I'm planning a vacation to Denver in June. At the time, they wil be holding the Mile High, One Mile. I live in an area that is very close to sea level. I was wondering if anyone can give to me training ideas to get ready for the high altitude.
Former Member
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...
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?
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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?
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.
