Has anybody had experience using canned oxygen (such as Boost Oxygen) at high-altitude swim meets? I will be competing at the National Senior Games, in Albuquerque, this June and would like to know what I can expect if I use it. How well does it work? Would racing after taking a few hits of oxygen be similar to racing at sea level?
I have been doing some training with a center-mount snorkel with a air-restricting cap to help prepare. In addition, I will be arriving on a Wednesday evening before my first race on Sunday, so I will have a few days to adjust; however, it's probably not enough. I'm thinking the oxygen could help-- at least it wouldn't hurt! I just don't want to die on my 200 fly, 400 IM, 200 IM, and 200 breaststroke! :whiteflag:
Elaine,
FWIW - way back in 1993, the Breadbasket Zone championship was in Denver (CO). I was living in Minnesota at the time and had a business trip to Denver at the same time as the Meet. I combined the meet with the trip.
I got there a couple of days ahead of the meet and did my first swim at altitude on Friday. I was sucking air big time - due to the altitude. My thought was - this is gonna be bad.
"Fast forward" one day to Saturday and Sunday. My events were: 50-100-200 Back, 500 Free, 200 IM, and 200 *** (??). I did really well - in all events and I was doing a hard 3,000-3,500 yard warm-up each day. I just focused on exhaling and inhaling and had no shortness of breath or tightness in my chest in any races - especially the 200 Back and 500 Free.
So, my recommendation is to accept whatever comes your way, during all of your warm-ups and races focus alot on exhaling and inhaling.
Albuquerque is a bit lower in altitude than Denver.
Good luck - you'll do great!
Elaine,
FWIW - way back in 1993, the Breadbasket Zone championship was in Denver (CO). I was living in Minnesota at the time and had a business trip to Denver at the same time as the Meet. I combined the meet with the trip.
I got there a couple of days ahead of the meet and did my first swim at altitude on Friday. I was sucking air big time - due to the altitude. My thought was - this is gonna be bad.
"Fast forward" one day to Saturday and Sunday. My events were: 50-100-200 Back, 500 Free, 200 IM, and 200 *** (??). I did really well - in all events and I was doing a hard 3,000-3,500 yard warm-up each day. I just focused on exhaling and inhaling and had no shortness of breath or tightness in my chest in any races - especially the 200 Back and 500 Free.
So, my recommendation is to accept whatever comes your way, during all of your warm-ups and races focus alot on exhaling and inhaling.
Albuquerque is a bit lower in altitude than Denver.
Good luck - you'll do great!
