Altitude racing
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659 days
KitKat posted 20 weeks ago.
I think from what I read it takes 10-12 days to acclimate to altitude. I train at sea level and just did a race at 4,000ft and climbed up to 6,400 ft. I noticed breathing difficulties during the transition from the swim to bike (HR is always high here) climbing on the bike, and the initial start of the run. All I can say is good luck....oh and Pilates breathing techniques helped me regulate my HR and get my oxygen flow under control.
7
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148 days
breezy posted 20 weeks ago.
Drink LOTS of water when you first get to up to altitude. A lot of people experience headaches when they first get here that can make training difficult. Definitely get in some strong runs and rides to acclimate your body to breathing in the thin air.
I do all my training (and races in/around Denver) so I'm used to the altitude, but my body definitely adjusts to breathing at sea level much faster than breathing at altitude. It sometimes takes up to 3 - 5 days for my body to get used to the altitude if I spend a week or more at sea level. Lots of water and deep breathing techniques do help me.
622
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553 days
Iron Dan posted 20 weeks ago.
I live and train almost entirely at sea level and all of the long course races I have done have been at an altitude of ~4,000 feet or higher. I didn't really notice a difference at any of the races and got there only a day or two before. I know it does cause a difference, but I think a majority of the difference is phsycological. If you get to the race expecting to struggle, you most likely will. Both time I have raced at this elevation, the first time I thought about it was after the race was over and I was wondering why I was having a tough time catching my breath.
1
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190 days
MikeyGolden posted 20 weeks ago.
I grew up at altitude and was a snowboard instructor when I was younger and saw a lot of altitude sickness. We used to tell people that got headaches to drink water and take motrin. For some reason Motrin worked better than anything else. Some peoples bodies are just more susceptible to altitude sickness.
1764
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1394 days
brittda posted 20 weeks ago.
KitKat wrote:
I think from what I read it takes 10-12 days to acclimate to altitude. I train at sea level and just did a race at 4,000ft and climbed up to 6,400 ft. I noticed breathing difficulties during the transition from the swim to bike (HR is always high here) climbing on the bike, and the initial start of the run. All I can say is good luck....oh and Pilates breathing techniques helped me regulate my HR and get my oxygen flow under control.
+1 good luck. KitKat and I did the same race and I too had a hard time on the swim /bike transiton but also for most of the run (I train at sea level as well) I don't climb as well as I should any way on the bike so that part was not so fun either.
Elevation affects everyone differently so you may have no problems.
5
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584 days
flyntri posted 19 weeks ago.
Ok, thanks for the great input! I will expect to do well, drink a lot, pay attention to breathing and do some good workout when I get there! I'll be racing in Boulder and usually the headaches start at 8,000+ on the elevation but I will remember the Motrin!
Hey all,
Any tips for racing at altitude 5400ft. and living and training at sea level. I will be taking 4 days to drive up to the race and a week there before the race (1/2IM). Or is it futile to look for something to ease the handicap?
Thanks