RUNNING AT ALTITUDE

Running at altitude, was not so easy!!  Although Denver  is a place I've been many times, it seems no matter how many times I go there I need time to adjust to the altitude.  It seems I cannot avoid the headache although I drink tons of H2O!!  For me, personally, it is just a matter of time to adjust.  This was also a very special trip....my son got married. (He also happens to be my coach! zimmermantraining.com) Day 1 was spent getting up very early in the morning, 4am....picking up the bagels at 5am...and then heading to the airport. This is the one time in NY you can (almost) be sure there will be no traffic on the way to the airport. We arrived in Denver and spent the day meeting up with Adam, Maija, and the rest of the family.  We stayed overnight at a hotel in Lone Tree. I woke up early feeling good and ready for a short run.  It was probably not early enough because the sun was already strong. I ran a short 2 miles up and down a few small hills grateful for the sprinkler that were on in the neighborhood!! It was hot and left me a bit breathless!  The rest of the day was spent driving into the mountains to Breckenridge.  The wedding consumed a lot of our time and there was little time for trying my legs and lungs out at about 10,500 feet altitude. But as promised as a "wedding gift" to my coach, I ventured out on the morning of the wedding for a little run.  It was cool and comfortable but not so easy at altitude!! I only ran altogether about 1.5 miles.  Actually, I walked the uphills and ran the downhills. At about the half way point I heard a few cracks of thunder and thought it best to make my way back to the house!  That was the extent of running at 10,500 feet. On Sunday, the day after the wedding we took the 2 hour trip back down to Denver, a more comfortable altitude of 5, 280 feet. I took that Sunday off and did not run.  However, Monday I woke up early and was ready to tackle Chatfield State Park and the hills.  I was prepared with my water bottle and sunscreen.  I was feeling much better at this altitude for sure! I did a aprox. 4 mile run along the trail in Chatfield.  Although, some of the hills presented a bit of a challenge I was able to run almost all of it with only a minor amount of uphill walking when necessary.  For the rest of my stay during the week I did 2 more runs another 4 mile loop and a 2.5 loop. It is suffice to say that one MUST be prepared for altitude and not be nonchalant about running.  Do not assume what you can run at sea level can be done at altitude without adjusting first.Rest, hydration, rest, hydration.....oh and sunscreen...all important factors I believe are so important to remember when running at altitude. Now if I was there a bit longer, I wonder if it would have a bigger impact on my running at sea level!