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Post by pigman22 on Nov 10, 2009 23:35:36 GMT -5
Anyone have any pointers about how to prepare for altitude racing? (~6000+) because basically every time I race at heights I get screwed over and I don't really get the issue. The last time I did I ran a 1:25 half marathon and two weeks later did 2:25 accompanied by throwing up, dry heaving, headaches, cramps, and all that fun stuff. If anyone has somethin please let me know!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2009 11:01:54 GMT -5
Hmmm. Maybe someone with more knowledge than I will think differently, but it sounds like your issues are symptomatic of hydration issues rather than altitude. Altitude itself can contribute to fluid intake issues but a lot of high altitude races also combine a much dryer climate.
That said, I also understand that everyone has their own special way of experiencing altitude problems.
As to training, I read recently that a distant second to actually training at high altitude, is to train in humid heat.
Another tip I've heard often repeated is that to get acclimatized for the race you need to arrive 1 day for every 1,000 feet of the difference in your training elevation to race elevation. Nice idea if you have the time.
I ran Leadville (or, rather, 84 miles of Leadville) this summer. I arrived in Denver 2 days before the race and got up to Leadville about 18 hours before start time to check in. I experienced mild dizziness continuously whenever I hit about 10,000 ft elevation. It dissipated quickly when I got back down under that threshold. That was my only symptom. I can't say whether growing up at altitude helped or I'm genetically blessed but whatever it was, it wasn't enough to get me to the finish line.
Way to literally gut it out and finish, though. That, in and of itself, should be a matter of pride in my book.
Kevin (who trudged out 20 mile runs at 18, no that's not a typo, 18 minute pace in near 100 degree temps this summer to prepare for my "learning experience.")
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Post by redbullapril23 on Nov 17, 2009 10:05:40 GMT -5
ive had altitude sickness like that before.... but not running... ive never run at altitude. only snowboarded.... poor mans altitude faker.... breathe through a straw for 15-20 mins a day. or you can buy one of these kinds of devices.... if you have the $ to spend www.pharmapacific.com/
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Post by johnmnichols on Nov 17, 2009 10:51:29 GMT -5
It's hard to imagine that altitude alone contributed to your issues and large discrepancy in race times -- especially at only 6-8k feet. Like it was already suggested, dehydration, or maybe just a bad racing day, probably contributed to the issue.
There have been a lot of studies about lowlanders traveling to elevation for races. It seems the general consensus is to either be at the race elevation 1+ weeks in advance of the race or arrive within 24 hours of the race. The bodies worst reaction to altitude tends to be days 2-5 after arriving.
Keep in mind too that even without altitude sickness issues, you still will not be able to run a high elevation course as fast as you would on a comparable course at low elevation. You need to scale back pace and expectations accordingly, otherwise you'll dig a hole for yourself and the altitude will get you.
Good luck!
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