in the red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.  With higher hemoglobin levels, many athletes realize increases in endurance, power and speed upon returning to sea level. However, since hemoglobin levels remain high for only about ten to fourteen days, the timing of the trip was key.

             Jillian’s stay at the Olympic Training Center was from June 9 to June 20.  The first week was a continuation of the intense training that she had been doing since the beginning of April.  The second week included a gradual decrease in yardage.  She returned to sea level eleven days before her event at Trials—planned perfectly so that she would have enough time to fully taper yet still be able to reap the benefits of altitude training. 

             The strategizing and intense training paid off as Jillian swam a lifetime best of 2:19.55 at Olympic Trials.

             Now, with her eyes set on scoring points in several events at Junior Nationals in August, Jillian is ready to rev up her training again to be followed by a taper.  A pro at the process, Jillian said, “I have gone through this training cycle before so I don’t see it as much of an issue.”       

~by Arlene Dougals

Arlene Douglas will be entering her Senior year at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, N.J.