Friday, November 21, 2008
Plans for 09, and probably 10
I really don't wanna stay at home for these, especially since I missed last years and these next two years would be my last at USA Cycling juniors. But my dad and I have decided that since the elevation for nationals is 7,000 something, it would be way too unfair and I shouldn't race. That elevation really takes energy out of you, and there is a reason why Harlan and Eatough said they stayed away from the marathon nationals in Breckenridge. I doubt I'd find a healthy solution that is good enough to race with, but if I do, I still may consider. As of now though, next year's nationals and possibly the year after's are definitely races I won't go to, even though I wanna race them without the elevation handycap. It makes no sense to beat myself up way too much, racing with 10 - 15% of my energy not there. If I traveled that far to race, I'd wanna have some fast results, and right now we don't think that can happen with the elevation.
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Go 2-3 weeks prior and you won't have any trouble....
That's what I've heard
Question:How long will I need to spend at altitude to gain any real blood acclimatization and performance enhancement? What is the best strategy for acclimatization?
Answer: The latest research* indicates that it takes at least 12 hours a day for 3 weeks at an altitude (actual or simulated) of nearly 7000 feet. It also appears that living High and training Low (or with supplemental Oxygen) is the best protocol for enhancing performance. However, it is still unclear whether training at altitude or intermittent, short term severe hypoxia is of any benefit to performance. That said, the more time you have, the better. Moreover, it is better to stay at the altitude you plan to compete at, rather than a lower altitude - it goes without saying *Rusko H.K., H.O. Tikkanen, J.E. Peltonen. Altitude and endurance training. J Sports Sci. 22(10):928-45
I've also heard that if you simply arrive at the race the night before and just hit it the next morning then you will usually be fine. Also, I went out to Moab (4500ft) a few years ago and rode there for two weeks and never really felt the altitude. Rides went up to 8000 or 9000 feet for the two weeks and it never really bothered me...
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