A Cross Training Day...

03/15/2013

Since I have started this blog I have been talking a lot about training, racing, working hard. But today we are going to do something different - it's a cross training day! In honor of a 2 week cross training period since the end of my last indoor season race in NY, I wanted to do something different for fun. I have been really enjoying my break and have had the chance to make a bunch of new friends in Dayton, Ohio as I have been here supporting Brittany in her training. Today I am going to answer 10 random questions just so you can get to know me a little better... so here we go!

1. Favorite color?
- My favorite color is blue. It was the color of both NAU and Air Force so very close to my heart in many ways.

2. Dream car?
- Solid Black 2013 Camero with White Stripes... everyone can dream, right? :)

3. What was the best advice your dad ever gave you?
- Stay focused and be hungry for something greater.

4. What is your favorite place you have ever traveled but would not live?
- Monte Carlo. I love running track races in Monoco but it is an incredibly expensive place to live. It is fun to be there just for a day or two.

5. Are you a morning person?
- Heck no :) I only wake up early if I absolutely have to - catching a flight, going to an early workout, or drug testing with USADA.

6. What are your favorite toppings on a pizza?
- Spinach, goat cheese, tomatoes, and chicken... Pizza is still my favorite food!

7. What job did you want to do when you were young?
- When I was little, I wanted to be a farmer just like my dad in South Sudan.

8. What is your favorite workout?
- 1200 meter repeats on the outdoor track. I really like the mental and physical challenge. My teammates and I usually try to make a game out of it as well... competing to run EXACTLY the perfect split time down to a 10th of a second.

9. What job outside of your career field would be the most fun to do?
- I would like to be in government. I would love to start on the local level as a community organizer. I really enjoy doing work with my non-profit and would love to be able to do that type of work in civil service as well. Who knows what the future might hold!

10. If you could have a drink with someone in history who would it be?
Nelson Mandela. The greatest African leader and change agent. I would love to talk to him about how to change the political mindset in Africa especially in a young country like South Sudan. It was an incredible feat to make politicians understand that the country is about all of its citizens and not the few at the top.

I love hearing from you and if you have any other questions or topics you would like me to talk about please send me a message or make a comment on my blog. Thanks for everyone's congratulations on the American Record last week and for all of the kind words about how Running for My Life is touching your life.

Running Tip #7: Cross training is one of the most important aspects of recovery. If even you feel great in training it is a good idea to take a cross training day periodically to let your body rebuild. It's also fun to play around with other types of training that you are not used to - go for a swim, a bike ride, or go dancing!

Comments

Ancel James

03/15/2013 7:43pm

Do you still have your Honda? What is a good recovery meal after a tough training day?

Lopez Lomong link

03/16/2013 10:44am

Ancel -

Yes, I still have my Honda CRV and I love it! It is a perfect car for me and really reliable.
My favorite recovery meal is a spicy mix of quinoa, ground buffalo, and spinach. Always fuels me up really well.

Great hearing from you!

Lopez

Phyllis

03/15/2013 7:52pm

You inspire! What is your favorite race distance?

Lopez Lomong link

03/16/2013 10:45am

My favorite race distance is between the 1500m and the 5000m. I love the mid-distance events and enjoy mixing up these two races with focuses on speed and endurance.

Thanks for the question!

Lopez

JesusSaves

03/15/2013 8:04pm

If you had to be a sprinter or a marathoner, which one would you be?

Lopez Lomong

03/16/2013 10:47am

I think I would be a marathoner. It seems hard to imagine training so so hard for my race to be done in 10 seconds. I really like a race that is more relaxed and where I can really think about tactics. Having said that... marathon is a little too long for me at this point... maybe someday :)

Mary

03/16/2013 6:38am

Good people in Ohio, I grew up there and travel there often. Dayton was quite a hub of invention, you should go to Carillon Park as the museum and other buildings there are impressive and interesting.

Lopez Lomong

03/16/2013 10:48am

Mary -

Thanks so much for the recommendation! I have enjoyed sight seeing here. I love enjoying exploring the U.S.

Rik Workman

03/16/2013 1:26pm

Great post Lopez!

I am originally from Ohio where I lived for 23 years and went to college before moving out here to Portland. I did a lot of archaeology work throughout Ohio, especially the Dayton area. Do you like the Air Force Museum? If you have the time and you are interested in seeing how the Native Americans lived in that region thousands of years ago, you should check out Sunwatch Archaeological Village and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. I am great friends with the Curator at Boonshoft, Bill Kennedy, and I'm sure he would love to give you a private tour of some of the amazing artifacts not on display such as their shrunken head from Central America, mummified remains from Egypt, and lots of African tribal materials!

Enjoy the cross training!

Matt

03/20/2013 1:00pm

Hey Lopez!

You inspire me everyday. What's your least favorite workout? Do you have any pre-race rituals? Also, what's your favorite cross-training workout?

Keep up the great work!!

Sandra link

03/20/2013 5:41pm

Hello Lopez, I just finished your book and was taken by the story God has given you to tell others! I wondered if you are ever in Florida? I work for a Pastor who is 81 years young and he is from Cape Town, South Africa. He was well on his way to being an accomplsihed runner when at the age of 18 was hurt in the Gold Mines where he worked. I told him about your book and he is planning to read it. But I would love to surprise him with a visit from you .... please let me know if that can ever be arranged. By the way - he was crushed in the mines and the doctor's told him he would never walk again - but God had other plans. He, too wrote a book ... http://www.amazon.com/shall-Come-Forth-As-Gold/dp/088270382X
Many Blessings to you ~Sandra Ann

Matt Stamper

04/17/2013 7:04pm

Hey Lopez,

I am interested in speaking with you about turning your story into a movie, I believe it would be an amazing testimoney to what God has done in your life.

Hope to hear from you,

Matt

04/23/2013 1:36am

I'm doing a school project on inspirational athletes and have chosen you to write about. I was really impressed and inspired by your story, but cannot find any imformation about your 3 day run to the refugee camp. i'm sorry if this is a painful subject but any extra information would be incredible! thank you

Ellie Kastelein

04/30/2013 3:24pm

Hi Lopez,
I'm doing a school project on you that is basically a biography. I go to Veritas School in VA. I have read your book, but would like some more info. on your life when you lived in Sudan, and your 3 day run to the refugee camp. I would also like to know some of your biggest accomplishments, because thats what one of my paragraphs has to be about. In all I have to write over 1000 words. It would be really helpful if you answered this.

Tanner Fox

05/21/2013 11:05am

Hi lopez im doing a school project on you, can you tell me more about your foundation. What inspired you.

Tanner Fox

05/22/2013 12:25pm

What is everything your foundation does lopez? Im supposed to do a school project on you, i have to make aposter on what your foundation does. If you can help with some information it would be really apreciated.(i probablyspelled that wrong)