training for high altitude race? (only vaguely barefoot related)

[stomper]

This isn't really a barefoot-specific question. Several races I'm planning on doing this summer are at high altitude (5000-8000ft). For example this one: http://www.youtube.com/xdefilm#p/u/14/uaUjAfKAqbQ .

Presumably the air is thinner and it's easier to fatigue there. How can I train for that stress when I live at 500-1000 ft?

 

[Abide]

From all the things I have

From all the things I have read, training doesn't matter, it's where you sleep. Probably a function of increasing your red blood cell count and capacity to hold oxygen.

Honestly though I don't really feel the effects of elevation until I get above 8,500 ft. Running at 11,000 ft sucks.

 

[footloose2]

Difficult problem!I have no

Difficult problem!

I have no experience of altitude running but have barefoot hiked at altitude many times. I can feel it when I walk above 6000ft. I expect the difference would be more noticeable when running. I think there is no substitute for altitude training appart from a low pressure specialist facility. That is why athletes train high if they will be competing at altitude.

 

[stomper]

yeah, me too footloose2...

yeah, me too footloose2... hiking i start to feel it at 6000 or 7000 feet, a little dizziness and loss of judgment. Of course it could just be fatigue, because normally in my area getting to that elevation means I've hiked several thousand vertical feet. But there is something special about the poor decisions I've occasionally made above 6500 or so. They're not my USUAL poor decisions.

On a totally separate note, I'd recommend the video I linked to above. It captures a lot of what I like about trail racing. The song is a little somber, but all in all the piece captures the camaraderie and silence I feel in races like that.

 

[Paleo]

I am in a similar situation. 

I am in a similar situation. I live at 200ft., but I will be climbing the Grand Teton (13770ft.) in Wyoming with my brother in July. To get acclimated, I have only 10 days beforehand at altitudes of 4500-7000ft.

The standard wisdom is that you need 4 weeks to get fully used to a new altitude.

As far as the race itself, you should reconcile yourself to a slower pace. More water than usual is about the only thing you can do to mitigate the symptoms. But, don't go overboard. Hyponatremia has killed and hurt way more runners than dehydration.

There's another little trick called autological blood transfusion, but the race organizers might not be too keen on that one.

Cheers

Paleo

 

[paraganek]

Stomper, you could try

Stomper, you could try this:

One of the best ways to prepare for higher altitudes is to try the hypoxic swim workout. Hypoxic swims mean - "low oxygen swimming". Basically you are asking your body to work harder with less oxygen by not breathing as often as you normally would. This is tough training and should be done with a buddy or lifeguard just in case you push yourself too hard and black out.

Read more here

Or, we can get together and drive to Timberline Lodge (6000') and run uphill along the ski lift a couple of times.

 

[migangelo]

you guys have fun with that.

you guys have fun with that. not ready to push myself that hard, yet.



mike

 

[EricsLearning]

You can also run and just

You can also run and just breath through your nose. I get less air through my nose as its almost always partially blocked. This forces me to run with less O2. I find it easier to try this by taking a drink and holding it in my mouth for a 100 feet or so.

 

[stomper]

paraganek wrote:Hypoxic swims

Hypoxic swims mean - "low oxygen swimming".... This is tough training and should be done with a buddy or lifeguard just in case you push yourself too hard and black out.

Wow, that's serious. I wonder if something like that is relevant to a decidedly middle of the pack (late middle of the pack?) runner like me. Or maybe it'd be better for someone like me than anybody?

Or, we can get together and drive to Timberline Lodge (6000') and run uphill along the ski lift a couple of times.

Yeah, that'd be fun, though for me I think the "run" will quickly turn into a "stumble." Basically that's where the race is going to be on July 31st. I was wondering if doing it once or twice would be enough to make a difference. As it gets warmer let's talk about it.

 

[Barefoot Mary]

I've no idea about training,

I've no idea about training, but I can tell you the symptoms first hand. I moved from Michigan to Colorado last year from sea level to 5500+ feet. Breathing is harder, the air is dryer and you get sunburn easier because the atmosphere is thin & you're closer to the sun. Wear sunscreen and bring some lotion/petrolium jelly. Bloody noses happen up here. It takes 2 weeks to acclimate but if you could get to the race location a few days early your body might have time to produce some extra blood cells.

That's all I got!

Looks like a rockin race, have fun!!