I'm going to live at 2,000 ft for 3 months, after having lived at sea level my whole life. From what I understand, 2,000 ft is not a very big change in altitude. Is it high enough to benefit my running in any way?
I'm going to live at 2,000 ft for 3 months, after having lived at sea level my whole life. From what I understand, 2,000 ft is not a very big change in altitude. Is it high enough to benefit my running in any way?
I spent the summer in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, running 50-60 mpw. The altitude was on average 6,000 ft. I found that the biggest impact altitude had was on recovery time. After a long run I found that it would take more than just 24 hours to feel normal again. Now that I am back in Boston, running at sea level, I must say that there are many factors that affect how you feel while you are running. I almost feel that altitude training is over-rated, but I haven't done any workouts to truly test my fitness.
Anyway, after all that pontificating... 2,000 ft. most likely won't impact your running at all, just keep going as you normally do. You really need to go up to about 5,000 ft. Remember food still cooks the same way at sea level as it does at 2,000 ft. By that I am implying that processes that require a certain amount of oxygen, such as baking with yeast remain the same.
Happy trails.
I have spent a lot of time reading altitude studies lately. I have seen several studies that report you may actually see negative results. They report subtantial red blood cells, mitochondrial benefits don't kick in til 3100 feet. In other words it is not a straight line correlation with altitude. But, you will still have the lower partial pressures making you work harder for oxygen. Keep us posted on what happens.
I first started running at 2,500 ft. and then moved to sea level for college. Didn't notice any difference in that direction. Although, whenever I returned home for an extended visit, I definitely noticed the altitude difference. I don't know the science on this subject, but I was a 10k track runner,(meaning I've learned a thing or two about pace) who trains regularly with a heartrate monitor and running the same pace at 2500 feet causes an increase in heartrate. I have no idea if this benefits anyone substantially.
In a previous thread, I thought it said optimum altitude
for LT work was 3,000 to 5,000 feet. There must be something
between VO2 Max. and LT at 2'000.
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Rest in Peace Adrian Lehmann - 2:11 Swiss marathoner. Dies of heart attack.
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year