living at sea level and racing at 6500-7000 ft
I am looking for suggestions on how to prepare for racing at higher elevations than where I am doing most of my training. Both the tough mudder and the mountain man are at what I consider high elevations.
And I get altitude sickness. 
Yes. I am a special kind of stupid. 
(or maybe just a sucker for challenges that invoke the words "insanity" and "crazy"...) 
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Comments
Not positive on this, but I think I read somewhere, maybe Daniels' book, that if you don't about 10 days to go out prior, to just go just before the race and you'll be fine. Something like keep the RPE the same as sea level and physiologically you should be good to go. But don't quote me!! Good luck.
Dan
Julia - It takes a good three weeks to fully acclimate to 7000 ft coming from sea level. Even then, the FTP reduction at this altitude is about 10%. You can improve on this A LITTLE by being very fit, but not much. There are just fewer oxygen molecules to work with up there. The RPE and HR are your best bets for pacing yourself. Start EASY, it's easy to underestimate quickly you can go anaerobic.
Another thing to remember, for before the races, is that you will dehydrate more easily at that altitude; stay topped up with fluids as soon as you arrive. Also, sleeping is often more fitfull, nothing can be done about that without some O2.
If you've got time (at least 4-5 weeks before the event), and $1,000, you might consider one of these. Since I routinely go from sea level to 8400' at least 4x a year for skiing or triathlon training, I've had personal experience with this system, and it does help a bit.
@ Al - that thing sounds pretty cool! However, don't really have the $1000 to blow... Sounds like I am just going to incorporate part II of the advice - start out slow and stay hydrated!!
@ Dan - I do hope that's true. Will root around more myself to confirm. Thanks!!
@Julia,
If you can, try to get up to similar altitude and do some race pace training. Even if it's not long enough for proper acclimation, it'll be enough for you to get some experience, to know how it feels, and to get an idea what kind of pace change you should plan on.
Mike
That's a good idea too, Mike. I will have to see if I can work that into the schedule. I can make a day of it and roll up there one day this spring after all the snow melts. Thankfully both the tough mudder and the mountain man are at similar altitudes. Thanks!!
The things that I noticed that impacted my perceived fitness as well as overall performance were that my hydration level was much more difficult to keep up. At sea level I don't really have to pay attention (other than during an actual workout), and just drink when I'm thirsty and have no issues. At altitude I have to really focus on how much water I'm drinking and when I'm drinking it. It always takes me a couple of weeks at altitude for this to become part of my routine and I almost always find myself significantly more dehydrated than expected a couple of times in the first couple of weeks.
The other major issue is that, until acclimated, I have to pay very close attention to my exertion level when training and working. As Al said, it is very easy to underestimate how quickly you can go anaerobic. The final detriment to my overall pace is actually not as bad as it seems, especially after I do a few workouts and get my new paces worked out to avoid overdoing it.
What I think is the major key to success is knowing that the change in altitude will affect you, even if it is only barely. Listen to your body a little more carefully than the average race and things should go smoothly.