Albaquerque/alamagordo NM - running?

There are lots of people who go to Albuquerque to train. Eddy Hellebuck has a group there, the Italian marathon team has trained there, KK, the Husseins, etc. Alamogordo--not to sure about...the altitude is lower (4300) but Cloudcroft (over 7000) is just 35 minutes away up the mountain. The wind sucks in Alamo...blows off of White Sands nearly always.

You don't say how fast yo are hoping to run...there is a group forming in Las Vegas (NM). Currently the winner of the 2001 Duke City marathon (2:32), a DII cross-country All-American, another 31min 10k guy and the number two runner from Athletics East at nationals are going to be traiining together. They are all 23-25 years old and just getting serious. Las Vegas is 6500 feet, has access to good mountains, 3 all-weather tracks, a university and a very low cost of living.

good tip on las vegas, nm. i drove through there after a backpacking trip in october and wondered why no one's training there. it seemed like a decent enough place, and looked like the cost of living should be low enough. my one big question was about the wind - it was blowing like crazy when i was there, and i wondered if that was the norm. otherwise, looked like it would be a great place.

Yeah Vegas seems pretty decent. The only problem I see is the temperature in the summer. I was walking down the strip and it felt like someone was blowing me with a giant hair dryer. JasoninThailand, can you enlighten us as to how good LV is for training?

Being from Las Cruces, i've always thought that Cloudcroft would be a great place to train. It is at 7000, with some of the better trails at 7500 to 8000. It won't be the cheapest place to live, being a tourist town, and I'm not sure what you would do for a job there. I don't know of anybody to train with either, and the high school track isn't good, to say the least. Albuquerque is a little outside my expertise, but it's cheaper than most places across the country, and has the type of people mentioned above, and a great running environment. Las Vegas, NM would seem like a good option. Rock bottom cost of living (quality of living too), and you'll train hard, because there's absolutely nothing to do. It's more or less impossible to avoid the wind from March to May in NM. Good luck.

The weather in Vegas is actually pretty good. A little wind in the spring, definitely four seasons, but never really extreme. Plus they've got five ski resorts within 90 mins. The dig at rock-bottom quality of life was kinda low. Depends on what you want...

Sorry 'bout the dig- I actually miss small town NM. What I was trying to convey to any possible city-dwellers is that living in Las Vegas will be different to say the least. If I were in real estate, I'd call it a "distraction-free training environment." After all, it's not like Cruces is that much different, right ;-)

...you're right about Vegas being "distraction free"...at least in Cruces you get the occasional big-name concert at the Pan-Am Center.

Probably also worth mentioning that until recently (i.e. UNM hiring the Henry's) NM Highlands was the best school in NM for developing distance runners, and pretty regularly better at XC than the state's 2 D1 institutions.

I keep hearing that Albuquerque is the place to go in the summer....what specific parks are there to run at? are there tons of trials or what? please gimme info as i am very interested, thanks! Albuquerque

Hulst: wrong Vegas. Las Vegas, NEW MEXICO.

i was under the impression that cloudcroft was closer to 9000', even before i saw it on the c'o'c site. i have always thought it would be a great place to train, too, especially during the summer. one might be able to find work with the forest service there or maybe even with the city/county or in one of the tourist trap shops or restaurants. another option might be ruidoso.

there are plenty of parks if you want to run around soccer fields. The trails in the foothills of the Sandia mountains are good...La Luz trail for the people interested in a 4000ft increase in alt. from start to finish. You can run on the soft dirt trails along the rio grande as well. UNM track is full of international world class talent year round, as well as the Academy HS track. Unfortunately cost of living is actually kind of high considering the job market.

Thanks for the help guys. I'm a 2:22 guy and still a bit undecided. Albu and Vegas sound like they've got potential. I did some training before my first marathon in Boulder and it's hard to think many places rival it. (although it would be optimum to live at 8,000 feet rather than the 5400ish that boulder offers) When are these other guys planning on heading out as well as racing. I was considering early january and getting ready for London or something in that time frame.

thanks again-

Movin-

Where are you currenlty living? Are you dead set on an altitude environment? I may have another option for you. Email me if interested?

grouprun@yahoo.com

The group in Vegas is getting together in early Jan. The marathon guy is looking at a marathon in the first week of May. The others will be focusing on building mileage (currently at 80-90 miles per week) and then an outdoor track season beginning in mid-April (5k/10k). Don't know that they are at your ability level, but all are serious about working hard and getting faster.

What is the job situation like in Las Vegas, NM? Are there jobs with flexible schedules? How big is the college? What would yo pay on average for a 2 bedroom apartment?

I have spent a lot of time in Albuquerque Jan- April, good place although the logical looking place to go if you want higher is Santa Fe. Anyone have thoughts on Santa Fe, have you been ? Vegas? Or of course there is always the short trip to Flagstaff - any thoughts on any of these locations.

Thanks much

Santa Fe is a great place to visit, but who can afford to live there? Housing is extremely expensive and the city council has had to fight businesses to provide a minimum "living-wage"...Vegas is very reasonable--2 bedroom houses and apartments can be had for $350-$550. My assistant coach lives in a two-bedroom duplex for $350. Jobs are not plentiful...the same service-type jobs as Santa Fe are here, a call center employs people 24 hrs. and offers flexible schedules as does the 24hr Wal-Mart, the University offers a lot of grad assistantships, the two school districts are dying for substitute teachers everyday--you could call your own shots there (pay is only like $45/day)...the university has about 2200 students...competes in DII with Adams St., Western St., UC-Springs, Fort Hays, etc.

Coach D,

Would you say that Santa Fe or L Vegas have good training terrain, or is it mainly road. Also is the weather an issue in Jan Feb March as i know Alb is milder in these months.