<p>This flatlander is heading to CO in 2 mos for a running camp…other than running hills what can I do to train for altitude? 8000 ft :0</p>
<p>You really can’t unless you buy an altitude tent and sleep in it. I’ve gone to altitude a lot and run. It takes me about 4 days (but many people adjust sooner) to be able to make it up a hill without dying. You will love the cool, clean air. Your pace will be slower and you will have to stop and get your breath back, but you will adjust. I raced at altitude once a day after arriving (10K) and I truly thought I was going to die. Flats aren’t too bad, but any incline just sucks the air out of you- and most everything is a hill.</p>
<p>Watch yourself initially.</p>
<p>The Steelers have a player who can’t play in Denver ( I think because of sickle-cell trait, but I’m not sure. They learned this by what happened when he did play there once.) In any case, he’s ok elsewhere, so that’s an indication of the difference the altitude makes.</p>
<p>Drink a lot of water when you get to Colorado! It’s easy to get dehydrated, and that can make altitude sickness worse. I’ll never forget skiing at Beaver Creek - all of a sudden, I felt like I could hardly move, and had a hard time getting down the mountain. HORRIBLE feeling! I was fine after I rested a few hours.</p>
<p>Drink alot of water BEFORE you get to Colorado. Also it takes a day or two to acclimate so go easy the first two days.</p>
<p>Thanks… am hoping to avoid the altitude sickness!</p>
<p>I’ve heard anecdotal evidence that high intensity intervals can help because they stress your ability to take in oxygen. But 8k feet? That’s really up there. All I can say is best of luck.</p>
<p>ya, 8k is very high. So the running camp itself is altitude training. Do they have any recommendations for preparing for camp? Sounds brutal, especially the first few days. Enjoy! 
(How old are you? How serious are you as a runner? I would guess pretty serious if going to high altitude running camp) I also was going to suggest one of those high altitude running tents… Are they legal?</p>
<p>Maybe call these guys and ask them.</p>
<p>[High</a> Altitude Performance Lab (HAPLab) ? Western State Colorado University](<a href=“http://www.western.edu/academics/ess/haplab]High”>http://www.western.edu/academics/ess/haplab)</p>
<p>Climb high, sleep low.</p>
<p>the camp is Active at Altitude and I am not a “competitive” runner, I run for fun.
This is a running vacation 
Therapy really… after a tough year.
I was told to cut the coffee…no!!! And do hills.<br>
Keep the tips coming!</p>
<p>ldavis, I just got back from a strenuous multiday trek in the Peruvian Andes at 9,000-15,000 ft above sea level. I prepared for it by 1) getting into good shape beforehand (in addition to my usual running routine, I hiked locally as often as I could, and I did fast walking on a treadmill set at the highest incline for 20 minutes 3 x /week). 2) I flew into Cusco, at about 8,000 feet, a couple of days ahead of the trek to acclimate 3) I drank a lot of water and herbal tea, no alcohol, before and during the trek. In Peru coca leaves and tea are legal, and they are a great help, but you can’t resort to them in CO. Especially at first, stay aware of your body and slow down or rest if you get out of breath or your heart is pounding.</p>
<p>“Drink alot of water BEFORE you get to Colorado” - Yes ! And lots once here too.</p>
<p>[High</a> Altitude Medicine](<a href=“http://www.altitudemedicine.org/]High”>http://www.altitudemedicine.org/)</p>
<p>high altitude institute of medicine at telluride- i have heard this guy lecture- good info there</p>
<p>You can buy coca tea and even coca leaves (:eek:) on Amazon, though I have my doubts about whether they are actually legal in the U.S.</p>
<p>Ummm- might be a urine drug screen issue at work</p>
<p>Another recommendation is to spend one night at 4000 ft before going to 8000. When we went to Yellowstone we flew into bozeman Montana and spent the night. It made the transition easy for one family’s member who typically has altitude issues.</p>
<p>Yearly trips to 9000 ft and severe altitude issues,
I overnight in denver, and followed this Advil routine for last two years- IT REALLY WORKS!!!</p>
<p><a href=“Ibuprofen Can Head Off Acute Mountain Sickness, Study Finds - The New York Times”>Ibuprofen Can Head Off Acute Mountain Sickness, Study Finds - The New York Times;