Hello from Flagstaff, Arizona! I arrived here on April 29th for a seven-week altitude training camp. When I told my friends I was going away to train they all wondered, “Why the heck would you leave beautiful Vancouver to go train somewhere else?” Especially when I told them I wasn’t going to hot sunny Phoenix, but Northern Arizona where it is not uncommon to get a bit of snow. Well believe it or not it DID snow the first day I arrived! Luckily it has been about 13-15C every day since.
Weather aside, there are a few main reasons why I left my wonderful home, family, friends, and pets for Flagstaff.
The more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen you carry to your muscles, and the faster you run
First, it is well known that training at altitudes (Flagstaff is at 7000ft above sea level) for a minimum of 3 weeks increases your red blood cells. The more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen you carry to your muscles, and the faster you run. So when you come down to sea level, you feel like you are flying! At least, that’s the idea. It doesn’t work for everyone, but most endurance athletes see great benefits from training at altitude.
This is my first altitude training and I am definitely sucking wind on my harder runs and workouts—there just isn’t enough oxygen! Of course, that is the point so I am excited to see how I will run and race when I come back down to sea level on May 20th.
Another benefit of going away to training camp is being in an environment where it is all about training. There are no distractions for me here in Flagstaff and I am able to devote myself 100% to my training. I am living in a house with 5 other elite distance runners. We eat, sleep, run, recover & repeat!
Elite distance runners from all over the world are here, training for this summer’s Olympic Games.
Finally, training here in Flagstaff, I am surrounded by other professional athletes. Elite distance runners from all over the world are here, training for this summer’s Olympic Games. It is extremely inspiring to go to the track on any given day and at any given time and see amazing runners from different countries just killing their workouts. It has been awesome meeting all of these talented people–and everyone is so nice here!
When you surround yourself with positive people, you will be positive too. That is why I am extremely fortunate that Innovative Fitness has made it possible for me to be away for seven weeks to concentrate fully on my training.
I am feeling really great, really happy, really excited to be here training in Flagstaff, and I am so thankful, always, for the support.
Natasha Wodak
Sponsored Athlete
Innovative Fitness Kitsilano
www.InnovativeFitness.com
Like IF – www.Facebook.com/InnovativeFitnessKitsilano
Follow IF – @IFDifference
Watch IF – www.YouTube.com/InnovativeFitness1
