I have never swum at high altitude, so I have no idea how my body will react when I compete at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque. The meet is over a year from now, so I have plenty of time to prepare. How should I train for it when I currently live and train at near-sea level elevation? The difference in elevation between here and there is about 4,300 feet. The events I will be competing in will be: 400 IM, 200 Fly, 200 ***, 200 IM, 100 Fly, and 50 ***.
I am 56 years old, swim six days/week (averaging a total of 12-13,000 yds./wk; I trade off heavier days with lighter days), and do various forms of dryland after each swim (yoga, weights, Theraband exercises, etc.).
Thanks!
:)
Hi there! I've been doing fine and love living in NM now. When is the meet? I may head down there to watch a bit. I can't believe you are still doing the 400IM and 200 fly. You are an animal. A few days here will help along with the water intake. Lack of water can cause a headache quickly here.
The National Senior Games are June 14-25, 2019 for all of the sports. The schedule for the individual sports hasn't been released yet. It would be great if you are able to come watch, because I haven't seen you since Atlanta's Nationals in 2010!
Your advice on water intake has been noted, and I passed that message along to my husband, too. We always have water bottles with us, so I'll make sure we are both using them often!
As for being an "animal" for still doing the 400 IM and 200 fly, others would probably call me an idiot! It's funny how I qualified as a Butternut doing a 2,000 non-stop fly; however, the worst part of the entire thing was the first 200 yards! I did that six years ago at 50; however, I'm a lot smarter now and won't even go there. 200 is enough fly for these aging shoulders! :agree:
Keep it up, Elaine! I'll try to come down to ABQ during the meet, once they announce the exact dates. I so wish I could compete as we don't have many meets in NM. As in, we have 1 per year!
ONE? :shakeshead: Sheesh!:badday:
Elaine, this is swimshark (darn new forum wouldn't let me log in with my old name). I live about 90 min north of ABQ now. I train at 7200 every day. I've been told it takes 1 month per 1000 feet in elevation gain to adjust but there are days I still feel like I'm adjusting and I've been here for 2 years. Drink plenty of water for about a week before arriving and get here as far in advance as you can. I wish I could swim in the meet but I miss the age limit by 1 year!
Hi there! I've been doing fine and love living in NM now. When is the meet? I may head down there to watch a bit. I can't believe you are still doing the 400IM and 200 fly. You are an animal. A few days here will help along with the water intake. Lack of water can cause a headache quickly here.
Keep it up, Elaine! I'll try to come down to ABQ during the meet, once they announce the exact dates. I so wish I could compete as we don't have many meets in NM. As in, we have 1 per year!
Its a small populated state. New Mexico swimmers go to meets in Arizona. I competed against a New Mexico Masters swimmer at the Tucson Senior Olympics meet.
Sadly, true. We hosted a dual-sanctioned meet last summer and had 1 master from CO come down. Were closer to CO than AZ. Sadly, that dual-sanctioned meet was cancelled this year due to low registration.
Yeah, Albuquerque is all right I guess. If you can spell it. And keep your car from being stolen. Oh, and not get shot. Then it's real nice. Mostly kidding.
I don't know if I'll be there. I haven't entered swim meet since 1978. Don't have fond memories of age group swim meets either. I know it's all different now, just haven't taken the plunge. I was going to do the NM State games this year. But I'm getting my shoulder fixed in June and won't be able to. If you come here, swim with us at LOBO.
Vintage, I'm not too far from you. Just 90 min away and "up on the hill". Elaine, I've been told it take 1 month for every 1000 feet in elevation gain to adjust. I've been at 7200 for over 2 years and I'm still adjusting some days. Drink lots of water for the week or so prior to arriving and get here as early, before the meet, as you can. ABQ isn't as high as I am so I actually would enjoy this meet but I miss the age requirement by 1 year. Maybe I'll drive down and see you, though!
I too am going to the Senior Games in Albuquerque and after reading the posts here I am resigned to the fact that I will be gasping for breath. Another swimmer I met this weekend at the Pasadena Senior Games who is also going to Albuquerque told me to do open turns on the longer events. My coach told me this morning that I might have to do that if the altitude becomes a factor. I am going to look into portable oxygen canisters.
I am going to look into portable oxygen canisters.
Check out this thread: forums.usms.org/showthread.php
The responses to my question about it were negative. I guess we'll be stuck gasping for air. In my case, the 200 fly, 400 IM, and 200 breaststroke are going to be, uhhh, interesting... :whiteflag:
