THE RULE OF 3 FOR RACING AT ALTITUDE
HAVE YOU EVER RACED AT ALTITUDE? If you're a sea leveler like me, it's quite a blow. There are some things you can do to counteract the effects of the thin air...
... and one thing you're gonna love.
Monday I'll be racing the Firecracker 50 MTB race in Breckinridge, topping out at just over 11,200' above my hometown.
Today I pre-rode the course.
Last night I was gassed...
... climbing the flight of stairs to bed.
I woke up with a moderate banger of a headache.
So, here's the deal.
It's high. I'm struggling a bit. Can't put down the power like I'd like to without feeling like my lungs my blow right out my mouth when I exhale.
There's this turd of a 1 mile climb called Little French with 20% gradient...
... nearly passed out before dropping straight down across a rocky stream.
Anyway, I promised you the rule of 3...
... either get high 3 weeks before or 3 minutes before the race starts, and whatever you do don't get there 3 days before.
- 3 days before very bad, body is at it's worst.
- 3 minutes, you still have oxygen in your system.
- 3 weeks, you're fully aclimated.
So, why would I arrive 3 days before this race?
Obviously because my sister and bro-in-law live here, and we want to hang out and watch the parade on the 4th.
But, surely there must be something more sinister?
Well, yeah. XC Nationals is in 3 weeks, just a couple of mountain passes away...
... and Leadville is 6 weeks out.
Oh, I promised you one thing you are going to love if you're coming from sea level...
... the air is so thin, you fly on the flats.
It's an amazing feeling.
You've read about world records set at altitude and thought Oh yeah, makes sense.. It doesn't. Not until you actually experience it for yourself.
One more thing, we are stairstepping it. Before this 2milehighcity, we were in UT at 5000' for a week...
... which, if you can swing it is a good way to go.
Something else I've noticed up here, is I'm not thinking the best. And I left my Mini RaceDay Bag on my gravel bike...
... I need to get a 2nd, you might too.
It's really cool, fits snug under the saddle. Holds 2 cartridges, a small multi-took, darts and a nozzle.
Just for fun, use promo code: GETHIGH and save 20%
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161ish (no scale today)
6.5 hrs (altitude is brutal)
Body Water 60.8% (maybe)
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling