It is go time...

#142 is packed and ready to go.

7 AM flight out of KC through Memphis, in Panama City by lunch time.

According to weather.com we are going to have perfect weather...low of 55, high of 78 and sunny. That would be very nice, hopefully we will get that lucky

As of 9:10 PM, CST total dollars raised for StepStone in Wichita is $19,790. Has to be good enough to finish in the top 10 and get extra money from Janus. Slight, Slight chance I could sneak into the top 5 and get a larger doantion. Either way the charity is going to get a lot of money that will go a long way. Thanks to all who have donated.

Next report should include photos of me post race - medal around my neck, drink in hand and less than 12 hours showing on the race clock.

TJO

8 days left

Just over a week away from IM Florida. I am feeling pretty good and very excited for race day to get here. Weather forecast looks great so far, but who what it will be like on race day.

Last weekend I was in San Fran to watch my sister and sister in law run in the Nike Women's Marathon. It is a really cool event. The participants get to run a really cool course. A few big hills, but nothing too bad.

I also got to meet Sarah Reinertsen at the Expo. Sarah is the individual who motivated me to take up this sport. Watching her during her first attempt at IM Kona was very inspiring, so meeting her was really cool. We only spoke for a few moments, but she was really nice and she seemed to be very proud of the fact that she motivates and insprires people of all abilities.

She has a pretty cool website - you should check it out to learn about her story - alwaystri.net.

Final Prep...

Under 3 weeks now till IM FLA. Starting to get pretty excited...watching KONA on the internet yesterday sure helped. Those athletes are unreal.

Ran 18 miles Friday after work. Might have been my best long run ever. I know you are supposed to go slow on these workouts, but I was feeling great and decided to get ater it. Ran the 18 miles at a pace of 8:12 / mile. I think that is on pace for a 3:36 marathon.

Next week Trish and Tash run their first marathon in San Fran. Looking forward to the trip, seeing them run, doing a little Left Coast running myself and hanging out with the boys. Should be a fun trip.

Extra Motivation

I have been telling everyone who will listen for quite some time now that I am participating in the Janus Charity Challenge as part of IM FLA this year. I am working to raise $$$ for StepStone, out of Wichita, KS.

StepStone provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. As I write we have raised over $7900!!!!

I know there are very few people who read my blog, and most of you got the email about why I chose this program to support and why it is so important to me...but just in case you didnt get that email, shoot me a note at odonnell_timothy@yahoo.com and I will fill you in.

Other wise ---- click the link below, open your wallet and help us out.


http://januscharitychallenge.kintera.org/fl07/timodonnell

Getting closer...

Down to 26 days to IM FLA and I am very fired up.

Had my last BIG volume training weekend these last few days. Rode 102 miles today. Last year, leading up to IM WISC my last 100 miles took me 6 hours. I did the 103 today in about 30 minutes less, so that is very encouraging. Have been training on rolling hills south of KC all year, so I am excited about the dead flat course in Florida.

I really think going sub 12 is with in reach. I may or may not hit that goal, but I know I am going to leave it all on the course. I read a quote in Runners World a while back that I really liked. To paraphrase..."if i am still standing at the finsh line, hit my over the head and knock me down, since I obviosuly didn't work hard enough"...I like that guys style.