altitude training-help please

manitou springs, colorado------

it is basically colorado springs, however it is the west side in the mountains more so, and is on the west side of the interstate that runs through the core of colorado springs. this is about 6000-6500 feet depending on where you are in town. but a person can easily be up to 10000 feet at the rampart resevoir, or 11000 up by leadville-go to glacier lake that has a trail all the way around it that is about 14-16 miles(it is a drive to leadville but it is worth the trip). i got light headed for the 10 days i was up there last summer. good mileage but hydrate well! has a plethora of people to train with as well at any level you are at. talk to john at the colorado running company or peter at the runners roost or cody at the boulder running company.

missoula, montana------

fairly cheap place to live and again has many trails to treat yourself too. only around 4000 feet i believe but i have easily been up to 10000 feet in a short drive, and 6000 feet through some of the mountains in a close vecinity. the university of montana is there and always has good runners to train with. hell their coach is a bad ass himself-tom rauning...get a hold of him and i'm sure he can hook you up with some of his runners. scott mcqwauwin runs there still and i believe he ran close to a 3:41 1500 last year in cali so the talent is up there to help you run fast.

mexico city, mexico-----

be careful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! elevation might not be worth all the bullshit with politics, medical facilities, trusting the people down there, and cleanliness of the area. but it is pretty high and would be cool to do for 4 months or so. just a thought for you on this one.

alamosa, colorado-----

fairly cheap to live and the training is mostly on gravel sand or trail. adams state resides there and i believe their distance program is more than respectable if you are looking for company. elevation ranges from 6600-7500 feet and is great for training but a little dull on the entertainment side, even serious runners need some social atmosphere.

gunnison, colorado------

boise, idaho------

albuquerque, new mexico-----

if you want more ideas leave your e-mail, i have personally trained in a plethora of high altitude environments, and i have some connections in most of them.

hope this helps.

I just moved to Ouray, CO. The base elevation here is 7,700 feet. There is only one paved road through town. The rest are dirt trails.

During the winter, you could run flat dirt roads forever. Or run in Ironton Park (~9,500), a popular cross country ski loop.

Once the snow has cleared, you could run up to 10,000 to 14,000 feet (Mt. Sneffels).

Ben

Gunnison, CO.

Reasons:

Altitude - 7,703

Trails for africa

Surrounded by mounatins that reach 12,000ft (crested butte)

~Also there are a lot of other runners, including the WSC team, Michael Aish and plenty of cross country skiers who make solid training partners.

How cold is there though. I heard it is the coldest town in the US. Doesnt matter how good the trails are, if the snot in your nose freezes its just too cold. Also what kind of runner are you if you have to train with cross country skiers? No disrespect but im sure they cant mix it with runners there.

this morning when i headed out the door at 8am it was -4. too cold! and yes the not froze in my nose

what about CU? anyone know what the trails are like, also the condition this time of year? altitude? Some thing muct be going right there.