Genesis Custom Loop w/ Featured Image and Odd/Even support

home.php

<?php 
        $odd_or_even = 'even';
	$args = array(
		'cat' => 1,
		'posts_per_page' => 2,
		'order' => 'DESC'
	);

	$query = new WP_Query( $args ); 
	    if ( $query->have_posts() ) : while ( $query->have_posts() ) : $query->the_post();
		$do_not_duplicate = $post->ID; 
        ?>
	<div <?php post_class( $odd_or_even ); ?>>
	<?php $odd_or_even = ( 'odd' == $odd_or_even ) ? 'even' : 'odd'; ?>

		<div class="column-5 left">
			<a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>" /><?php the_post_thumbnail( 'thumbnail', array( 'class' => 'featured-image' ) ); ?></a>
			<a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>" /><span class="read-more">Read More</span></a>
		</div>

		<div class="column-6 right">
			<h1 class="entry-title"><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h1>

			<div class="entry-content">
				<?php the_excerpt(); ?>
			</div>

		</div>

	</div>
	<?php endwhile; wp_reset_query(); ?>
</div>