Running at altitude

[Sam Harrison]

A few days is the worst thing you can do..

Either fly out the day before or a week before.. 3-4 days your body is struggling and has no benefits..

I was thinking a few days just so you're not shocking your body straight into less oxygen, I wasn't really thinking about how well you perform. I'd have thought in that it'd be better than jumping straight in with no acclimatisation, but you're probably more qualified to give advice than me as my experience is pretty limited!

[Mike T]

At what sort of elevation would you need to start worrying about acclimatisation if running at altitude? I've walked at 2500 meters but never run at that altitude and don't know if it would have an impact.

Also how long would it generally take to get acclimatised?

Below 1,000 metres most people do not notice anything. Above that people will become more breathless than normal at a given level of exertion and so slow down. Sleeping above about 1,500 metres can result in transient nausea/headaches - this varies from person to person and is usually mild/transient but can become a nuisance above about 2,200 metres to the extent that it can ruin a skiing trip. As has been said, if possible, either race within 24 hours, or wait a week. True altitude sickness of any type is uncommon below 3,500 metres but can affect even those who are very fit.

[OB1]

1% theory 99% practice?
Like 'Finn', take timeout, and go and run with the Kenyans on the Rift valley escarpment (circa 2500m).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Keny.../dp/0571274056
I got the book for my birthday in April and just finished it. Nice read.
Harambee!

[ZootHornRollo]

you won't suffer effects but it will impact on performance.

yes agreed.
I just meant that there's not a lot you can do about that so you may as well forget about it - unless you have a few weeks to do some altitude training.

[andy k]

Agree with Ian,
my experience of racing without acclimatisation is that as you approach 2000m you can feel the effect of reduced oxygen, running feels harder work, but you can still pretty much push yourself on and keep running (though it will be that bit slower).
As you approach 2500 then capability is reduced i.e. you can't do the things you can lower down (eg keep running hard). Beyond 3000m continuous running becomes harder and harder (unless its downhill).
(If you race hard up to 4000+ then there is a euphoric high to be had when you turn and descend into oxygen).

If you are racing Mont Blanc marathon, racing up to 2200m, then you'll be ok without acclimatisation, you'll also be fine arriving in Chamonix 3 days before - Its at 1000m so only at the very lower edge of "altitude". The thing I noticed racing around and above 2000m is that you really feel it the next day, more than usual.

[maddaddy]

Are there any potential issues in flying the day after running at altitude?