Any of you running vets have any thoughts/advice/direction on running in altitude (Rockies) while training only in the flats? In other words - if I wish to run a slow marathon in the Rockies this summer...without any training in similar altitudes...what am I gonna expect?
Good luck to you racers this weekend!
Bump for the new week. This thread moves too fast...!(Unlike me...

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Looks like none of us has specific advice on this one. I would presume you'll be pulling in less oxygen, and therefore just be slower. I don't know how to train for that, though. Start your runs with some speed so that you're more tired from the get-go?

Get to the race location as early as you can (ie: as many days ahead of time as you can) to get yourself acclimated to the altitude. I vaguely remember something about drinking more water to accomodate for somethingerother... dunno- the metric system mebbe?
Thanks fella's! Mostly wondered/concerned what effect the altitude will have on my heart rate...and if I will be fatigued sooner than I would expect on the flats - with the same amount of effort. Hills haven't bothered me for years...and very much enjoy the challenge of running 'em. Buuuut - I've never run hills at 'altitude'! So -

Haven't yet decided if I can make it out there...but excitement is definitely building thinking about the challenge. Legs feel great after my 50k of mid-May....and I'm simply wanting to point myself somewhere 'cool'!
Leadville Marathon is what I'm considering...I'll certainly let you know if I can pull it off!
As always, I'm in complete awe of you and these ultras...

I assume you've done some running at altitude, no? What I've done is tough- even at 4k ft the heart and lungs burn (and this was when I was in college and at my peak fitness with soccer) and the head pounds. Shortness of breath happens just walking around at 7-8k ft for me- even when fit- as does the head pounding. Running at that altitude was real tough.
If you're looking for another ultra- there's a fantastic race out in my childhood stomps in N Cal. The Dipsea- it's actually a 7-8 mile race on trails up over the coastal range across from San Francisco, starting in a town called Mill Valley and ending at Stinson Beach, where you 'dip in the sea'. I'd guess there's about 3k worth of climbing (and descending) in that stretch. The ultra part happens I think the same day- runners either finish, or head back to Mill Valley (the Double Dipsea) where they finish OR head back out for another loop (the Quad Dipsea).
I'm seeing you as a Quad Dipsea kinda guy

... plus, it gives you an excuse to visit San Francisco. However- I think the race is either very, very soon, or just happened.