Racing at Altitude

So this past Saturday my wife Liz and I traveled back to Colorado to run the Georgetown to Idaho Springs ½ Marathon. 13.1 miles at 8,500 feet above seal level. This was the first ½ marathon we ever did, back in 2000. At that time we lived in Denver and, although we were much slower, we were used to running at high elevations.

I went into this race a little worried about the elevation. After all, I have been doing all of my running within a few hundred feet of sea level. I was certain, however, that all of my training…50 + miles a week, would help me and get me through without a problem. I was also thinking that the altitude drop over the 13.1 miles, would be on my side. The race drops a total of 1,000 feet over the entire course, which is significant. I was banking on the fact that the downhill portions would allow me to press harder and ultimately come in with a new PR. I was wrong!

My strategy was to take the first two miles a little slower than normal. This would allow me to acclimate and “breathe easier” through the flat portion of the course, while letting me make up this time on the downhills. Well, after I hit mile 2, I was sucking wind like I would in a 5K. I was running 7:20s and could tell this would be one hell of a challenge. By mile 4, I needed to walk through the water station, but I had picked up the pace a little. There was still a chance I could pull this one off….maybe. Soon, I told myself that it was nice to be back in Colorado and that a 13.1 mile “up tempo” training run, would not be a bad alternative. I was completely zapped of any energy I had, and the breathing never got any easier.

Altitude sickness was setting in…I felt nauseous and had a headache by mile 7…I was done. The downhill portions, only beat me up more…it was not the race I had hoped for.

I still crossed the finish line at a respectable time…and was just glad this was all over. It was an experience I won’t forget and a lesson I will carry with me for a long time. As a serious runner, I cannot take anything for granted, and must respect the nature of a course, elevation, distance, etc. There is always the chance for a bad race. I can accept one every once in a while. I am probably my own worst critic, so I take it all with a grain of salt. If I came back to do this again, the thin air may or may not affect me. From what I have read, it can get you one day, and you might be fine the next…it varies.

For now, I am taking a few days off to rest the Achilles and deal with some recovery issues…then I am gunning for a PR at the Primo’s ½ in October!

My headache persisted until 5:00 pm. Four Advil and a Monster Energy drink helped is subside so I could at least enjoy some margaritas at Dixon’s.