Trail running at elevation.
At the top end of the competitive world of distance running even the smallest advantage becomes significant. Living and training at altitude is a popular way to achieve an advantage over those at sea level due to the changes in the body from the reduction in available oxygen in the air. I’m not an elite runner nor do I live at altitude so why should I care? I think it’s a fascination I’ve developed through running of the metamorphosis that takes place as you make your way through the training process.
The only way the body can deliver internally the required amount of oxygen to the rest of the body is to provide more vehicles. Think of the red blood cells as the pride of any middle aged balding man who seem to love red sports cars. The more you have the sexier and more fit you must be – right? The blood cells are the vehicles the body uses in the circulation system. In the thin air above 5000 feet/ 1500 meters the body is forced to adapt resulting in a higher red blood cell count. Unfortunately the adaptation doesn’t include new hair growth.
When the runner returns to sea level their body maintains the red blood cell transformation for several days. I’m still working on the sexy, hair growth components, I’ll report back later. The running process is made of a group of systems within the body, each working together. A greater amount of red blood cells in the system allows the body to work less at circulation and more towards the other components of running quickly. When less effort is required or is done more efficiently the extra effort saved can be used by the other parts of the system. Some choose to focus this extra energy on changing the channel on TV while others seem interested in silly things like running faster. The body always chooses to run faster.
East Africa Elevation Map
Ways of achieving this effect other then simply living at altitude is through the process of “doping” where extra red blood cells are added to the body through a transfusion. The number of scandals in professional sports on the topic suggest that it’s a common practice. It’s sad when greed replaces the desire to excel for greater personal causes. Doping is band in competitive running, I would hope for moral reasons but I’m not convinced. Another method is sleeping/living in an altitude chamber while training at sea level. An example of such a project using this method is the Nike Oregon Project which has produced some notable results. Interesting how sticking the name “Nike” in the practice somehow makes the efforts “respectable”.
Runners born and raised in Kenya in the Rift Valley live at 1700 meters. It’s claimed that the altitude is possibly one of the reasons for their long standing success. This seems like a fair and reasonable advantage as it’s simply a product of their heritage. Certainly not every Kenya is a fast runner unlike when someone dopes which always produces tangible results.
Perhaps I should spend some time running in the hills of New Mexico near my family for my next training cycle to see if it makes a difference? If only I was an elite runner where there would really be a need to be concerned with such details. More likely I’d go to enjoy running the trails which of course tends to one of the other running systems in your body improving – the soul.
Tags: kenya, running biology
Nothing new going on in the running world? That’s hard to believe.
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I’ve been wondering what’s keeping me from making the next post. I think I have it figured out. I’m feeling a little pressure with my recent races. I had hoped I was going to get some feedback on my fitness from the Loop the Lake half marathon last week but it ended up being a really poor event to gauge anything by. I’ll post more on this shortly but that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.