So I live in Maryland( elevation of 100 feet). My coach has told us he is planning to travel to Colorado(6000 feet elevation) for a relay meet next XC season, and its not like we will be staying there more than 2 days. How much of an effect would this have on my running?
Very little. Don't sweat it.
well you are going to be a lot closer to the sun so dress appropriately.
Watch Fam's movie Run Reckless it shows him training at altitude. www.recklessrunning.com
"relay meet" in XC?
you said what wrote:
"relay meet" in XC?
Ekiden, brother. We have em all the time in Georgia.
you said what wrote:
"relay meet" in XC?
We actually did a 4 x 1.5 relay in XC way back when. It was big in the early 90s, but who knows if they still run it.
As for the original question, assuming it's a 5k, you're probably going to be 20 seconds slow. Maybe as much as 45 since you aren't acclimated. Be very careful with hills. Altitude makes oxygen debt recovery very, very difficult, so charging up an early incline is a great way to ruin your race.
(If it's less than a 5k, the altitude effect will be less. Probably more like 3-4 seconds per mile instead of 6-7.)