Training for meet at high altitude

I wouldn't say that. How many of the other swimmers do you think will be from high altitudes? I have no idea; however, I would imagine the meet would draw a lot of local swimmers and those from surrounding states-- one of which is Colorado, another state with cities at high altitude. I would work on butterfly breathing every stroke cycle and breathing exercises stressing deep belly breaths to maximize what O2 there is. I wasn't aware there is any O2 storage as mentioned above. Plus long distance runners are probably pacing themselves more than most swimmers do so expect the O2 difference to hit swimmers sooner. Not fun. My friends who have swum at ski resorts pools say it hits them immediately. But they are at higher altitudes than you will be swimming at. I already breathe every stroke in fly; however, I don't do breathing exercises. That will be something for me to check into-- thanks. When it's time for the event, bring some ibuprofen for headaches, maybe some canned oxygen too. Not sure what you can do to prep for it a year in advance though. I see people wearing those oxygen-restriction masks at the gym sometimes. My husband and I were joking about the oxygen idea. We thought the least the National Senior Games staff could do is have an oxygen tank available next to each starting block! :bolt: That was the writer's personal experience/opinion. I was referring to a paragraph before that about the recommendations of other resources which concludes: Ok, got it. There are so many differing opinions out there, it's now as clear as mud! I guess First, the premise that you are swimming at high altitude is flawed. It is higher altitude, but not high altitude. A mile high is only considered moderate altitude. Yes you will have some impact above 4000, but if I remember correctly it is about 4800 and really 5000 where the cardiovascular impact really starts to kick in. While it takes a few weeks for acclimatization, doing a week before and doing some light to moderate training is military guideline. The other guideline, which is for the mile range of altitude, is oxygen restricted and hypoxic training in advance. but the lean is more towards restricted oxygen training.. ( get a cap that restricts for a snorkel ). And actually training at the altitude is actually the best way. Since you seem to be concerned.. why don't you find a place to swim that is in the higher altitude and take a weekend road trip.. we don't have the Rockies in the east, but there might be somewhere that at least has altitude. The elevation of Albuquerque is 5,311 feet, so it is likely I will experience that impact you describe. (The difference in altitude between where I live and Albuquerque is about 4,300 ft.) The snorkel idea may be the ticket to developing stronger lungs-- something I could use, since I feel the need to breathe every stroke on both fly and free when I race any distance. Thanks for the idea!

I wouldn't say that. How many of the other swimmers do you think will be from high altitudes? I have no idea; however, I would imagine the meet would draw a lot of local swimmers and those from surrounding states-- one of which is Colorado, another state with cities at high altitude. I would work on butterfly breathing every stroke cycle and breathing exercises stressing deep belly breaths to maximize what O2 there is. I wasn't aware there is any O2 storage as mentioned above. Plus long distance runners are probably pacing themselves more than most swimmers do so expect the O2 difference to hit swimmers sooner. Not fun. My friends who have swum at ski resorts pools say it hits them immediately. But they are at higher altitudes than you will be swimming at. I already breathe every stroke in fly; however, I don't do breathing exercises. That will be something for me to check into-- thanks. When it's time for the event, bring some ibuprofen for headaches, maybe some canned oxygen too. Not sure what you can do to prep for it a year in advance though. I see people wearing those oxygen-restriction masks at the gym sometimes. My husband and I were joking about the oxygen idea. We thought the least the National Senior Games staff could do is have an oxygen tank available next to each starting block! :bolt: That was the writer's personal experience/opinion. I was referring to a paragraph before that about the recommendations of other resources which concludes: Ok, got it. There are so many differing opinions out there, it's now as clear as mud! I guess First, the premise that you are swimming at high altitude is flawed. It is higher altitude, but not high altitude. A mile high is only considered moderate altitude. Yes you will have some impact above 4000, but if I remember correctly it is about 4800 and really 5000 where the cardiovascular impact really starts to kick in. While it takes a few weeks for acclimatization, doing a week before and doing some light to moderate training is military guideline. The other guideline, which is for the mile range of altitude, is oxygen restricted and hypoxic training in advance. but the lean is more towards restricted oxygen training.. ( get a cap that restricts for a snorkel ). And actually training at the altitude is actually the best way. Since you seem to be concerned.. why don't you find a place to swim that is in the higher altitude and take a weekend road trip.. we don't have the Rockies in the east, but there might be somewhere that at least has altitude. The elevation of Albuquerque is 5,311 feet, so it is likely I will experience that impact you describe. (The difference in altitude between where I live and Albuquerque is about 4,300 ft.) The snorkel idea may be the ticket to developing stronger lungs-- something I could use, since I feel the need to breathe every stroke on both fly and free when I race any distance. Thanks for the idea!