by: Gene Thibeault
From Suzi T's Trails 100's Newsletter, edition #? 1994
I have two consuming passions. One is running ultras on trails - the more difficult the terrain the better - and the other is mountaineering - crampons and ice axe-type stuff. Both involve many hours or even days of incredible scenery, extreme effort, and self-fulfillment. They also inevitably involve altitude and what to do about it.
In 1998 I took a climbing trip to the Cordillia Real in Bolivia and was able to climb five peaks ranging in elevation form 17,500 ft to 21,200 ft. I have also run both Wasatch and Leadville, finishing tied for ninth at Leadville. I guess I'm sort of an altitude junkie. This article will try to merge what I know about the two sports and their approaches to "going high."
The body responds in various ways to high elevations (8,000+ ft). Initially your heart rate will increase as will your breathing rate. No surprises here. Your ability to perform maximum work (run) will be diminished by 3% for each 1,000 ft over 5,000. The key word is maximum. In other words, don't push it, even if you feel strong. There are several lethal things that can happen at very high elevations (14,000+ ft) such as pulmonary edema and cerebral edema, but the malady that affects ultrarunners at Leadville, Wasatch, and other high altitude runs is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
The symptoms include severe headache, weakness, loss of appetite, insomnia, shortness of breath and vomiting. Swelling of fingers (rings off) and toes and a hacking cough are often associated with AMS. It can affect people as low as 6,000 ft or not until 14,000 ft. It doesn't matter if you are in top condition, male or female. It tends to affect younger people more than the masters. In short, you would rather crawl under a rock and die than run one mile, not to mention 100.
But wait, this affliction needn't stop any well-conditioned ultra runner from the completion of his duty. The magic word is ACCLIMATIZATION! The climber's formula: spend a day acclimatizing for every 1,000 ft above 5,000 ft. In other words, a minimum of 5 to seven days in Leadville should help. If you have time drive to the race. This way you can add a few thousand feet at a time instead of suddenly sleeping at 10,000. Don't attempt to train when you first arrive at high elevation! Your body is going through enough stress already. Put your feet up, rest, and
