Question for other runners

Personally, since I live in Michigan- I don't have this problem. However, I would say it might be a little bit of a shock to run in those different elements.
Does that mean you shouldn't do it? Heck no! Give it a go. Just be prepared for it to be different and maybe more difficult.
If you have the time to run more than once, then maybe plan an easy, short and slow run for your first one so you can adjust to the change in elevation and temperature. Your body probably won't be used to it- and it may make it a lot harder.. but that doesn't mean you can't still do it. Just don't expect any PRs right away.

Or who knows? Maybe the "thinner" air will be easier to breathe and you'll fly over the ground! There's really no way to tell. I say just try it, and see what happens. Go in with expectations that it'll be different, and then base your following runs on how the first one went.

It's generally easier to run in dryer heat, but elevation effects are always unpredictable. I know that I get altitude sickness and have to take it easy for the first several days I'm in a mountainous area (I live at sea level!). Be sure to hydrate, listen to your body, and don't push yourself too hard or you risk a killer headache or stomach issues.

Walking/hiking are great exercises that will keep you moving but leave your heart rate a little lower than running/HIIT. Enjoy your vacation! :flowerforyou:

I live in AZ and moved from Ohio (humid AF, high 80s at most in the summer) last year. My first run here was BRUTAL and it is only marginally better now. The dry air here makes me feel like I'm suffocating. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Also, go as early in the day as you can. That makes a difference too.

My brother lives in Yuma and I find it easier to run when I visit (I live in VA where it is cooler and more humid).

Ooh! My parents live in Albuquerque and used to live out in Santa Fe. I've never been to AZ, but I LOVE New Mexico and hope you have a wonderful vacation. I have lots of restaurant/things to do recs if you want some.

As for running--like you, I live at sea level in a pretty humid climate. The dryness never bothered me so much with running and it actually feels awesome in the summer, but yes, hydrate hydrate hydrate! (During the winter, I recommend saline spray for in your nose and lots of chapstick and hand lotion.) The elevation though... hoo boy. I am able to feel it even at a brisk walk. I still run, but I get winded waaaay quicker and get fatigued faster. My mom is a marathoner who has done like 17 of them including Boston and New York, and she isn't as fast out there but I think the altitude didn't hit her as hard because she already was at a high level of fitness. She has heard that it takes about a year for your body to fully acclimate to the new altitude so that you can run as fast as you do at sea level.

So running and working out might feel harder, but the good news is you will get fitter from it and you'll feel awesome when you get back to sea level. A lot of MMA fighters (including Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm) train in Albuquerque specifically because of the altitude.

A couple of years back I have to travel to Bahrain for a few weeks in the summer. The heat and humidity were drastically higher than I was used to in the UK so it did take a few runs to work out how to handle that and in the end I found what worked for me was adding in some walking intervals.

The heat and humidity had a huge impact on my times as well - I reckoned I was 6 minutes slower over 5K.