altitude swimming

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 11 May 2006 16:49:35 GMT

Some one told me to swim with a t-shirt & baggy shorts because the resistance would help my lungs. I did this back when I had my illeostomy but only wiht a t-shirt. I also used to do this in high school. I was amazed by one thing. My hands and arms really worked hard but it felt that the alignment was much better than when I swim without the stuff. Any comments abut this would be great. Also, wht about swimming under water?

RE: altitude swimming

Dennis Tesch — Thu, 11 May 2006 06:44:20 GMT

Paul I can not believe you are calling me a cheater!!! Pulling on the lane lines in backstroke? I think you got me mixed up with my lane mates who have to cheat to keep up - ha ha!!! Man I wish I was at work out when you were visiting. It is always good to have you there pushing my ass. Yes, I'm running the pool up in Heber and I love it. We have plans for the future to build a nice competition pool at a mile high. I will then hold that high altitude meet for masters. I also have a new daughter, born March 6 "Mary Ann". Kids are amazing and I am getting no sleep and it killing my workout schedule. I hope you and Laura are doing well.... cheers!!! Also, you have to know where to buy the beer in Utah. My friends and I just started a beer brewing club at our church in Utah. Our first batch should be ready in a couple of weeks - German Hefervizens (sp?). I'm pretty sure they are a little more that 3.2.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 15:46:14 GMT

A TERRIBLE THING I have had some problems with my gut reoccur. I might not be able to swim in Denver. I'm hoping that it can be taked care of by the end of May. But in the past it seems that it takes much longer than anyone thinks it will. I'm hoping that I will be able to swim through everything and not be so far out of shape, afterall, I swam, in the past, with an illeostomy for four months!

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 16:47:29 GMT

I don't understand? this is a terrible place?

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 16:47:26 GMT

I don't understand? this is a terrible place?

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 06:41:15 GMT

Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com I don't understand? this is a terrible place? Just a pun I love it.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 08:42:58 GMT

This is the terrible place that I have to swim in it is actualy below sea level but the whole city is protected by a levy. www.seevirtual360.com/.../municipal.aspx

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:23:40 GMT

Peter, Might I suggest visiting the SE tip of the US next month for yet another geographic perspective of the US.... (i.e Coral Springs). Perhaps Canada as the 51st state should host the US Masters Nationals one of these years. John Smith

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 07:09:53 GMT

John- I should think more likely that British Columbia, Washington and Oregon sever themselves to form 'Cascadia' with closed borders to Texas grads.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:14:59 GMT

What's up in Colorado? Very pretty, I'll admit, but it seems an unusual number of fast, older swimmers are attracted to less oxygen than is sensible (reflecting in some of Goodsmith's posts). Nice place to visit, but I'll take the Pacific Northwest.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:14:43 GMT

I am in Vail/Beaver Creek right now at about 9,000 feet and will be here for the next 6 days. The place where I stay has a 25M lap pool and let me tell you I never get used to it. I went down the mountain to swim at The Avon Rec Center with the masters group last summer, and noticed a difference. It is a 10 minute drive down the mountain and about 1,000 - 1,500 feet lower. It is still not easy, but at least it is easier. I don't know how y'all do it up here. Paul, you need to get a world tour shirt for all the places you swim. We need a new coach at Brophy, why don't you move down there and take the job?

RE: altitude swimming

Paul Smith — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 09:01:27 GMT

There is no "rule" on wether altitude will have an effect on ones performance, in general most people do have some degree of distress. We got back to CO a few days before last weekends meet after being in AZ for a period of time....and as usual I was sucking wind in training big time, but I've rarely had a significant impact on my race times.....however getting out of the pool afterwards wanting to throw up and stumbling to the warm down pool for an extended warm down is pretty humorous!

RE: altitude swimming

WPSWIMS — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 06:43:29 GMT

I just returned from a house hunting trip to Denver (where I plan to retire) and the COMSA meet at DU. I only had 5 days prior to the meet in Denver/Boulder. I did attend practice both at Boulder and Denver and had to do a reduced version of the sets with lots of rest. I had a hard time with my 500 and 200 free...ended up doing mostly open turns. I chose to race backstroke instead of fly only for extra air.... I usually swim 200 fly and not back! The locals say it takes awhile to really swim well, but it pays off when you go to lower elevations for meets...Florida and Georgia I will return to visit! Anyone want to buy a house in Atlanta...I am close to pools and yes there are places to swim long course!

