There are a few examples of pro teams in the united states who, on occasion, will live in the mountains and do their base mileage up high, and then creep down to a lower community once or twice per week for speed work on a local track. I am here to tell you that, atleast from a physiological perspective and an economic perspective, it's simply not worth the time and money.
An outstanding young man I went to school with, upon graduation, immediately signed with Zap Fitness. As you all know, Zap Fitness is a profession running team based in Blue Ridge, North Carolina. These guys train in the Blue Ridge Mountains northeast of Ashville, and twice per week creep down to Charlotte for speedwork. A good 3.5-4k drop in altitude. A good hour drive. He spent 2 years running professionally for Zap. He was very instrumental in starting their annual camp for prospective world class development runners, but all of their long term accomplishments as a pro group remained flaccid.
Another example would be Dark Sky, which is the Professional team of Under Armor. They are based in Flagstaff. Once per week, this squad will creep down to Sedona which is a good 2k lower in altitude. A good hour drive.
Railroad Athletics and the Park City crowd of elites/wannabe elite runners are another perfect scenario. Some of them do virtual coaching/training, so there's a lil bit more leeway with that group.
Our friends with the OnCLOUD group in Boulder Colorado really do not have that luxury. There is really nowhere within atleast a 300 mile radius that will allow then to drop below 3100 ft. They really have no choice but to do ALL if their workouts at altitude. You know what? It shows. Big time.
The young man I know that ran for Zap Fitness, his times did not significantly improve from d1 to professional level of competition. Dark Sky (the flagstaff group) seem to be remaining stagnant on the American and international stage. Edwin Kurgat runs for Dark Sky. Although he did indeed win the carlsbad 5k a couple years back, he also has shown no linear improvement since college. His arch nemesis Wesley kiptoo (Kenyan with gloves) trains high year round and is making breathtaking feats left and right.
The team that stands out is, once again, OnCLOUD. Dathan's group is environmentally FORCED to stay up high simply because of geographic isolation and elevational parameters. Yet all of you should stop and OBSERVE their results. Their athletes continue to shake up the world scene with national records and medal. Neguse, Monsoon, Obiri, and even the trickle down training effects on other non boulder based ONCloud athletes like KY Robinson who medaled at world indoors last winter. Dare I say......intentionally moving around on a weekly basis for speedwork is simply overrated.
Some of you may feel like your workouts are easier when you drop 2k in altitude. Your coach may even see that your intervals are faster when you drop and he wants your legs moving a tad faster. However, that's apparently and obviously NOT what the statistics show, result wise. The more you stay up high, the easier it is to race down low. Point being, you are not doing yourself any physiological favors by driving to Sedona or Charlotte and making your workouts easier. If you want to do yourself a favor, don't take the easy way out. It's your body, and it's your gas money.
OnCloud has got it all figured out. Their coach is no newbie. They have taken advantage of the terrain and placement that Creator has given them, and none of their runners are taking the easy way out and escaping to the lowlands. Here in San Antonio, my team also does NOT have the option of creeping up and down elevation wise twice per week. That option isnt available, and we've done just fine with what we have.
We should all strive each and every single solitary day to be more like the OnCloud group. It's your gas money, and aren't doing your running career ANY favors by putting miles on your car just so your legs and lungs can very briefly breath some thicker air.
Results speak loudly. It's just not worth it.