tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post575641625187837596..comments2024-02-29T02:06:59.726-09:00Comments on Fumbling Towards Endurance: Post TransvulcaniaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-57950143571114459472012-07-17T22:35:55.234-08:002012-07-17T22:35:55.234-08:00I have had really good results doing my winter bas...I have had really good results doing my winter base training at altitude in Jackson Hole, and then going to Alaska for the summer in May to add intensity into the long runs. I seemed to have a huge advantage with endurance when I did that.<br /><br />I've never trained for anything longer than Crow Pass, but I think there's something to be said about mixing altitudes. Otherwise it's too easy to get flat. <br /><br />I once lived in Truckee, where you can get your low-altitude training 30 minutes away. Seemed like an endurance athlete's paradise. But, the sierras are epic but it's hard to beat the mountains of home.Not Specifiedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06281564829886653770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-2863200293530351572012-06-08T12:37:07.891-08:002012-06-08T12:37:07.891-08:00Hello Geoff - I just wanted to chime in my support...Hello Geoff - I just wanted to chime in my support and well wishes. Your example has motivated me to push my running beyond my usual "comfort zones" - in fact, I'll be running my first ultra in October. While I could never offer you any scientific advice, I can offer my heartfelt thanks for your example of a simple, authentic life lived in the mountains. It truly inspires sea-level city dwellers like myself (Ft Worth, TX). Humble thanks to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery!!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13001342413876427351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-3074249445094687382012-05-23T17:53:27.912-08:002012-05-23T17:53:27.912-08:00Its always nice to train at altitude and train &qu...Its always nice to train at altitude and train "scientifically" the best but I think whats the most important is your training where and with whom mean the most to you. <br /><br />21 months ago Im pretty sure, atleast for what I remember you were living in Alaska and training with the older guys; living and enjoying life. You are a lot more popular now then you were back then but that doesn't mean you have to change. Just stick to your roots and run and live how you were, which sounds like what your gonna do. Good luck!Logan Polfusshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112708988298100911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-13986755564988742262012-05-22T11:46:54.481-08:002012-05-22T11:46:54.481-08:00I've found that ferrous gluconate doesn't ...I've found that ferrous gluconate doesn't work well for me. I only have luck with supps that contain ferrous/iron bisglycinate and B vitamins. I get them from my ND, but there is one called Blood Booster that looks similar. Easier on the stomach too.Sara Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13015835021322201315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-3827473541214789552012-05-21T18:24:27.521-08:002012-05-21T18:24:27.521-08:00http://akrunning.blogspot.com/2009/09/running-and-...http://akrunning.blogspot.com/2009/09/running-and-love.htmlJames Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783964200917818090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-89987509724823920832012-05-21T15:47:52.581-08:002012-05-21T15:47:52.581-08:00I think scott jurek was low living when he was in ...I think scott jurek was low living when he was in his prime? (no offense to scott, he's still rockin')Fairbankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02146936963177981144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-61740896641234118692012-05-21T11:21:31.549-08:002012-05-21T11:21:31.549-08:00PS -- Remember how well you ran in the low country...PS -- Remember how well you ran in the low country at UROC?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-40304463584062795102012-05-21T11:17:00.334-08:002012-05-21T11:17:00.334-08:00Geoff, fascinating discussion. Here is my story o...Geoff, fascinating discussion. Here is my story of one: I moved to Ketchum, ID from the Bay Area in 2006. It took me about six months to feel good in my day-to-day running there and was strong enough to run a decent race at WS in 2007. Then, however, the cumulative time at elevation seemed to weigh me down and I had more and more trouble recovering from difficult workouts. In particular, I found that I had accumulated fatigue in my legs even months after races and I had a great deal of difficulty getting my heart rate up much past 150 (I can do sea-level track workouts where I can top out at 175 or so). I also became frustrated at my loss of speed.<br /><br />So, to combat all this, around 2009 I began making training trips to lower elevation about once a month and tried to focus on making those training bouts as intense as they could be. It seemed to work as my racing continued to go OK (but, recovery time still took forever.<br /><br />Now, I am living back at sea level and I feel much better. I even went to NM a couple weeks ago and felt surprisingly good running at 7500 feet. Best of all, I can run hard workouts and recover in time to do another one 48 hours later, which, for me, is the only way I can truly gain fitness.<br /><br />Anyway, good luck with your experiment and I'll see you in Silverton!<br /><br />AJWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-2721089035450319192012-05-21T03:46:16.823-08:002012-05-21T03:46:16.823-08:00Geoff: It took me a solid two years to totally mak...Geoff: It took me a solid two years to totally make the adjustment to living at altitude (we're at 6200 feet in Parker, which, granted, is a bit less than Nederland). It's a long process but then your body finally adjusts.