Running Twice Per Day

Should you run twice per day? Pete Pfitzinger, M.S. says no to runners training for marathons and running less than 75 miles per week. He makes some good arguments. One such being that you should get used to depleting glycogen reserves and utilizing more fat.

I did some quick research on this issue after choosing to split my long run for the week. I chose to do this because I feared that, if I didn't, I'd overtax my body ahead of the Torrington Road Race.

I did my first ever double-day of running today, doing two legs, one in the AM and one in the PM, of 5.5 miles. I ran the first leg at a 10:30 pace and the second at slighly under a 10:00 pace. I felt much stronger during the evening leg; however, I started feeling the day's work at about 45 minutes in, particularly in my calf muscles. For a runner of my caliber, that's what 25.6 miles in 4 days will do to you.

I look forward to the race on Sunday and the break from doing 10+ miles in one day until next Saturday, August 18th, when I'll do between 13 and 14 miles.

I remembered this evening how lucky I am to be able to run.