Altitude?

just because those people didn't train at altitude doesn't show that altitude has no effect on training, it merely shows that altitude is not necessary to run fast if you are an ass-kicker. but if altitude training improves your running in addition to training smart and living the life, than why not do something that is to your advantage. if gebreselassie ran 27:00 without shoes on would that prove that shoes are worthless?

Carlos Lopes never ran a step at altitude. Coe never ran anything at altitude either, nor did Ovett. There is a misconception that altitude training makes you into a great runner. You become a great runner no matter where you train. Altitude MAY make you better but it isn't what makes you great in the first place. Every runner who makes their mark as a sea level runner and then adds altitude usually becomes a poorer runner. De Castella, Jones, Cram.... all worse after moving to altitude. As Coe says, too many variables are introduced. You add one benefit and subtract two it seems.

1. I am not an opponent of altitude training.

2. malmo (78) & I (87) both competed in the World XC Champs.

Like most top athletes they trained either alone or in loose groups, for the most part with minimum guidance from coaches.

I remeber reading in running with the legends that shorter went out to colordo for periods and ran 170mpw. Dont have the book right here so this is gust going from memory. ANyone else remeber reading that?

I believe that Mr Hodge can attest to the advantages of

training with a group of like-minded, Competitive, serious

runners. Not on a daily basis, but for speed work,tempo

runs and such, that group dynamic no doubt was part of the

success that the Boston guys had in the 80's. They had fun,

but when it became time for working they pushed each other

to new levels.

As I wasn't at Puma camp long enough (ten days) to reap any blood benefits to the 9000 ft altitude, I was surprised to realize I had learned to BREATHE better by paying attention and focus on getting full breaths. If my mind started to wander running with Godfrey K or Osoro even on a so-called easy run, I was toast. The guys would talk about improving their "breathing muscles."

In regards to group running or simply having a partner who pushes and pulls you, we can already see SOME American success at this practice. Hodgie probably remembers the Cedar Street Wellesly days when Tommy Ratcliffe's 2:13 (?)wasn't even close to the best marathon PR in the hood with Ryan, Ptzinger(sp?), Hodgie, Bickford (10k WL), and the crazy Peddie. Who else was around in those halcyon days, Hodgie-san???

van wrote:

Hodgie probably remembers the Cedar Street Wellesly days when Tommy Ratcliffe's 2:13 (?)wasn't even close to the best marathon PR in the hood with Ryan, Ptzinger(sp?), Hodgie, Bickford (10k WL), and the crazy Peddie. Who else was around in those halcyon days, Hodgie-san???

If you're talking about the greater Boston area in the late 70s and early 80s: Randy Thomas, Vinnie Fleming (Bob's teammate), John and Bob Flora (Bickford's teammates), Greg Meyer, Al Sal (occasionally), and, of course, Bill Rodgers, among many others. On the women's side, I remember a high schooler named Lynn Jennings (from the town of Harvard, Massachusetts), Patty Lyons Catalano, and a little sparkplug named Joan Benoit (at least when she was coaching in the area). Of course, there were also the guys from Providence, like John Treacy and Dan Dillon, who were often in the mix. Quite an extraordinary scene for American distance running. (And yes, flamers, I know that Treacy wasn't a U.S. citizen.)

Altitude training does diminish speed, but this can be solved through plyometrics and weights. The drawbacks to altitude are so little that the benefits easily outweight them.

Many athletes came to Boston for races, Falmouth or Boston, & liked the environment and wound up staying for extended periods.