Anyone seen/have wattage figures for a sub-12-hour Leadville MTB 100 race?
I finished with a guy who said he averaged 249 watts for the 7:13min He was about 150 lbs. He said he did 6300kjs. That means I probably had a 7000kj day!
I’d kill for this, too. Found a few race files on Garmin Connect, but nobody with power. I’d love to see someone’s power who was in the 10 hour range. Combine that with someone that’s closer to 200 pounds, and I’d be ecstatic. 
–Donnie
Assuming you guys are in for the race?what is your plan on getting there? Im coming from NJ and just trying to figure out if I should just fly in the night before or… Thoughts?
Yes, in for the race. Hoping to make it to Colorado (from sea level Houston) to get acclimated a few days beforehand…
Assuming you guys are in for the race?what is your plan on getting there? Im coming from NJ and just trying to figure out if I should just fly in the night before or… Thoughts?
Racing LV with no training at altitude is going to hurt. Flying in the night before will make it hut a lot more.
Do a search for “Leadville” and you’ll see a couple recent threads with some info about others here on ST who are doing Leadville and what they plan to do.
I’m hard-core in that I have altitude problems already so I’m already sleeping in an altitude tent. On top of that, I plan to hit that area just under three weeks before the race to pre-ride the course (in sections) and acclimate. I’m a 200 pounder who is training hard, but so far my max on a bike of any kind is 61 miles. Should eclipse that on Thursday on an MTB on gravel roads, but probably only by three or four miles. I’ll be doing a road century in a couple months and a bunch more long events between now and then, too.
I’ve got a small RV, so I’m going to probably get to Denver right at three weeks out and work my way up over the next few days and spend at least two weeks in Leadville before the race. Got a spot at the campground in town already, and also have a house for the race weekend in town since I have some family and friends coming in for the race, too.
–Donnie
wow 249 watts over that time !
wow 249 watts over that time !
Not terribly surprising, as that’s only 45 minutes off Lance/Levi territory. But power should be able to drop dramatically to finish in the 10-12 hour range. I hope. 
–Donnie
You will be surprised at how little power you will generate at such high elevation if you are not accustomed to training at elevation. The last time I rode up Mt. Evans (starting elevation ~7,500 and summit at over 14,000) I recorded my wattage and HR and there was little in common with my efforts on normal rides around Boulder.
Yes, I’ve read the drop-off can be more than 20% at 10,000’, according to some, e.g. http://www.twowheelblogs.com/how-altitude-affects-power-output.
Sea level to altitude is tough, particularly at Leadville heights. That said, there is good evidence to suggest that performance and perceived exertion levels are better with arrival at altitude close to race start, hence the fly in the day before idea. I always perform worse on days 3-5 at altitude versus 1st day up.
Sea level to altitude is tough, particularly at Leadville heights. That said, there is good evidence to suggest that performance and perceived exertion levels are better with arrival at altitude close to race start, hence the fly in the day before idea. I always perform worse on days 3-5 at altitude versus 1st day up.
Is that still true for a race that is probably going to take most 9-12 hours? I’m just curious, I have no idea. I’ve heard that theory plenty of times, but just can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a point at which it still catches up with you. I’m sure many of the folks who espouse that theory are “only” racing something around half that or less. shrug
Or are there full-IM types who go from sea-level to 8k+ the day before, too?
–Donnie
Oh, the elevation is going to make itself felt plenty, particularly when you’re above 8K. That’s not the question, it’s a matter of how much and what you can do to minimize the influence.
Sea level to altitude is tough, particularly at Leadville heights. That said, there is good evidence to suggest that performance and perceived exertion levels are better with arrival at altitude close to race start, hence the fly in the day before idea. I always perform worse on days 3-5 at altitude versus 1st day up.
I have heard this but was never able to find data to support it. I have done the Bob Cook race in Colorado twice. Idaho Springs to the top of Mt Evans. I arrived the Sunday before both times. First year road up the east side of Loveland Pass Sunday evening and it hurt. Tuesday road the top half of Evans and felt ok. Thursday did a flat ride in vail and felt good. Felt great on Saturday. Finished 24th in the 30-39 Citizens division. Last year, road bottom half of Evans on Sunday evening into a headwind. It hurt. Tuesday rode top half felt good. Thursday flat ride around vail. Saturday I felt great finished 12th in same category…not bad for a guy that lives and trains in KC.
The biggest thing I notice is my resting HR. Monday 84, Tuesday 76, wedesday 70 Thursday 64 and Friday 60. Here in KC at the same time I am at 53. Forgot to take hr on race day (Saturday) both years.
I would take as much time as I could to acclimate. Just my 1N
Oh, the elevation is going to make itself felt plenty, particularly when you’re above 8K. That’s not the question, it’s a matter of how much and what you can do to minimize the influence.
I completely agree. Live in KC and have done Mt Lemmon twice and Haleakala once. Didn’t feel the altitude until 8k with no time to acclimate.
Anyone seen/have wattage figures for a successful sub-12-hour Leadville MTB 100 race?
FWIW…For the Bob Cook Race (starts at 7.5k and ends at 14.1k in 27 miles), my power was down about 8% both years compared to KC.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101319842#.T0xZJ9BcHOw.mailto
You will feel the altitude well before you get out of the car after driving from Denver to LV.
I recommend that you fly in to Denver 2 days before the race. Stay the night somewhere on the front range at 5000ft. Go up early the next day to get situated.
I hear no one talking of extra hydration for this event. Before and during. I drank over 200 oz for my Leadville. I used a few camelbacks.
I have only one Leadville under my belt…but a successful one. I am happy to share my entire game plan that netted a 7:13.
PT
If you can, work your way up slowly. Just grease it. 5300 for a week, 7000 for a week. A few days in Leadville mixed in, just to ride the course…don’t even sleep up there…more that likely, you will just be tired if you go from sea level to 10k. Just my thoughts. Also, try to keep it lean!
10:44 last year. No power meter but i know my watts based on years of road riding with a PM. My effort was a bit less than IM, so about 180 watts plus or minus 15w i bet…just an estimate…I weigh 180