When does the Altitude start for getting the training benefits.

Try going to about 6000 or higher before you get anything. Fifteen hundred is barely above sea level.

You mean "When do the benefits start while training at altitude?"

no I mean at what Altitude is it considered "Altitude training."

Excellent ....

My fixing is working.

dont know exactly, but it seems like runners who try to reap the benefits of altitude training tend to go places above 5 or 6,000 ft. ive never heard of someone going to 4,000 ft for altitude training. when does ncaa start giving the altitude conversion for distance races, isnt it like 4500 or 5500 ft?

At around 2500 ft air pressure starts to affect oxygen saturation, so figure that as about the lowest point. Generally, above 4000 feet would be your best bet. Because going to really high points reduce oxygen saturation a lot, runners move along too slowly to stress their muscle fibers enough, though they are breathing very hard. I suggest that the ideal elevation is 4500-6000 feet, no higher. Tinman

Tinman is right on! If you go too high, you could actually detrain due to the decreased intensity. That's why some consider living high and training low.

I think this is one of those things that is very individual in effect and response. I seem to notice effects as low as 3000', and definitely by 5000'; my girlfriend isn't nearly as affected, but I think the tradeoff is that I benefit mre when we return to sea level (maybe just because I feel so much better?)

Tinman and Jaguar1 -

When German Silva was in his prime during the mid-1990's to prepare for the NYC Marathon, he went to 10,000+ Altitude to train. As I'm sure you already know, he was a 2 time NYC Marathon champion and a consistent 2:10-2:11 guy. Do you guys think he may have benefit more by staying at the 4600-6000 Ft altitude range and perhaps run faster than 2:10 in NYC?

Yes, I do think he would have raced faster; perhaps 2:09 for the marathon. Tinman

if he grew up in mexico city (approx. 7,000 feet) or its surrounding areas, he would have to go up around 10,000 feet (e.g., toluca) to get the desired effect... if he's from a coastal area (e.g., veracruz), then 5000-6000 feet would've been enough...

shoe guy wrote:

when does ncaa start giving the altitude conversion for distance races, isnt it like 4500 or 5500 ft?

3000 feet

hmmmm..... wrote:

if he grew up in mexico city (approx. 7,000 feet) or its surrounding areas, he would have to go up around 10,000 feet (e.g., toluca) to get the desired effect... if he's from a coastal area (e.g., veracruz), then 5000-6000 feet would've been enough...

Yes, if German Silva was a native of Mexico City, then 7,000 ft. may not be considered "altitude" to him. He'd have to go to a higher altitude to get the altitude stimulus. If this is the case, 10,000 ft. may not be so bad after all for him. However, if he's from sea-level and goes to 10,000+ feet, the increased muscle wasting, slowed training intensity, and increased likelihood of dehydration would negate any benefits.