Leadville Stage Race Training

I am currently working a training plan with the focus on the Leadville Stage Race July 24-26. I live at 3,200 elevation and starting on or about July 9/10 I will be arriving at 10k elevation to aclimate. The last several weeks prior to the race are fairly intense. How should I modify my plan so that I maintain my fitness while I adapt to the significant increase in elevation. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

My advice - 2 Week Taper. Do NOT overdo it especially the week before the race, and do not overdo it when you’re acclimating to altitude. Basically - maintain a little intensity, but drop your volume by ~40%. If you’re coming from Sea Level, your FTP effectively drops by 18-22% depending on the individual, so remember to change all your zones, but it’ll be a couple percent less than that coming from 3,200’.

Lots of thoughts on this in the Leadville Threads so you might check there.

Also - watch the fire that’s burning right now. About half the course is currently closed. We all need to get lucky or both the Stage Race and 100 are in jeopardy for being canceled.

When I saw UT/CO having a horrid year for snowpack, this was my fear. So much work goes into either of the Leadville races but fire and smoke can easily put the kibosh on one or both races. :crossed_fingers:t2:everyone gets to race safely this year.