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training in higher altitudes
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 2009-07-01 6:01 PM |
 1 |  Subject: training in higher altitudesHey y'all! I'm a beginner- doing a sprint triathlon the 2nd week of August. Our annual family vacation falls 2 weeks before that, and we're headed to the mountains of north Georgia. I live in Chicago, so that's a pretty significant elevation change. Should I continue my training as planned, or are there some changes I should make based on the altitude...and many, many more hills? Thanks! |
| 2009-07-01 6:18 PM in reply to: #2257007 |
Expert 2180    Boise, Idaho | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes Are there 'real' mountains in Georgia?  Seriously, don't worry about it, you'll be fine. If you DO see any after effects, they'll be in your favor; lower altitude=more O2 |
| 2009-07-01 6:24 PM in reply to: #2257007 |
Veteran 145 Boulder | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes Yes there are some "real mountains" in Georgia, good for a tough climbing ride, but nothing compared to the likes of say Colorado. The most you will see is a couple thousand feet of climbing, but I seriously doubt to the point where you would feel the effects of the altitude =) |
| 2009-07-01 7:35 PM in reply to: #2257007 |
| 244 | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes I have no idea how high it gets in GA, but 2 things if it is a big altitude change for you. 1) Keep hydrated, drink a bit more than usual 2) Let your body guide you. When I first moved to Colorado, if I had a 8 mile run planned but was wiped at mile 3-4...I'd call it a day. You'll know. |
| 2009-07-01 9:00 PM in reply to: #2257042 |
Expert 1123 Falls Church, VA | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes PerpetualEndurance - 2009-07-01 7:24 PM Yes there are some "real mountains" in Georgia, good for a tough climbing ride, but nothing compared to the likes of say Colorado. The most you will see is a couple thousand feet of climbing, but I seriously doubt to the point where you would feel the effects of the altitude =) up near the NC/Tennessee border. My grandparents used to have a summer place in Hiawassee. But I also agree that one won't really feel the effects there. |
| 2009-07-02 11:57 AM in reply to: #2257007 |
Extreme Veteran 745 Colo Springs, CO | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes From my googling, it looks like the highest mountain peaks in GA are 4600-4700'. I think there will be minimal altitude issues. Just enjoy climbing some hills! |
| 2009-07-02 12:06 PM in reply to: #2257007 |
| , Arizona | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes If the altitude is 4-5k feet you should be ok, just make sure to keep hydrated. I live at 7,000 feet and we have a mountain that goes to 12k, but there isn't a huge benifit to climbing it (other than working on climbing). Really... the best thing to do is train at LOWER altitude and live at high altitude. It's difficult to train at the same intensity as you would at a lower altitude, but living at high altitude gives you that nice high red blood cell count. |
| 2009-07-02 12:16 PM in reply to: #2258550 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes Synon - 2009-07-02 10:06 AM If the altitude is 4-5k feet you should be ok, just make sure to keep hydrated. I live at 7,000 feet and we have a mountain that goes to 12k, but there isn't a huge benifit to climbing it (other than working on climbing). Really... the best thing to do is train at LOWER altitude and live at high altitude. It's difficult to train at the same intensity as you would at a lower altitude, but living at high altitude gives you that nice high red blood cell count. Uhm...no, not really.  You're right on the RBC adaptations, but it's easy to train at the same intensity you would if you lived at a lower altitude.John |
| 2009-07-02 12:34 PM in reply to: #2258578 |
| , Arizona | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes tkd.teacher - 2009-07-02 10:16 AM Synon - 2009-07-02 10:06 AM If the altitude is 4-5k feet you should be ok, just make sure to keep hydrated. I live at 7,000 feet and we have a mountain that goes to 12k, but there isn't a huge benifit to climbing it (other than working on climbing). Really... the best thing to do is train at LOWER altitude and live at high altitude. It's difficult to train at the same intensity as you would at a lower altitude, but living at high altitude gives you that nice high red blood cell count. Uhm...no, not really. You're right on the RBC adaptations, but it's easy to train at the same intensity you would if you lived at a lower altitude.John *shrug* I guess personally I find it's easier to breath at lower altitude so I can push my muscles harder instead of being limited by my lungs. |
| 2009-07-02 12:59 PM in reply to: #2257007 |
Extreme Veteran 657 | Subject: RE: training in higher altitudes I saw this route in northern Georgia that looks like a pretty good climb.  Here's another view from Google earth.  So it does look like indeed there are Mountains in Georgia with some pretty gnarley climbs. I live at 3600 feet. The altitude does play a minor role. For running the perceived level of exertion is higher but the actual drop in speed is maybe 10 sec a mile at most. For cycling there does not seem to be any difference at all. I've read different sources. One source said the measurable change in performance can occur as low as 1500 feet. There is a canyon near us that is at an elevation of 2600 feet at the bottom. Athletic performance at that level appears to be equal that of sea level at least for me. I'm sure it's a little different for everyone. For me the "change" seems to happen somewhere around 3200 feet or so. One other source I read said that your brain picks up on the lower oxygen content in your blood and adjusts down muscle recruitment and cardiac output. Part of the reason they say to live at altitude and train at sea level. I wouldn't worry so much about the air as the steepness of some of these climbs. |
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