Jack M. wrote:
[H]e suggests using your best time at your best distance to designate your VDOT.
I don't think you are right about this, but otherwise agree with everything you said about Daniels. I think Daniels would suggest that if you are uncertain about your fitness, start at a (s)lower VDOT and adjust after racing. Well, he would probably actually suggest a time trial or a race, but in the absence of the opportunity to do that, choose a VDOT that is on the slow side of your range and go from there.
And don't let dsrunner discourage you from using a Daniels style approach. It has worked well for plenty of people on these boards, has worked well for me, and has worked well for athletes that I have coached (across a wide range of ability levels). Those who tend to harp on the "formulaic" approach tend to be those who have not spent as much time reading the actual text of the book as they should. In fact, I would say that a significant portion of the better coaches out there still apply the basic tenets of a Daniels style approach to training (although that is admittedly my gut talking - I could be absolutely wrong about that, and it isn't necessary that it be correct for my point to stand).