Altitude and performance

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Altitude and performance Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-04-24 12:51 AM

User image

Regular
90
252525
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Subject: Altitude and performance
i want to do a half marathon this summer but there is not any around until December. The only ones I found around would be 1000 feet higher that where I live(4000ft).My question is, is this such a difference that is going to cause a big drop in my fitness? It would be my first half so finishing under two hours is all that I am looking for.Most of the articles I found about the subject talk about training in higher altitude that where you are going to compete, but nothing in the other way around, I know is going to be harder, just wandering if it is feasible/reasonable . Thanks for your time.

2012-04-24 2:31 AM
in reply to: #4168833


798
500100100252525
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance
You'll be fine, especially since you already live at a decent altitude. 
2012-04-24 5:54 AM
in reply to: #4168833

User image

Elite
3140
2000100010025
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance
It takes about 2 weeks for the average person to acclimate to up to 7500 feet. But that is the average person, not you. If you live at 4000 and going to 5000 , I am sure it won't be a big deal. If that race venue is close by why don't you train there a little before the race...good luck
2012-04-24 9:03 AM
in reply to: #4168833

User image

Extreme Veteran
1001
1000
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance
Going from 4000 feet to 5000 feet won't be much of a difference.  The change in elevation of 1000 feet isn't that much, I live at 6000 feet and race at 7000 feet several times a year without being affected by the change in elevation.  If you lived at sea level it would be a different story.
2012-04-24 10:53 AM
in reply to: #4168833

User image

Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance

Agree with others, going from 4,000 to 5,000 feet not a big difference, barometric pressure goes from 26" Hg to 25" Hg.  The bigger jump is from sea level 30" Hg to say 5,000 ft which is a bigger change in barometric pressure (4" Hg difference).

More oxygen molecules the lower you go.

Would be fun to run in death valley on a cool day, lots of oxygen below sea level right?

2012-04-24 11:09 AM
in reply to: #4168833

User image

Member
28
25
Los Angeles
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance
I don't have any advice for you since I live at sea level. But I just ran the Baker to Vegas relay and my leg was only 5.8 miles. I thought it would be so easy. I couldn't catch my breath at all nor could I take a deep breath. My run suffered majorly and it was at 2600 elevation. Props to you guys who run in high elevation.

2012-04-24 11:17 AM
in reply to: #4169265

Master
5557
50005002525
, California
Subject: RE: Altitude and performance

rick4657 - 2012-04-24 7:03 AM Going from 4000 feet to 5000 feet won't be much of a difference.  The change in elevation of 1000 feet isn't that much, I live at 6000 feet and race at 7000 feet several times a year without being affected by the change in elevation.  If you lived at sea level it would be a different story.

I sometimes gain more elevation than that in a single ride   It won't bother you.

I've lived at sea level most of my life and the one time I noticed a difference was flying into Denver and going jogging with some friends.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Altitude and performance Rss Feed