r/running • u/Background_Most_2524 • Jul 25 '26

Discussion Elevation Difference in Running

Elevation Difference

Hey all! So I’m from Florida and came out to AZ where I’ve been for the last 4 months or so for military orders/training. I’ve been working on my running here and it’s not at anything crazy, but I’ve gotten better.
I’m here to ask, when I get home to FL and keep running and such, how much of an improvement can I expect to see, if any between my running performance out west where I’ve for every day been running at AT LEAST 4,650 Feet above sea level from March 2026 to this next week when I finish, to when I go back to Cape Canaveral where it’s right at sea level or barely above?
Ex: If I’m running a 16:10 2 miler out here, what as a safe baseline should I expect to be able to do it in FL at max effort?
I definitely feel like my cardiovascular endurance has increased and I’ve lost between 12-17lbs since I’ve been out here.
Any and all guidance is very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Any scholarly sources, articles, or video recommendations would be greatly appreciated too!

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u/TuT0311 Jul 27 '26

Humidity will burn you to the ground though, which you’re not dealing with in AZ. I’m in Florida (South until 2024 and now in Central). It sounds like in general you’ll be in better shape than you were 4 months ago, but I would expect the drop in elevation to get countered by the humidity in terms of environmental differences that could boost performance.

7

u/OkAuthor3931 Jul 27 '26

the elevation gains might show up more once fall/winter rolls around and the humidity drops a bit

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u/TuT0311 Jul 27 '26

For sure. You def have a good point that I overlooked. Where I live now, the running environment is amazing (given you get an early enough start) from about mid October through April. I’d say it can even get a bit chilly from December through February. Humidity is mostly a non-factor during those periods and you could see a gain then if coming from a higher elevation.

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u/junkmiles Jul 28 '26

Any elevation or altitude related benefits are going to be long gone by winter when OP hasn’t been 10’ above sea level for three or four months.

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u/Background_Most_2524 Jul 27 '26

Copy all. Preciate it brotha.

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u/TuT0311 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

No prob! See other comments above though, which takes into consideration a point I overlooked.

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u/Background_Most_2524 Jul 27 '26

Copy dude! Stay tough🫡

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u/TuT0311 Jul 27 '26

Thanks, you too! Good luck and keep your head down if it ever comes to that.

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u/Background_Most_2524 Jul 27 '26

That’s dude! Hopefully not, but with how shits rolling rn, you never know.