes: Heart rate zones prevent overexertion on climbs
• Fatigue: If heart rate elevated at usual pace, indicates inadequate recovery
• Altitude: If training at altitude, heart rate zones guide appropriate pacing

Pete Pfitzinger (two-time Olympic marathoner, exercise physiologist) advocates for physiological testing in his books:

• Recommends finding lactate threshold through testing or time trial
• Emphasizes training at correct intensities, not arbitrary paces
• Notes that generic formulas (220-age) are inaccurate
• States VO₂ max testing is gold standard for establishing training zones

Common outcomes from runners combining Pfitzinger training with VO₂ max testing:

• Boston Qualifiers: Runners shaving 10 to 30 minutes off previous marathon times
• PR breakthroughs after years of plateaus
• Successful completion of first-time Pfitz plans without injury or burnout
• Confidence on race day knowing pacing strategy is physiologically sound

VO₂ Max Test: $250

What's Included:

• • 45 to 60 minute comprehensive cardiovascular assessment
• • Equipment choice: self-powered treadmill, bike, rower, or stair mill
• • VO₂ max value with age/gender comparison
• • VT1 (aerobic threshold) and VT2 (lactate threshold) identification
• • Five training zones with heart rate ranges
• • Pfitz-specific pace recommendations for GA, MP, LT, and VO₂ max efforts
• • Same-day results with detailed explanation
• • Email report to reference during training

Most runners test once before starting their Pfitzinger cycle. Serious athletes retest mid-plan and between marathon cycles to track fitness changes.

VO₂ Max Test: $250

Complete testing with Pfitzinger-specific training zones and pacing recommendations.

Fit Evaluations
311 Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Behind Hindquarter restaurant (second entrance off Dakota St.)

Phone: 831-400-9227
Email: info@fitevals.com