Cold. Cold. Cold

Day 2 of Enduracamps Winter Training Camp is in the books:

Tues Night - 60 Minute Spin + 30 Minute Easy Run
Wednesday Morning - 60 Minute Track Workout. (Outdoor, -10 Degree Wind Chill) Followed by a 2200m swim
Wednesday Night - 45 Minute MTN Bike Ride...Just as cold as this morning.

Day off from Camp tomorrow, but still have masters swim in the morning.

Great camp, but the weather makes it pretty tough. I just keep telling myself that I am "making deposits into the pain bank" that will come in handy ths summer on race day.

I will post photos as soon as I get them from Pat.

Tim

08 Schedule

So, its only been about 3 months since my last post, so time for an update.

Early season training is going well...finally getting back into the grove in the pool. Putting some solid (and very boring) miles on the treadmill each week. KCM Spin class provides a nice work out twice a week, but I am ready to get back out on the road. Was able to get in about 45 miles on the bike yesterday. It was cold, but enjoyable.

Updated 08 Schedule:

Week of 2/19 EnduraCamps Winter Training Camp
3/29 Olathe Half Marathon
4/20 Lawrence Half Marathon
5/10 Wichita River Run (10k)
5/18 Heritage Park Sprint Tri
6/1 Flint Hills Olympic Tri
6/15 Ironman Kansas 70.3
7/13 Shawnee Mission Park Long Course Tri
7/16 - 7/20 EnduraCamps Summer Training Camp (Omaha, NE)
8/31 Ironman Louisville

I will find out on 4/15 if I "won the lottery" and get to race in Kona this October. If I dont get into Kona and if I don't end up moving to Ireland for a new job this fall I will add either IM Arizona or Silver Man (140.6, Las Vegas) in November.

Should be a great season. Main goals are to go sub 5 hrs in Lawrence and sub 11 in Louisville.

Sunday Evening Update

I updated the link section on my blog...a few race websites, a training camp site and my profile on Loop'd. More to come in this section in the next few days.

The next few weeks are going to be hectic:

-This week - 3 days of work travel
-Next week - Christmas at my house, then a 4 day trip to Chicago / Madison
-Week After - week in Miami for the Orange Bowl to watch the Fighting Mangino's
-Week After - week in Chicago works annual "Sales Kick Off" event

-Week After - I finally start to get my lazy ass back in shape.

2008 Race Schedule

Here is what I am planning on for 2008:

Date Race
3/29 Olathe Marathon
4/20 Lawrence Half Marathon
5/18 Heritage Park Triathlon
6/1 Flint Hills Triathlon
6/15 Ironman Kansas 70.3
7/13 SM Park Triathlon
7/16 - 7/20 IM Training Camp - Omaha, NE
8/31 Ironman Louisville

IM Florida Finisher Video

My sister, Trisha (who I was raising money in honor of) crossed the finish line with me. This summer she will race in Ironman Kansas 70.3 and I wouldn't be suprised if she does a 140.6 in 09.

08 Plans

Starting to think about 08 plans already...

Feb 10 = Psyco Wyco 50K Trail Run
May 4 = Big O Half Iron
June 15 = Ironman Kansas 70.3
September 1= Ironman Lousiville

Would love to find a Mid / Late July 70.3 to add to the schedule, but need to fidn one near KC. Maybe Pig Man again depending on when it is scheduled. I want to enter more of the local sprint and Olympic races in the greater KC area than I did last year.

I also entered the Kona Lottery...so I guess there is a small chance I will get lucky enough and get to race in Kona. Not going to hold my breath, but it sure would be cool.

Ironman Kansas 70.3

Very exciting news....there will be an "ironman" brand race in Lawrence, KS this summer. June 15th to be exact.

check out www.ironmankansas.com for more info.

Registration opened this morning. No idea how quick it will fill up, but I went ahead and signed up first thing just to make sure I got it.

More IM FLA Photos

IM FLA Photos

IM Florida Report

No huge report...I am tired and getting sick, so only a short version today.

Race went well. Finished in 12:03:01. Missed my goal by 3 minutes, but I am happy with my time.

