Parker Valby wants the 3k title and goes all in

For those wondering how Diamox helps with altitude. Here's the mechanism of action:

"Its mechanism is via inhibition of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme which counteracts the respiratory alkalosis which occurs during ascent to altitude. It facilitates the excretion of bicarbonate in the urine. As a result, acetazolamide hastens acclimatization and helps prevent high altitude disorders."

clinicaltrials.gov

Acetazolamide for the Prevention of High Altitude Illness: a Comparison of Dosing - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Acetazolamide for the Prevention of High Altitude Illness: a Comparison of Dosing - Full Text View.

Link:clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0199366...

I certainly hope so.

I think I'll just wait and see what happens. I just hope it's a good competitive race.

No kick so she will have to make the pace very fast to drop Tuohy. Not sure if that is possible.

My understanding is that unless you can get up high 2-3 weeks prior, minimize the time of exposure, to under 24 hours, if possible. 4-5 days would be the worst window, by this account. Of course individual variation plays a big part. Most of the athletes will probably be in the 2-4 day window.

But Valby still might choose wide tangents and run the whole race from lane 4

I was born and raised at sea-level (350'). Moved to 6750' in my early 20s. My threshold power increased by ~10% that first year living in the mountains. Raced professionally for 7 years.

I have read extensively over the past 20+ years about the effects of altitude. And I have experienced them firsthand.

So I will repeat: 4958' is not high-altitude

It is high enough that all the distance competitors will produce less power, true, but it is on the low end of moderate-altitude.

Do those who live, train and respond well to altitude have an advantage? 100%, yes. But they always do.

Do I think it's wise to hold the indoor track national champs at 4958'? No, it's idiotic, but the physiological effect is less than what a lot of sea-level dwellers fear it to be.

Yes that is what I’ve always been led to believe. If you have to compete at altitude, go up the night before and race with less than 24 hours exposure. That probably will not be possible for an entire team logistically. Personally, I think Touhy will cruise through the 5k and do as little as possible while winning. Then be ready to do battle in the 3k.

I wish this were true(er), better story. I sense zero tension between them. Unfortunately they are both annoyingly super likable. I just choose the 'dog, which is valby. Everyone likes the 'dog/upset.

Nearly 5000 ft may not be high compared to what mountaineers experience trekking, but you can definitely get altitude sickness at that level of elevation.

What I also find super intriguing about the 3k is Valby's coaching situation. The Alabama runners are going to be some of her biggest competition (outside of Tuohy) and the FL coach knows their strengths and weaknesses probably very well.

No you can't. 5k is nothing

If Chelangat is healthy, unless I’m missing something, Alabama will have failed if Chelangat does not go into that 5k with the mentality to race that 5k as hard as possible, producing her best time as possible, given the conditions.

In doing so, she will still likely get 2nd place, at least, and have improved Olemomoi’s chances in the 3k.

If you agree with this, then would you not conclude it makes little to no sense for Chelangat to be doing any fartlek fakeouts? Rather, Chelangat needs to go hard, early on, and keep pressing until the race is over.

Let me know if you see it differently.

Yeah, 4-5 days would be a big mistake. You want 10 days minimum or to show up less than 24hr from start. 4-5 days is going to be peak fatigue from altitude adjustment.

Going hard from the top doesn't seem to be Chelangat's racing style though, does it? I really don't know who in this race is likely to push the pace, at least at the beginning of the race.

Also, isn't there evidence now that Olemomoi is as fast if not faster between the two of them atleast at 5k and under?

My rule of thumb is that I go by what I see at conference or regional meets in the lead up to nationals. Did not think Hilda looked as good as Chelangat. On the other hand Chelangat went out way too fast at Millrose.

In answer to your first question, we need to revisit the SEC Championships race last fall. On a flat-grass course, per my estimation, Chelangat displayed low 15min fitness. I think that was one of Chelangat’s best display of fitness. I think she probably went all-in to win that race, and I don’t think we have see her run to that potential since, and we don’t know why that is the case (maybe she picked up a ‘niggle’, or who knows?….or maybe she was strategizing a set-up for her next big swing.)

Cheleangat did get caught in the middlle of the 8:30 pace for a couple of laps which did not help her cause at Millrose. Looking at the field I do not see anyone who jumps out to me as one to take the lead at least at a fast pace. My guess is it will end up either Chelangat or maybe Stearns. For the 3000 I think there is an obvious candidate if she is healthy. Otherwise, who knows? The longer the races go at a slow pace looking for a leader the better for Tuohy.