3 weeks at altitude... beneficial?

It might be not beneficial from a pure performance point of few but I would think that exploring some trails in Colorado is much nicer than running at the Outer Banks.

I always heard that 2 weeks was the minimum to see a real benefit. I spent a month in Colorado many years ago and definitely felt stronger when I returned to sea level. So, I think that 3 weeks would be beneficial, especially if you're sleeping above 7k and are able to train at a decent level. Remember that you're going to feel like garbage for the first week and should plan to run easy until you acclimate.

In August, the outer banks are hot and humid. Run at dawn. The only place to run there is the bikepath that parellels the main drag, Kitty Hawk Woods, and Jockey's Ridge. But the beach and restaurants are nice.

I wouldn't be a brat - its north carolina, not florida, you'll be able to train. Outer Banks is a much more laid back vacation spot than CO. You're a decent runner, but not like 3 weeks of altitude is going to put you at the level of competing for a state title.

Run early and late if you are doubling, enjoy the beach. When you make your own money you can go to CO. Your parents work for their money and want to go to the beach tough luck. Be grateful they can afford a 3 week vacation - most families can afford a week at most.

Maybe its different for rich kids, but I know if I told my parents I didn't want to go to the outer banks growing up, they'd have become quite upset to say the least. I have fond memories of laid back days spent in the outer banks. Florida was more interesting from a running standpoint, but harder to train as well.

Years later, I have fond memories of training in the mountains of NC as well - which I paid to do with my own money.

As a 17 year old, you need to remember its your parents vacation, not yours, you don't earn money and aren't paying for it. If your parents were avid athletes or hikers who wanted to go to colorado that would be one thing, but I'm guessing they are typical suburbanites.

You need to focus on getting fast and going to a decent school at altitude if you want to train at altitude so bad. Newsflash though - you'll be better off training at a school at sea level with good trails than somewhere like U Denver since you aren't fast enough to run for the top schools at altitude - focus on changing that not whether you have to go to the beach or not. Chances are your parents booked their house/condo/whatever months ago anyways. Worry about the other 10 weeks of summer.

Reverse question, how much does a 3 week vacation at sea level mess you up when going back up to elevation?

Cause damn is running hard right now

Agree. Not a state title but I do hope to be competitive at states. I’ve only been running for 2 years and averaged 35 a week or so so think my upside is good. My coach has me doing more like 55-65 this summer after successfully running 40-45 for a stretch this winter with no issues.

My dad was an ex D1 runner in the 90s who spent a summer in Colorado. So he gets it. Yes we’re fortunate to be able to do something like this. My family equally enjoys beach and activities.

If you've lived at altitude, not a whole lot. East Africans base themselves in Europe for a couple months and still run well in late summer.

Get in a race or 2 at sea level though, you might set a new pr.

Well obviously its not your choice. If your dad had just asked hey hopper do you want to go to colorado springs or nags head on vacation, you'd have said Co Springs, thought what a weird question, the outer banks will get boring in a few days, and never made a thread.

I can't imagine your family will want to change their vacation plans because maybe maybe - outside possibility you could be a factor at the state meet. Your training is irrelevant to the situation. You are going to have to find a way to maintain it in the hot, humid outer banks - which shouldn't be too hard at 65 a week really.

A lot of posters are misreading the OP's post. He said his parents are debating renting a house in the Outer Banks OR Colorado. They haven't decided yet...

3 weeks at SL for me and returning to moderate altitude (6200ish feet, but at times runs were higher) would ding me a bit even after living at altitude for 20 years. Lots of individual variation.

I think in reality they have decided and of is trying to convince them to change their minds. Who on this board would pick nags head over Colorado? Especially for an extended trip of more than a week.

There is no situation where training in the outer Banks is fun for more than a couple days unless you are coming from the inland south.

If it was at the beginning of summer, I'd say it won't make a difference. But 3 weeks right before you go into fall XC? Yeah you'll definitely get some benefit. Do a few reps on the Manitou Incline.

The actual answer is that three weeks at altitude is barely enough to move the needle, from a scientific standpoint. Three weeks is the minimum exposure a highly trained individual can benefit from. To account for an initial adjustment period, four+ weeks is preferable.

If you and your coach aren’t familiar with adapting the training for an altitude camp, it becomes even more difficult to gain benefit from a three-week stint.

altitude training is definitely beneficial for your social media game.

Oh boy, time to get moralized to by a bunch of people who couldn't afford vacations as a child. I would lobby for Colorado, but both sound great. I would tell you to be cool with whatever your parents decide, but I didn't get the sense you wouldn't be.

This is correct. The parents also like Colorado. It isn't like he's being a brat for putting his thumb on the scale and trying to tip the vote in favor of CO. They can always override him if they get a great deal on a place in the Outer Banks.

We always ask the kids for their input on vacations. Sometimes we decide, sometimes the kids tip the vote in their favor...

p.s. I do think it will help. You'll run so much more and be more stoked. Plus hilly runs are the best kind of Summer training. Big mileage in the mountains at altitude? That sounds awesome. I love the beach (for a few days) but running there always seems boring to me. It is either up the coast or down the coast, right?

Also keep into account that the benefit dissipates fairly quickly as well.

3 weeks @ altitude isn't really enough to make real benefits, especially if you live at sea level & have never spent time that high up. It'll take 2 weeks to get comfortable with it. You shouldn't try to run hard workouts for a week. Week 2 workouts will feel better. Week 3 you'll start to turn the corner just as you're getting ready to leave. You could argue that it would interrupt training more to go to Colorado. I don't think it really matters. I'd rather be hiking in Colorado. Outer Banks you could do normal training. Can't make a bad decision. If you end up in Colorado make pace adjustments or you'll end up regretting not doing so.