How to Effectively Train for High Altitude Running



Altitude training is in every training regimen of all the best athletes. This must make you wonder how important it is for you to get some altitude training before that marathon you have in the next few months. Altitude training for runners especially is a must as it is a way to prepare them both mentally and physically for what is ahead, which often reaps the best results.
Although it takes a while for the body to get used to the altitude, scientists insist that this is the best way for athletes to train their bodies.
It takes money and time to train at a higher altitude since you have to sign up with a camp run. This means, for the average athlete, it might be hard to get to train at altitude. But, one has to remember the benefits that come with this training and how much difference they will make during the actual race.

Of course, you have to consider the side effects that one experiences during their time at a higher altitude and whether the benefits are worth the risk. Although it is advised that you train continuously for a longer period (preferably more than two months), you can also make the little time you have on the mountains worthwhile.
For the first few days, it is entirely normal to experience some side effects to the high altitude weather. These effects include; nausea, poor sleep, headaches, and a few more depending on your body’s adaptation to the environment change.
Taking this into consideration, you must have second thoughts on whether to enroll in some of the best training camps in Kenya and whether they will make a difference to your usual training regimen.
The truth is, it does make a difference with a lot of effort from your part and discipline to go with it. You’ll be required to strictly follow all the advice given by the lead trainers in the camp to see the benefits of altitude training.

What You Should Know


During the first few days in the mountains, you are not supposed to engage in any activities. Why must you ask? Well, because your body is still adapting to the low oxygen available and hence working it out will leave you worn out and unable to train much which is a complete waste of time and the money you paid to the Kenya running camp.
Your body’s reaction to the limited oxygen is critical and hence the process should be left to go smoothly and effectively. 

When you first arrive in the mountains, your body immediately struggles to take in as much oxygen as possible - and since it seems like an impossible task with the readily available red blood cells. The information is sent kidneys which in turn create more red blood cells. This process takes a 3 to 7 days max which is what you need to let the process go smoothly.
The red blood cells help carry more oxygen into the blood and hence functions as it would at a low altitude. 

What to do

 In the 1 to 3 days, you are encouraged to take your time and relax, let your body adjust to the environment and begin the process of making more red blood cells.

You can walk around in one of the best training camps in Kenya and learn a few things that might help you during your training at the camp.

If you can afford to stay more than a few weeks in the mountains, then it is recommended that you take longer than three days to chill.
On day 4 to 7, you can start doing some morning runs. Don’t sweat it out too much because you want to allow the body’s processes to continue without disruption. The essence of taking time for your body is to prevent the side effects mentioned earlier from taking place. In other words, you are safeguarding your body.
During the last few days of the first week, you should avoid workouts since you are still adjusting to the new way of training and pushing your body too hard before its ready might lead to its breaking point.

After allowing your body some adjustment time, then you can hit the road. Yes, you are ready. In the Kenya running camp, you will be given guidelines that you are supposed to follow and estimates that you are supposed to reach. This will help your training and allow your mind and body to adapt. Altitude training is all about the effort you put into the running and not the pace.

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