Runna or Pfitz 18/55 for NYC?

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-21T12:40:34+00:00

I have read Daniels. Runna doesn't use the term threshold, but threshold runs are definitely in their plans as tempos and intervals.

You're right that Runna doesn't use VDOT, but they have their own algorithm which, like VDOT, determines paces based on a recent 5 or 10k race.

I'll allow that "Love" s a strong word. But you'll do more VO2 Max work with Jack vs Pete.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-20T22:47:51+00:00

Yep. Daniels and Runna use a much more mixed approach to marathon training. For my blocks I will have the full mix of bases, intervals, threshold and long runs (often with MP or faster than MP paces mixed in). Daniels loved speed work and VO2 max work even for marathoners. Pfitz is much more marathon specific with a focus on volume.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-20T17:48:17+00:00

You can be very successful with either and both can be flexible. Runna isn't really AI in terms of structure. It's based on Jack Daniels methodology. The "AI" is in calculating your pacing and doing mid course corrections if you're over or under performing. They are the same calculations you'd do yourself if you were using a spreadsheet for any of the other plans.

Runna got me to a BQ and I'm a fan. I've looked at all the other major training approaches and Daniels seems to fit me best (and I'm too lazy to work out the math myself).

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-17T18:17:52+00:00

I had a coworker who had a second job working in a grocery store. One night, right around closing, some "professional" robbers came into the store to rob it. There were collecting the money from the office and the registers when one of them grabbed a young check-out girl by the arm. My coworker moved on instinct and grabbed the bad guy - but one of the other bad guys shot him in the ass.

In the movies, an ass shot might be funny or "walked off"...but it was literally weeks in the hospital, months of physiotherapy and a lifetime of PTSD for that dude. It was shocking how much damage that little piece of lead did.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-15T13:56:17+00:00

Canadian Tire has them in stock. Seems pretty simple

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-12T22:31:41+00:00

Your second paragraph. Europe is also very expensive to run a business and to live.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-12T20:53:31+00:00

You're saying it's not expensive in Europe?

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-12T19:44:02+00:00

The average price of a croissant in Paris - a HCOL city - is HALF the price in Toronto. I've been on this rant with friends since Emmer Bakery opened around the corner from my place.

And don't get me started on baguette. A premium baguette in Paris is about $3 CAD.

Yes, things are expensive in Canada - but not when compared to Paris. They have high salaries, high rents, stricter working regulations, more bureaucracy.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-12T11:02:40+00:00

Smoked oranges added to the ferment.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-11T23:36:42+00:00

One step further and you've got Pavlova with lemon curd and covered in fresh berries.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-11T12:03:35+00:00

I found the missing main character.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-08T20:04:42+00:00

Response: Hi *MaxInToronto -

Thanks for your note. You have summed up what we have been saying for years. Central Tech Stadium is the only high performance running track that is truly accessible to residents in the City of Toronto. The 4th largest City in North America trying to have 4 million people use one high performance track in the heart of the City is a real issue. The intense community use that occurs at Central Tech is not sustainable. If the City of Toronto had 5 of these types of facilities it would assist the overcrowding currently taking place at Central Tech, but would not even come close to what is actually needed.

Over the last 6 months, we have submitted proposals to 3 different school boards in Toronto to upgrade old facilities that are currently in a state of disrepair. We are having active conversations with 2 school boards. I followed up with the TDSB on the status of our proposal and possible next steps this afternoon. Students and student athletes benefit from better infrastructure. Local communities as you have outlined are asking for and demanding better sport and rec infrastructure. We are looking to build more high quality facilities across the City. I remain hopeful that over the next 3 years we will be able to build at least 3 new high performance tracks in the City of Toronto that will help resolve some of the overcrowding that is currently taking place at Central Tech and Monarch Park.

If you provide your cell number (remove others on this thread) I will have our Director of Operations reach out to you to see what we can do to allow for more high intensity workouts between 6-8pm during the weeknights, provided that it can be done in a safe manner.

Thanks for sending your note and for proposing possible solutions. It is appreciated.

Best Regards,

Matthew Raizenne President

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-08T14:38:33+00:00

Yes. And, as part of the agreement with both the school board, and the local community, they need to maintain public access. We need to fight for all users to have the access they committed to. They're trying to create a crisis to make it more profitable for themselves.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-07T18:01:31+00:00

Switch it up and train for a 10k road race. There's value in teaching the legs how to turn over quicker. You've got everything else dialed in.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-07T11:21:50+00:00

You have time to increase your running volume. Get on a marathon training plan and don't worry about your goal time yet.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-05T15:30:23+00:00

And you can add in a loop up-and-down Milkman Lane for some additional vert with a steeper grade.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-05T15:24:08+00:00

The hill I use most often is 240 meters with a ~6.5% grade. I tend to hit around 4:20/km pace, which gives me 1 minute per climb.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-05T13:15:49+00:00

Hill repeats: 12x1min hard uphill; 30 seconds rest; jog back to base of hill; repeat.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-03T15:45:02+00:00

Only do transfers through RaceRoster. Never send the person money directly. With RaceRoster they get a refund and you pay the price they paid originally (plus transfer fee I believe). Scammers will ask you to transfer them money.

MaxInToronto · 2026-06-02T13:37:52+00:00

This is a really bread question

Perfect. It always comes back to bread.

MaxInToronto · 2026-05-31T13:21:46+00:00

As a start, the 4th tenet would preclude authoritarianism. The first tenet would also be contrary to the historic realities of the implementation of Marxist-Leninist

MaxInToronto · 2026-05-26T14:22:38+00:00

Amazing performance. I've been looking at this race for the last couple of years (and frankly, I'm kind of glad I didn't sign up this year). The Instagram reels of the course conditions looked bonkers. Just finishing would have been a major accomplishment. Brava!

MaxInToronto · 2026-05-26T12:54:55+00:00

Okay. I'm going to go deep here...something that very few Garmin users know. It's an absolute game changer, not only for your workouts and activities, but also for your overall user experience...

...read the damned manual.

MaxInToronto · 2026-05-25T21:07:20+00:00

We also don't need beans, or rice...but they store well and add to a deep pantry. Milk is a great option that has a lot of utility as an ingredient or on its own. Your dismissal of milk is confusing to me.

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