Let me begin by saying, I already train at 8,000ft for a high-level collegiate program. I am in my second year, and have seen significant improvement from my first year to now. I am entering into a another level of fitness, and have a likely shot at top 8 at Indoor Nationals this upcoming March.
Long story short, I have recently been afforded the opportunity to come into an Altitude tent and have been discussing with my Coaches as to how exactly to incorporate it into my training schedule, being at 8000ft already. We are divided on this question, as while they have encountered athletes and teammates, my coaches being elite runners themselves, using Altitude tents, they have yet to see one being used at this altitude.
I understand that most of you may be asking why the tent if you already live and train, at 8000ft. To this, I offer back, this will be an experiment in itself. In the Flotrack "Inside: The Nike Oregon Project" Series, in the episode, "Centro", Matt Centrowitz acknowledges that himself and several of his teammates use Altitude Tents/Canopy's in Park City, Utah, which has an altitude of roughly 8000ft, during their training camps. Centrowitz states that he sets his Altitude Canopy to 4000ft, which allows him to sleep at 12,000ft in total.
Depending on the final advice of my coaches, and hopefully, advice from some knowledgable responders out there, I plan to develop a cycle regiment for the tent, gradually increasing the tent from 1000 to 2000 to 3000ft, and if things go well, eventually settle at 4000ft. I will be posting my pre-hematocrit, RBC, etc etc levels before I begin the cycle, remember already being at 8000ft, and will be posting post results in 5-6 weeks.
Below, please, post any knowledge/experience you have with Altitude tents in general. Specifically, any advice regarding cycles, full 6 week cycles or breaks inbetween, EX. 3 days in, 4 out for 6 weeks. As for the next post, I will be posting once I have my pre-levels and cycle ironed out, under the same name, Chief1322. Thanks for the read.
Letsrun, let me know what you think.