Explaining: Why Vo2 Max Is Overrated

Most runners are told that VO2 Max is the ultimate predictor of performance. But a recent meta-analysis led by Dominique Hansen challenges that idea and the results potentially flip traditional run training advice on its head.Today I wanted to take a deeper look at what this research actually means for your training, and why focusing on threshold and not VO2 max, is what actually drives real performance on race day. The study looked at how athletes respond to different training prescriptions and found that threshold-based training consistently outperformed percentage-based models built around heart rate and VO2 max.If you’re training for a marathon, chasing a Boston Qualifier, or trying to improve your running performance, this is a shift in thinking that can change how you train for the next 5–10 years, not just your next race.Study referenced in this video: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40613962/⸻Relevant Links🚨TAKE THE MARATHON READINESS QUIZ NOW🚨https://marathon-readiness-quiz.scoreapp.comGet coached by Brant Stachel: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/brant-stachel-kingston-ontario-running-coach/Mental Performance Coaching with Brant Stachel: https://calendly.com/cepadminteam/15-minute-intake-call-clone?month=2026-01Get my Book, Fast and Free!https://a.co/d/00twBZ6dLearn More about Team RunRun: https://teamrunrun.com/Fuel your training: https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant⸻Follow Fast & Free Coachinghttp://instagram.com/fastandfreecoachinghttp://youtube.com/FastandFreeCoachinghttps://www.tiktok.com/@brantstachelWebsite: http://runfastandfree.com⸻Listen to the Fast and Free Podcast on Your Favourite Podcast Platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jI6TBvBPYihSf9FhQFZAvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fast-and-free-podcast/id1867807916