In the article about Webb linked on the front page:
http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20021229-71344372.htm
It says that he is going to altitude for 3.5 weeks. Will this do anything for you at such a short time frame??? I thought it took 10 days to get adjusted? I don't know much about altitude training that is why I am asking.
Steve Cram used to go to Boulder for 3 weeks of altitude training in March at the end of his "endurance" phase - did it help him physiologically? or was it simply a psychological benefit from changing the training location?
This may be an experiment (as with Cram) to see if Webb can actually benefit from altitude training.
actually 3 to 4 weeks is all the time that is needed to gain all of the benefits of altitude training. Most of the top athletes do 3-4 short i.e. 3 to 4 weeks at altitude before their major competition season begins.
It usually takes about 3-4 MONTHS at altitude before ALL the adaptations are complete. Webb might be using this as a trial period, though. They COULD test for an erythropietin boost after two or three DAYS, becuase Epo usually peaks within the first two days in "responders". But most of the metabolic changes occur after 3-4 weeks, so that's about the minimum time for acsertaining the effectiveness of the situation.