Swim - 1:10
Bike - 5:56
Run - 4:48

Final amount raised through the Janus Charity Challenge = $20,300!!!

I think that placed 6th or 7th overall. Still no word on how muhc of a match we are going to get from Janus, but I think it will be $750. This money will go a long way for Stepstone and the women & children who benefit from their services.

(but I will break 11 hours at Ironman Louisville next September)

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.

Redman 70.3 Race Report

The race yesterday went pretty well. Set a Half Iron PR of 5:32! After my swim I wasnt very optimistic about ending with a good time, but things ended up OK.

Swim - 40 Minutes...well behid my goal time of 35 minutes. Water was pretty choppy and you had to fight it on the way back into shore. Had my goggles knocked off 3 times and almost threw up one from taking to too much lake water. Was finally able to get into a goove on the way back into shore, but it was a little late. The good thing is that not too many people had a good swim so I wasnt that far behind.

Bike - 2:49...Nice bike course, out and back, shaped like a giant "L". Had the wind at your back twice and in your face twice. You could really fly when it was at your back.

Run - 1:58...By this time it was getting HOT. Out and back course around the lake and a nearby gold course. Great volunteer support and plenty of well stocked aid stations. The temp was getting into the mid 90's, so they were all well needed. Felt really good other than about miles 11.5 - 12.5 (stomach cramps), but by that time you could see the finish so it was easy to go hard for the last few minutes.

Solid race that I would recomend to enter.

Final Stats:

5:32:02
Age Group Place: 9/24
Sex Place: 37 / 212
Overall Place: 39 / 305

Photos to follow whenever I get them.

3 days

I am looking forward to heading down to OKC for the Redman Half in 3 days. The last few weeks of training have gone well and I have been able to get out on a few easy workouts while still resting the legs.

I plan on a nice EASY run tomorrow morning...there is a 3 mile loop nearby I will run before work.

redmantriathlon.com has an athlete tracker on the front page. My bib # is 1046.

It is going to be hot, but the race will be fun. Race Saturday morning, eat and drink with the parents on Saturday night, rest on Sunday, then the miles get BIG for a few weeks...less than 7 weeks till IM FLA.

I plan on 2 100 mile rides and 2 or 3 20 mile runs in my final prep for the race. Fun stuff...

10 Days....

Ten Days till the Redman 70.3 in OKC. Training has gone really well these last few weeks, so I am excited about the race.

Current weather forcast is high of 83 and partly cloudy with 0% rain. That would be wonderful weather, lets hope the wind is at a minimum that day as I have heard you are not very protected from the wind on the course.

I hate to taper, as I feel lazy, but it is necessary to rest. Saturday will be a 40m / 5 mile brick and Sunday will be an EASY 10 miles. Will go for an easy run in Chicago on Tuesday before my meetings, swim 1500 on Wednesday and go for an easy 5m run on Thursday. Reset on Friday.

Enough to keep the blood flowing and to stay active, while allowing my legs to rest up for a busy day on Saturday.

Goal is to break 5:30...

Swim - 35 Min
Bike - 2:45
Run - 1:45

That leaves me 25 minutes leaway for tranisition and extra time during the race. I think it is very realistic.

Tim

IM Wisconsin

I can't believe it has been a year since IMMOO 06. What a loooooong day that was, but well worth it.

Congrats to all of the KC Multisport finishers of Ironman Wisconsin yesterday. They had great weather and there were some great times. I beleive that everyone finished as well. Great Job!

Hopefully the handful of us who are racing at RedMan in a few weeks and then at IM FLA in 52 days will have the good fortune of nice weather as well.

Watching everyone online yesterday really motivated me to work hard for the next 52 days in order to get myself ready for my big race.

My original goal was 12 hours...then after a rough day at Pigman I thought about lowering my goal to 13 hours. I am going to stick with my original goal - it will be tough, but I think I can do it!

Tim

Ironman Louisville 08

I just entered IM Louisville 08. Shockingly it took less than 5 minutes to register, I must have beat the rush.