Wa wa wa Wednesday! Ok not sure where THAT came from! (Probably the same place my dancing face came from…)
Anyway, yesterday I posted about my 2 week plan to get my body toned and ready for a swimsuit on our cruise. I mentioned working out twice a day. I haphazardly mentioned cardio and strength training without really thinking it through. YES I still plan to do both, but I will NOT strength train every day. I am thinking more like three times a week, and the other three would be double runs.
This works to my advantage for two reasons:
1.) It is HOT outside y’all. In case you missed my tweet earlier today, when I went to run it was 86 out with a “feels like” temp of 99!!!! Wanted. to. die. So I shortened my run and went back out again later instead of baking in the heat for too long.
2.) It will keep my energy levels up all day, and obviously, running for a longer amount of time will we beneficial. (maybe that’s three reasons?)
This article from the oh so wonderful and helpful Runner’s World gave me a few pointers when running twice in one day like building slowly, recovering right, and mix and match. Check it out, I found it very helpful! This article was also very insightful.
What I liked about the first article was how it explained the “benefit” of each “way” of doubling your runs. For instance, doing an easy 3-4 miler in the morning and an interval run in the afternoon gets blood flowing through your muscles, and provides extra aerobic work without fatigue. There are a few “combinations” given in the article that I will have to try.
I definitely only plan to run twice a day 2 days this week and 3 days next week, I don’t want to overdo it. My plan for the rest of the week is as follows:
Wednesday: cross train and weight lift
Thursday: Run twice (not sure exactly what my “plan” is for these runs yet. Suggestions?)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 5k race with the handsome guy pictured below, and an easy afternoon run if I am feeling up to it. No pressure.
So, I am very curious to hear your thoughts on running twice a day a couple of times a week. have you done it? Did it work for you? What was your plan or goal? (by the way…that’s the QOTD in case you didn’t figure it out.)
I’ve never run twice in one day, but I’m not a hard core runner either. I think I’d find it more beneficial to combo cardio and strength?
Just don’t get hurt 🙂
I run a couple times a week twice a day. Being a college athlete we had too. I think it is great but not if you rush right into it. Like going 0 miles to 30 in a week ya know? I think it really is the same thing as just upping your miles and I’d go for it. In fact-I’m doubling up today. 😉
Oh gracious, it does sound toasty out! It’s been in the high 80s here, but since I’m not running in it, I’m lovin’ it. 😉
As for your running questions – I’m not gonna lie, if I do run during the warm or freezing months, I do so inside on a treadmill. I don’t mind jogging/running when it’s spring/fall and pleasant out, but not when it’s so hot/cold. So yeah, not much help for ya here. Hope whatever you decide works out, though!!
I actually blogged something similar to this today 🙂 Basically I was traveling for work earlier this week so didn’t work out for 3 days straight. So today and tomorrow I’m doubling up on workouts. I already ran trails this morning and I’m heading to the track for a speed session after work! I definitely don’t think there’s anything wrong with doubling up on workouts and sometiems it’s just what works for your schedule.
I’ve been doing 2-a-days for a while now and it seriously gets routine. It’s a great way to make sure I get my cardio in (which keeps me energized!) on the days I want to weight train. I also set a plan in place each week to ensure I can work around my work schedule and social life to make sure my 2 a days will still happen.
When I exercised TOO much I would work out twice a day (not running but other forms of exercise). I learned that it took up too much time and that I started to feel the effects of over-training…didn’t work for me!
This is funny – I literally just had this conversation with someone yesterday. I don’t workout twice a day, but would love to now that I have a little more free time (due to moving much closer to where I work!) but would probably switch it up, like a run in the morning, and a yoga class in the evening. Not sure that I could run twice a day. Good luck these next couple of weeks – interested to hear how it goes!
I’ve done a few months of two-a-days here and there. My strategy was actually to do the harder workout first thing in the morning (speed work, or medium long distance run) and then do an easy 3-4 miles right after work. You do have to be very careful, though. I was doing 45-50 miles per week on single runs per day before gradually working my way up to 65 miles per week on double runs. So, make sure your total mileage doesn’t shoot up at a rate higher than you would normally increase it. I think doing the shorter easy run later in the day serves two purposes:
1) You dread the short, easy run less. It’s easy to get out of the door when you can tell yourself it’s a short distance at a slow pace.
2) The short, easy run serves as active recovery and helps clear out the waste products from the morning workout before you get more sedentary in the evening.
It worked well for me. I ran a 1:29:11 at the Walt Disney World half marathon training with the double runs for the last 3 months of my plan.
I used to LOVE double workouts!! I haven’t been doing them recently cos of the injury (shin splints) but I really think they’re GREAT! I think you’ll LOVE them!! 😀
I’m impressed with your plans. I’m not that motivated. It is still cold around here though. I do want to get running 3 days a week once my life calms down a bit and I’m on vacation.
Also, this has nothing to do with this post, but I came across this site on a message board I’m on and thought you’d like it if you haven’t already seen it. http://www.couponingtodisney.com/
Oh geez that does sound too hot! I’ve never tried it before but good luck!
I so agree with coach Brian. I ran xc in college and I ran twice many times. I would say thoug do a harder workout in the am, then an easy run in the afternoon. Don’t overdue it though if you aren’t used do doing so mmany miles. You are beautiful already and if you don’t change any at all befoe the cruise, you will be perfect! I’m excited about school ending (1st g teacher) and getting beach ready!! 🙂