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2015-07-29 11:09 AM


439
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nashville, Tennessee
Subject: Altitude
Training in southeast for IM Boulder. How much impact would you think altitude would have on performance?


2015-07-29 11:48 AM
in reply to: mchadcota2

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Subject: RE: Altitude
I'm from Southeast GA. My wife and I did some training in Boulder last year. I didn't have any problems with the altitude, while my wife got headaches, and noticed a big difference in performance on the bike(negative). I guess it depends on the individual.
2015-07-29 12:41 PM
in reply to: mchadcota2

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Exton, PA
Subject: RE: Altitude
Originally posted by mchadcota2

Training in southeast for IM Boulder. How much impact would you think altitude would have on performance?


As a long time skier on the East coast I know what can happen when you go to the rockies and engage in athletic activities.

You should try to get to altitude about 5 days before your event, this will give your body a chance to produce extra red blood cell it needs at altitude. I think that 2 weeks is actually suggested but who has time fore that.

Altitude effects can effect people differently. For me it just reduces my performance. If your prone to headaches or migraines expect to get one. I have also seen some very bad reactions to altitude but that was at elevation of 9,000 to 10,000 ft.
2015-07-29 12:44 PM
in reply to: mchadcota2

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Pueblo, Colorado
Subject: RE: Altitude
Would be hard to quantify. As jheathjr noted, everyone reacts differently to altitude. Some may notice a big impact, others not as much. Hopefully you'll be in Boulder in the next day or two (I'm heading up there tomorrow, My first IM! You might try a mile or two at race pace and see how it makes you feel. That will give you some idea of what to expect. Best of luck!!
2015-07-29 1:00 PM
in reply to: #5131782


439
10010010010025
nashville, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Altitude
Great! Thanks for the advice!
2015-07-29 1:41 PM
in reply to: mchadcota2

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Subject: RE: Altitude

Get a Training Mask!



2015-07-29 3:09 PM
in reply to: #5131823

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Subject: RE: Altitude
I notice the biggest altitude adjustment on the swim. Feels like sucking air through a straw. Usually by 400m or so I have adjusted- but it can feel weird at first. (Although this is going from 5k ft to 9k ft.)

Good luck!
2015-07-29 4:10 PM
in reply to: #5131876


439
10010010010025
nashville, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Altitude
So full IM usually takes me bout 4-5 hrs so maybe I'm lookin at closer to 6?
2015-07-29 6:16 PM
in reply to: mchadcota2

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Scottsdale, AZ
Subject: RE: Altitude
I've trained at almost 10,000ft in Colorado - and at 7,000ft in Flagstaff, AZ. I ALWAYS notice it in the swim. Biggest advice for you is to go out slower than you normally would to get your breathing under control. A friend that competes regularly at altitude says that she does the fingertip drag drill the first 300-400m of the swim, just to slow herself down.

Also, when you start the run, you will be more out of breath than normal. Take a few moments and get that under control.

I always find that I get bad headaches the 2-3 day I'm there, then really dizzy. By the 4th day I'm ok. Everyone is different. Just know you will feel different, acknowledge it, accept it and enjoy the race! Good luck!
2015-07-29 6:20 PM
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Eugene, Oregon
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Subject: RE: Altitude
Full IM in 4-5 hours?? You're superman and should feel no effects LOL. Assume you mean HIM. At any rate, the most likely effect is a slowing of pace compared to that at the same HR or RPE at sea level. It's more dramatic for some people than others. For me the effect would be more noticeable in a shorter, faster event; less so in a longer, more aerobic one. As others have said, you'll probably really notice it on the swim as breathing for many people is kind of "hard-wired". You may need to consciously adjust your breathing pattern--for example, breathing every 2 instead of every 3-4 strokes, or take some "breathers" doing breaststroke if you find yourself really short of breath. Also, try to avoid going out too fast on any of the legs of the race as you will really pay the price. You'll probably also need more fluids than at sea level in similar temps--high altitude air tends to be drier.

Qualifier--haven't raced a tri at altitude but have done plenty of training at about 9,000 feet, and done (and won) several high-altitude marathons and HM.

Edited by Hot Runner 2015-07-29 6:24 PM
2015-07-31 12:38 AM
in reply to: #5131782


439
10010010010025
nashville, Tennessee
Subject: RE: Altitude
Haha! Kidding about the 4-5 hrs. Just wanted to see reactions??


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