Training for Colorado

So I was just asked on my Facebook how I prepared for running in Colorado with the crazy elevation change. Other than really working on getting myself physically fit, I did some quick research. A Google search lead me to an elevation training mask, www.trainingmask.com. As goofy as it looks, and maybe as scary as it looks, I'm a believer. The mask can simulate air density from 3000 feet to 18,000 feet.

With an elevation of just over 1000 feet here at home, and about 5300 feet at the race venue in Colorado, I needed something. I've been going out to Colorado for the past few years, maybe twice a year. Each trip was never involving anything really physically demanding. That was probably a good thing. Even just walks around a park were enough to get me winded. I started with it at it's lowest setting, 3000 feet. I did my normal workouts with it on. At first I could only last a few minutes. Soon I was going 30 minutes to an hour no problem. Time to turn it up! All this started about 2 months before the race. Kept working up, eventually doing my workouts at the 12000 foot setting. I ran with it a couple of times at 3000 feet. It sure felt different. But 3000 feet wasn't going to cut it. And really, that would be close to 4000 feet when you take into account the existing elevation. I was still 1000 feet short. So on a couple of my last runs before heading out west, I adjusted it to the 6000 foot setting (now simulating 7000 feet). I was now running at an simulated elevation well over what was needed.

I flew into Denver on a Wednesday morning with the intention of giving myself a good day or so to adjust and run late Thursday. I didn't wait until late. I went out Thursday morning, found a great park, and knocked out 2.5 miles no sweat. Felt great after, and for the rest of the day. Lots and lots of water. If you've never been to the Denver area, water is one of your biggest friends. You can't drink enough out there. Between the altitude and being high desert (that's right, desert), you dehydrate easily. Rested pretty much the remainder of Thursday. Went on a long walk around a museum and the zoo on Friday. No alcohol on Friday, as much as I wanted a beer with my sushi.

Up early on Saturday. Had my Shakeology breakfast, about 24 ounces of water, and then 8 ounces of water mixed with Cellucore's N0 Extreme about 30 minutes prior to race time. During the race, I had two bottles with 8oz of water mixed with Cellucore BCAA. I think I only touched my water once during the race. I really felt good. Not a lot of huffing and puffing coming out of me. There were a lot of people slowing and really working hard to breathe just after the first mile alone. I just kept going. The final sprint was up hill, and really was amazing. When I finished I really did feel like I could have done more, and it almost seemed like it was short. But between the race map being accurately measured, and my running app, it was correct, maybe even just a little longer. After I got back to my hotel, I did crash. It was mostly one of those tired from being up at 5 in the morning and the emotional drain of it all.

Rocked that race out! Looking forward to doing all again for a 10k in May!