Lower elevation swimming?

Question

I'm swimming 5 times a week at a really high elevation. In a couple of weeks I will be competing at a lower elevation, 500 meters.

Does anyone know what difference this might make in time or breathing?

Answer 1

500 metres won't make much of a difference, and even if it does, you can't do much about it.

Answer 2

A dramatic change in altitude can have a significant impact on your performance.  If you drop altitude you can expect faster times, if you increase you can expect to work harder.  That's why the Kenyans are such fantastic distance runners and that's why several of the best cross country teams are in the mountain states.

Answer 3

It kind of depends on what you mean by "really high elevation," "low elevation," and how in tune you are in with your body. Conventional wisdom says you'll feel more energetic and less "out of breath" in longer events at lower altitudes compared to higher altitudes.

I once swam at a meet in Omaha. A team had come all the way from Denver. The whole team swam out of their minds -- all personal bests. I don't know how much of that was mental, general preparation, and how much was due to altitude.

Think positive thoughts!