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Gas Mask Running to Simulate High Altitude

by Jason
(Louisville, KY)

I have recently been training for my first triathlon and I have began to use a gas mask when I run and bike. Are there any health risks to doing this and have you heard of this before. I figured it would simulate high altitude training with less oxygen, or maybe I am just an idiot who loves torture. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Jason


Answer by Dominique:


Jason!
A very interesting approach...
I have not heard of this type of running training before.

It is probably better to take off the gas mask for now.

High altitude running is not guaranteed to deliver best results. For a start, it makes it harder initially to do your running training sessions. You run out of breath quicker, you can't go for as long or as fast. Only after a longer time you start to adjust and cope with the less oxygen in the air. At first it is actually a little detrimental to your running training.

I experienced this first hand when I lived in Colorado for six months when I went on a student exchange to Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). The first few weeks running was awful.
When I returned to Holland after six months, I expected that I'd benefit an incredible lot from running at high altitude, but ended up being a bit disappointed. Nothing seemed to have changed.
High altitude running is not a guarantee to optimal results, although there are plenty of runners who benefit from it.

Considering that gas mask running is not the same as high altitude running I very much doubt that it will help your running (and cycling).
However, maybe you are not just torturing yourself, but a true visionary.

See for yourself what you want to do, but I wouldn't do it.
Most remarkable question I have had for a while though!

Best of luck with your running (with or without The Mask).
Cheers,
Dominique