Everyone Responds Differently to Altitude Training
It’s an assumption that when you live at altitude, you should, and will, perform better at sea level.
That’s not always the case.
When I come down, I am lethargic, slow, my get up and go, has stayed at altitude.
It has always been that way.
Then, the studies show, that it takes about 14 days to acclimate:
Not me, it takes a year.
When I come down the only place I show speed, is the pool; running and biking. argh, can’t even fake it.
Then, the latest studies say, “Live High, Train Low”. That is to help folks like me, probably, so when you come down you’re fresh.
However, as pointed out in “Cutting-Edge Cycling; Advanced Training for Advanced Cyclists” by Hunter Allen and Stephen S. Cheung, PhD
“….the research group that first proposed and systematically investigated LHTH(Levine and Stray-Gundersen, 1997) also found that 40% of tested subjects did not respond at all to LHTL, regardless of various protocols implemented (Champman et al. 1998) Ultimately, even if scientific evidence clearly states a benefit, there is no guarantee that it will be beneficial for all people. ”
and they go on to clearly state the obvious,
“Nothing can replace an understanding of how your own body works and responds…”
I always, ALWAYS, recommend the “Fly in, Fly out approach” for racing at altitude.
I highly recommend staying the night before, if you can, at a lower altitude. For example in Leadville, I always recommend the KOA in Alamosa, CO. Then, heading to Leadville, race the next day, and THEN, do your site seeing after you race.
Sight seeing after your body realizes you just raced 100 miles at 10k-13k.
We have a 24-72 hour window, where our body assumes the adaptation to altitude. Take advantage of it.
Next week, I will be in Indianapolis. I can’t wait, the Annual American College of Sports Medicine Meeting.
Should be Schwanky.
I asked a couple of my fav’s if they’re going to be there, but bummer, no can do, I’m sure I will be rubbing elbows with a few of the elitist in my field. Or at least I hope so.
I totally love hanging out with smart people. It’s what makes me smarter.
I think, Hunter Allen said it best to me, “We get paid for access to our knowledge”.
So remember that, when you pay a coach. You don’t just pay for the workouts. If you do you’re missing out on a pleuthera of information. You’re paying for 1) The access to our wealth of information (if they don’t have it, you should think about getting one that does) 2) Data Interpretation.
If you don’t send me your data, that’s OK. But if you do, then, you know I am using the most up to date soft ware to interpret it, as well as my years of experience.
It’s a great place to be.
Winegar knocked of 43 minutes off his Half Growler. He said the course was faster running it in the opposite direction. Since training specifically with power, we continue to see huge improvements in time, and power, all on 5 hours a week.
I did some Dawn to Dusk the week before, that was fab. I did what I could until the Sulfur about blew me off the course. I still managed 4th place out of 9, and I only road for 7+hours. My last lap was a little slower, I could no longer hold a straight line.
You know me, safety first! I am always grateful Search and Rescue are there, but I plan on never needing them. 🙂
That is still on of my favorite courses! It’s hard, exposed and has some super fun fast open stuff too!
Next weekend Collette will be at Barn Burner, exciting and nerve wrecking.
I need a pool.
I will have one in Indy. I should probably see if there’s a lap pool downtown. Maybe even with Masters.
I have had a couple of Epic Bike Rides in Winona, MN. and an awesome ‘trail run’ and walk….
I climbed, Garvin, to get a profile for SSUSA,
which, I am still trying to figure out why I can’t plug my Garmin in to my Lap Top. At this point, it’s safe to say, when I am at my desk top.
Blackberry, that’s a bitch and long, but still only about a 1000 feet. No real dirt, cause it’s crazy rain, drizzle, wet.
I did sneak on Holzinger for some lower loop action, leave no trace, or tread.
The Wild Geraniums are blooming, there are some Columbine as well, and the Jack in the Pulpits are going to be plentiful this year, they are springing up as well.
One thing if for sure, I need my racing red lenses on my Rudy’s!
