Let the 2-a-days begin

Update: I recently ran a 5k in Van Meter, IA and not only pr'd my 5k but also placed 1st in my age group!!!!! PR - 24:02 and don't tell anyone, but I was the only person in the 20-29 males bracket so I was pretty much guaranteed a medal :)

Now that Dam to Dam is over with I finally decided that now is the time to start my 2-a-day training. I am doing it very smart though as not to hurt myself. I thought about jumping in head first and just running twice a day to prepare, but I know that with a few months still, I have some time to prepare for the 2 runs. I am doing some cross training along with a run.

Yesterday I decided that I was going to get up and hit the gym early as to not miss my chance at getting a great workout in. I got to the gym around 6:00am and jumped on a bike. Now I will say that typically I don't like the bikes at the gym for a couple of reasons. 1) The same reason I don't like the treadmills, you are going no where for a long period of time. 2) The seats are REALLY hard. I don't know what it is, even if I switch up different bikes their seats tend to hurt.......my seat. But anyway, I got on and drifted into unconsciousness listening to a really good audio book. Before I knew it I had worked up a good sweat and looked down to see 21.4 miles!!!!! That is officially the most I have ever ridden on a stationary bike, with minimal discomfort. There is power when you lose focus on something difficult and immerse yourself in a good book. Afterward, I did some light weights before heading off to shower.

I went and showered, hydrated, ate a little bit and to work. At about 11:00 am I went back down to the gym to head outside for my second workout of the day. I threw on my garmin, ipod and repeated what I did earlier in the day. I put on the same audio book and just lost myself. I checked my watch a few times but tried not to focus on my second workout of the day. When all was said and done I ran 5.05 miles in 44:45. Not a bad time.

Today is the day after and I actually feel great. My plan is to do two 2-a-days a week for the next 2 weeks, jump up to 3 for about a month and so on until the big week. I am working with some great people in a small running group on how to train effectively using more cross training than I have ever done. It is going to be an interesting change of pace and will probably end up turning into a "tri junkie"

Please continue to pray for our continued success training and fundraising. We are hoping to start distributing material at POG in the coming weeks to get the word out. Again, if you know of sponsors that would be interested, we are always looking to add people.

Stay Strong, Run Long
Brad.