<br /><br />WyattWyatt Hornsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14224514798393011001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-79750757438896522632012-05-20T21:58:02.453-08:002012-05-20T21:58:02.453-08:00Geoff - interesting stuff, and something that I th...Geoff - interesting stuff, and something that I think was suspected by a few commenters (and perhaps even you) in the past.<br /><br />There is definitely anecdotal evidence out there that living at these sort of elevations can be detrimental to performance in the way that you describe. The science in it seems to be pretty "young" at the moment.<br /><br />In any case, glad to hear you are dealing with it, and if you feel more grounded in Alaska - that is going to be 10x more beneficial than any place you live - regardless of its elevation.GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623054918799881730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-61816840780566771462012-05-20T19:04:06.072-08:002012-05-20T19:04:06.072-08:00Altitude will absolutely slow the paces of your tr...Altitude will absolutely slow the paces of your training. It will also slow the recovery process between runs. Altitude also increases reliance on carbohydrate metabolism. In most instances the hematological benefits of living high outweigh the other costs for ultra training but at a competitive 50 miler it's absolutely possible that the speed/strength/pop you miss out on when training at high altitude become necessary to win. However, I think some structured training might allow you to maintain the pop in your legs, whether training at altitude or sea level. Structured training does not preclude you from enjoying long runs in the mountains, rather it may add some specific intensity work (which does not necessarily mean running around a track!) and regular prescribed rest periods. I bet this would allow you to better adapt to your training and compete at the level you want to compete at.Adam St.Pierrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17567665074448450839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-25615447569132512982012-05-20T19:00:03.147-08:002012-05-20T19:00:03.147-08:00Geoff:
Thank you for once again posting even when...Geoff:<br /><br />Thank you for once again posting even when things are not going as well with your running as you would like. It is easy to be communicative and post when things are easy and racing is going well. It is much harder to come on here and offer something of yourself to all of us who follow your blog when running is a bit confusing. Kudos for being a stand-up guy and allowing all of us a glimpse into a and perhaps the opportunity to learn from your rough patch.<br /><br />My $.02. Start training as if you want to get your 10 km pr.Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07211770147671970928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-82470507924229166132012-05-20T18:59:03.627-08:002012-05-20T18:59:03.627-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07211770147671970928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-69822591522781178852012-05-20T12:57:16.383-08:002012-05-20T12:57:16.383-08:00Geoff, I think you're right on in your trainin...Geoff, I think you're right on in your training analysis. My wife and I moved to Colorado Springs a month ago. I've certainly realized I won't be setting any PR's while at altitude due to the lower O2 count. It's been a little frustrating trying to get the same turnover in my legs, though I know I'm still in the adjustment phase. <br /><br />Sounds like AK will be coming just at the right time for you. I think the steep climbs you're accustomed to there will serve you quite well as you prep for Hardrock.<br /><br />Keep you head upC.J. Hitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05051142358325744185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-65600021293619580962012-05-20T11:24:10.257-08:002012-05-20T11:24:10.257-08:00I am a guy who has lived a life at sea level. Las...I am a guy who has lived a life at sea level. Last summer and the one before I spent several glorious weeks on end in Colorado. After returning home to sea level soon after completing 100 milers at altitude each time I felt good for about a day or two- thanks to all the extra oxygen. Then immediately after the recovery re-set in from the 100s. And each time it was no 'ordinary' recovery. I knew that returning to sea level after sleeping at 8k and running higher regularly my body needed even more recovery time than usual. Last October I took a month completely off from running because I felt the lingering effects of fatigue, which I assumed, in part, resulted from the August altitude.<br /><br />You’re not alone with altitude issues. We’re all different- some can hang in altitude better than others. You’ll figure it out in time.Neal Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817697044864768312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-81213154712845564742012-05-20T11:08:01.949-08:002012-05-20T11:08:01.949-08:00Geoff,
