Colorado Training

Hello from Colorado Springs!!  I have been here for about 3 weeks training now and I am working harder than ever toward the goal of bringing that gold medal home.  It looks like my season will start in early February with a few indoor races to shake things up.  The tentative schedule at this point is a race in Washington state in early Feb and then the Millrose Games in New York City in the middle of the month.  I will finish it off with Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, NM from 1-3 March.  So if you live in Washington, New York, or Albuquerque, it would be amazing to see you in the stands!

Running Tip 1:  To build up endurance increase mileage in small increments over several weeks! Don't increase mileage too quickly or you put yourself at risk of injury. Run Hard and have fun!!

Training so far this year has been incredible.  I am really enjoying the time with my 12 teammates in training camp in Colorado Springs.  It is a wonderful chance for me to reconnect with a place very close to my heart.  I trained in Colorado from 2008 to 2010 reaching my first Olympics from here (as well as meeting my wonderful girlfriend Brittany).  It is amazing to be back 2 years later with another Olympics under my belt and many more experiences to draw from.  For athletes the Olympic training center is a place like no other.  We have world class training and recovery facilities and the most amazing staff of doctors, therapists, and support.  It is a dream to be here and be training at the highest level... I keep Rio in my mind all of the time - Here I come!!

Using NormaTec MVP - compression and ice - for recovery after this mornings run! Painful but good for the muscles :)

Sculpture at the OTC Athlete Center

Besides training here in Colorado Springs I have had the joy to put effort into my Foundation and especially the 4 South Sudan Campaign.  Many of you have read my book already and know how important the work I do is to me.  There have been many exciting developments early in 2013 and this promises to be a huge year for the Foundation!  On the horizon are a few big races where you can run on my team and together we can bring resources to the world's most vulnerable people!  For those of you living in the Portland area, get your running shoes ready - some exciting news is about to break and I want you to be part of MY TEAM!!  

Finally I want to thank everyone for all of the amazing comments that you have left for me on Facebook.  I had asked everyone to tell me how Running for My Life touched them and I received so many inspiring responses.  
     I loved all of the comments, but some of my favorites are: "My favorite [chapter] is when you arrive in America. I went through a lot of kleenex with that chapter -- a reminder of how much we take for granted.  Thanks for the eye opener and reminder of blessings that overflow" and "I can't pick a chapter, it taught that in running [and beyond] give every ounce of effort cause somewhere out there is someone who would love to be in my shoes." Thank you for all of the kind words!  
    I am inspired by the comments from Andrew McKenzie - "I can't wait to read the next chapter" - and Mark Dobbs - "My favorite chapter is the last, unwritten one where you continue to do good works and inspire the rest of us".
    Thank you so much for all of your kindness and support and for driving me to work harder everyday and strive to do more good for the children in South Sudan!!  The future is bright! 
    If you want to read my book, find more information about Running for My Life, and please feel free to leave a comment or email me!  I personally try to get back to everyone's message!