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 07:05:20 GMT

Originally posted by Jayhawk I live in Kansas, elevation 991 feet. I've swum in two meets in Denver - one long-course, and one short-course. What I discovered was that I could swim the short races (50s, 100s) with no problem and with decent times. The "altitude effect" kicks in during the longer races. You'll be able to swim them; just don't expect great times. Anna Lea I never expect great times.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 14:11:03 GMT

I live in Kansas, elevation 991 feet. I've swum in two meets in Denver - one long-course, and one short-course. What I discovered was that I could swim the short races (50s, 100s) with no problem and with decent times. The "altitude effect" kicks in during the longer races. You'll be able to swim them; just don't expect great times. Anna Lea

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:05:35 GMT

Mel- yes, Coorswill 'merged' with a Canadian major, but I don't drink that stuff. For me, several craft beers & ales brewed right here on Vancouver Island. At sea level.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:52:44 GMT

Hmmm, my wife & I always look forward to descending from 8000 to 5000 feet so that we can drink like regular folks. This weekend should be awash in good beer. As for Canadian beer, I thought that Coors bought up a major Canadian brewery a while back (at least that's what my stock broker advised me). Peter, are you sure you really know what you're drinking. I've whiffed Coors before & it pretty much smells like the water we drink in Granby. -- mel

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 16:11:38 GMT

Originally posted by Jeff Commings I didn't say that I adjusted after three days. I meant that the severe headaches, dehydration and dizziness went away. I still had trouble doing full breaststroke pullouts and underwater kick sets for many months. I still think this will be a great experience, Craig. It could be a great training experience for your long course season! Jeff Commings I don't think that Illinois has a true long course season?

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:13:07 GMT

seems like a lot of Colo swimmers explain their low tolerance to reduced-alcohol swill as the primary effect of altitude...a sniff of canadian beer would probably knock john from here to next week...

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:15:03 GMT

For an altitude simulation, attempt swimming a set, at a pace towards your high aerobic capacity, let’s say 85% max heart rate with a Finis swimmers snorkel www.finisinc.com/products-tr-snorkel.shtml. For example purposes lets say you generally hit 85% on a set of 10 x 100 on 1:20 where your pace is about 1:10 with out the snorkel. Try to maintain that same pace and interval with the snorkel. The use of the snorkel will diminish your air intake capabilities and should imitate swimming at a Mile High. Since Paul is telling drinking stories. I swam my collegiate years at Metropolitan State College of Denver in the early 80’s. It was a swim team tradition after Friday p.m. practice to head to one of the campuses 3.2 bars. Back then it was legal in Colorado for 18 year olds to drink 3.2% beer. It was a real cheap buzz, two beers after 6000 yards on mostly empty stomach drank at high altitude was all you needed baby. Ok yea, I did weigh a lot less then.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:12:09 GMT

Paul, May your low altitude Arizona training cause you lungs to burn and your head to pound this weekend at the Colo. State Meet. John Smith 2 beers......... indeed.

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:25:31 GMT

Paul, that's OK. Where I swim, there are no lane lines and goggles aren't allowed either. Foreigners usually go away with a concussion at a minimum even if they can finish the 800 IM. -- mel

RE: altitude swimming

Dennis Tesch — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 11:04:35 GMT

From the posts I'm reading, it makes me want to put together a high altitude early season swim meet here in Utah. I'm thinking no event less than a 200 and possibly add an 800 IM. Wouldn't that be a challenge!!! Maybe some of us high altitude swimmers could kick some you low level "sea level" swimmers butts..... Always looking for a good challenge... Dennis

RE: altitude swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 07:42:35 GMT

While the high-altitude types revel in their memories of pain-induced halucinatory experiences, visualize them at their 800IM challenges, faces contorted, massive oxygen-grabbing chests heaving, brain cells evacuating out their ears (lemming-like in their desire to survive). Indeed, if you look closer at the end of the pool, in addition to the usual heaps of equipment and fluid-replacement drinks, you'll see little blackboards propped up noting each swimmer's name, address & telephone number 'just in case' the cost in brain tissue is too severe. Ah, but what of the splendid rewards of living at such altitude? Yes, the pleasures of being flash frozen when venturing outside during the winter, and yes, that sizzling sound is the ozone-depleted consequence of being unshielded from the sun's tender rays whilst recreating in summer.

RE: altitude swimming

Paul Smith — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 07:03:17 GMT

Mel.....watch out with Dennis...he cheats.....likes to pull on the lane lines on the backstroke leg! Dennis...Laura & I we're in town Mon/Tue and swam with the Fairmont gang.....rumor has it your running the pool up in Heber? Another little one on the way as well? Peter....the truth is we get far more bang for the buck when drinking beer up here (except in Dennis' state where its all 3.2% alcohol)! Ask evil-goodsmith about his suffering the last time he actually drank TWO in one night!