My wife is a professor of Anatomy and Physi...Geoff,<br />My wife is a professor of Anatomy and Physiology at a university and has expressed a few doubts about your analysis.<br />First of all, there is a hierarchy of energy sources that your body will draw from. Glucose, then glycogen, then lipids (fats), then protein from muscles as purely a last resort. Have you had any major weight loss in conjunction with your other symptoms?<br />Low iron levels do take time to get back to normal. As that's the only real data (other than the way you feel). I'd give the iron levels time to revert to normal levels first.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12538956941077144152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-84862607867178618622012-05-20T09:57:12.549-08:002012-05-20T09:57:12.549-08:00This sounds all too familiar. I was diagnosed with...This sounds all too familiar. I was diagnosed with mild anemia 2 years ago and supplemented with Ferrochel iron. My levels were back to normal in 3 weeks. I moved to Telluride (8,700’) from Dallas several years ago and got slooow. Previously, coming from Dallas, I ran back to back M5’s at Hardrock and followed with pretty good runs at UTMB. Living in Telluride, I finished back in the pack at HR once and DNF’d last year at both HR and UTMB. I was aerobically fit, but physically weak.<br /><br />I’ve been back in Dallas for nearly a year and weights, plyo, intervals and uphill sprint training (treadmill) got my strength back. I’m 50 y/o, so I’m fighting a losing battle anyway, but I’m not going down easily.<br /><br />Another thing, after I ran the ITI350 in 2010, other races just didn’t seem worth a full effort. Something else I had to get over if I was to keep running and stay motivated. Physically, the ITI didn't leave me slow, if anything it’s mental.<br /><br />It'll come around, you just have to be methodical about how you build yourself up again.<br /><br />GlennGMackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16201355449110568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-24790723422487812812012-05-20T08:07:19.311-08:002012-05-20T08:07:19.311-08:00It's time: http://akrunning.blogspot.com/2011...It's time: http://akrunning.blogspot.com/2011/04/alpine-works.html<br /><br />Also, the weight training suggestion was good. Besides adding to depleted muscle mass, the strength training will boost testosterone- a key component of overall vigor. The 20 somethings are coursing with the stuff, us 30+ guys can use more.<br /><br />Good luck to you Geoff. Give us all a great show in the San Juan's this year.Stay Verticalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-10243213486027277332012-05-20T04:22:58.072-08:002012-05-20T04:22:58.072-08:00It actually may make sense, that whole thing, for ...It actually may make sense, that whole thing, for some people. Hope your move "down" helps out.Olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00493291972954387932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-64111368561486950102012-05-19T23:03:36.827-08:002012-05-19T23:03:36.827-08:00Geoff ,think Alex M'c D. said it pretty well. ...Geoff ,think Alex M'c D. said it pretty well. And echoing Al's sentiments Wishing you the best to get back on your game. aloha'sHoppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13576662789279379633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-71895450147214935842012-05-19T21:55:53.523-08:002012-05-19T21:55:53.523-08:00Good to see I am not the only one who things altit...Good to see I am not the only one who things altitude training can be overrated and not needed. Good to see you coming back "home" to the AK! Will we be seeing at any local races? As in Crow Pass this year?Jared Friesenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17144882602380798720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-46149278659431350672012-05-19T18:11:20.424-08:002012-05-19T18:11:20.424-08:00Many of the top marathon training groups subscribe...Many of the top marathon training groups subscribe to "Live high, train low". It's also common for them to get blood work regularly, so both ends of your analysis may be spot on.<br /><br />Also, don't neglect the impact that training for and racing the 350 mile snow run/hike will have had. You built DEEP SLOW fat burning aerobic base, but that's 2-3 gears away from elite 50mile racing speed.<br /><br />Personally I would dial back the mileage a notch or two and turn some 2-3 hour mountain runs into some 1 hour pep/tempo runs until you start feeling more "athletic" and then get back to HR100 training.<br /><br />my 2 centsAlex McDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14306409821857455131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-11969214146597352112012-05-19T17:28:39.338-08:002012-05-19T17:28:39.338-08:00Thanks for your blog Geoff, I enjoy reading about ...Thanks for your blog Geoff, I enjoy reading about your adventures and draw inspiration from them - no matter what speed you run. Life and time may effect your fitness for good or worse, but it's your humility and character which impress the most. Thanks for the good example: staying grounded and valuing people. Most of us never get to see the things you do, at any speed - it's fun to read about and see pictures of the "Geoff Roes Experience" (ie: the incredible pictures above the clouds in Juneau). Blessings to you and yours... BrianAvalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00161260010941714110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-10896241604635595402012-05-19T16:15:16.410-08:002012-05-19T16:15:16.410-08:00Man, there are a thousand things that could accoun...Man, there are a thousand things that could account for dead legs, and obviously low iron is one of them. Something to consider is timing; if you're taking your iron supplement in close proximity to drinking coffee, your body won't absorb it. Tea has a similar, but less pronounced, effect. As far as training goes, if I don't do some pretty fast (5k pace or less) running once a week, I start to feel like my legs lack that "pop". Maybe some intervals would help? In any case, I'm not going to pretend I know you better than you do, or that solutions are universal. But good luck, and I hope to see you running well (and fast!) again soon.Alex Beecherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903373025698480314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3807027359418593456.post-46533358264895157012012-05-19T15:16:30.514-08:002012-05-19T15:16:30.514-08:00Good luck, Geoff! Keep after it.Good luck, Geoff! Keep after it.Freebirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415493405118469817noreply@blogger.com