Jo is due to start her attempt at the Enduroman Lanzarote Ultra triathlon on Monday evening 2nd February 2009. Please leave your messages of support here, I will pass them onto her during her challenge. Eddie has set a great world record but Jo is a remarkable Ultra runner and has put a lot of sea swim training in during 2008. Jo is also attempting the A2A this year in early July.

The best of luck to you Jo.

Steve

Go Jo! Go Jo! Go Jo!

The nerves are starting to set in now. I had orginally set out to do this in April but after watching Claire and Steve successfully complete the event in December I knew I couldn't wait that long so here goes!!! I also watched online as Eddie took the record to an amazing 29hrs 57 mins. Good work.
Training has been going pretty well, I clocked up a fair few hours in the sea in Weymouth over the summer and in the lakes in Canada, the longest sea swim so far being 5 and a half hours and have spent a mind numbingly boring 7 hrs in a 25metre pool as one of my longest swims to date. This was done after a long run and before a long bike as I'm trying to get used to the lack of proper sleep. Job done, I can't remember the last time I had 8hrs sleep : )
I would appreciate if you have time to follow this event and send messages of support.
To complete this would be a massive boost to my A2A training so am hoping that I succeed

Good luck Jo you nutter.If anyone is mad enough to do it, then i have every confidence in you.

Jo Killed Kenny....You B*****d!

Yes peej, I killed Kenny and I stole his orange jacket, am taking it to Lanza as my high visibilty jacket

Hi Jo!
Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you, I'll be tracking your progress on here!
Sorry not to chat more on Thursday, I didn't realise this was so imminent!
Don't forget to save a bit of energy for the National XC at the end of the month
See you on your return!

Julia x

Good Luck Jo, I think you are going to smash it - just make sure they don't get you lost!!!
Any news Steve?

Monday morning Feb 2nd and I'm sitting here at home looking out at about an inch of snow on the ground!
So god knows why on earth you want to head upto the sunny climes of Lanzarote.

BIG BEST WISHES from all of us at Family Mouncey. Records are there to be broken - especially ones set by tall ugly blokes who spend too much time in the sun!

Your run is strong, your swim is getting better all the time, and the bike - hey, that's just rolling resistance - right?!

Embrace it all, Jo - this is why we do this stuff! ENJOY!!

With the winds coming from the south over the island this morning, the start has been delayed by 24 hours. The sea state would be too dangerous to attempt. Jo is now aiming to start at 9pm Tuesday 3rd Feb.

Steve

Jo - the best of luck. Remember, only focus on things that you can control and when you finish it, smile and reset your goal towards the Arch to Arc (Sorry Andy - couldn't resist it )

Steve

24 hour delay. Gives you time to get in another long run....

At least your start is only delayed, everything has been cancelled back here in Blighty. If you had this weather the chances is you could bobsleigh instead of cycle....

All the best, focus, relax, and enjoy......Nutter!

Hi Jo,
I hope your plane made it out of the UK yesterday, and hopefully the weather is a bit warmer in Lanzarote (no snow and ice)
Very best of luck!
Chris

Just spoke with Eddie: He said that the wind had blown up too much making the sea too rough for an attempt. He is hoping Jo starts at 9pm tomorrow (Tue), but again this is depending on the weather. As soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

Steve
Enduroman

Good Luck Jo.

While you are out there I think I lost a hat in Lanza last year. If you see it could you pick it up?

Thanks.

James.

Jo, hope the weather improves a bit for Tuesday evenings attempt. I'll be following this thread and I wish you the best of luck.

David and Sharon.

Best of luck Jo, i know you'll do brilliantly. i'll be thinking of you. Hopefully its a bit nicer over there. Plenty of snow here so might just have to take a day off work

Will check in with you tomorrow as soon as i can xx

Just spoke with Eddie and crew. Jo is in good sprits. They found it very funny that they haven't seen snow in Dorset for 30 years and I can't get back to Birmingham because I'm snowed-in in Christchurch. Jo had been on a recce of the run course today and she is expecting to do it in about 8 hours.

Eddie said that the wind is starting to change direction. So all is looking good for a start tomorrow.

Steve

Yo! Jo! Thinking of you and wishing you Good Luck for your start later today!

We'll be watching even more closely than usual as there's Naff All else to do here as the world has stopped due to snow!

ZBD says WOOF!

GO! GO! GO!

WHAT?

"Jo Kilkenny is delayed due to adverse weather conditions"???

You are not the bloody Circle Line.

Get on with it.

Bleedin Triathletes. Wimps the lot of them.

Just caught up with Jo. Tonight is definitely on. She is just grabbing a few hours extra rest before the run.

I am still snowed in, in Dorset. I'm going to start driving back at 4am tomorrow then start work at 8am, so I will update the forum as soon as I get the chance.

Steve

Good luck Jo, hope all goes to plan!
Julia

Good luck Jo.

I hope the weather is kind to you!

I'd love to say that I can't believe that you're mad enough to try this (I'm just feeling tired looking at this website) - but I know only too well that you are mad enough to give it all you've got. So all the very best of luck to you, hope it's great preparation for A2A and I'll look forward to hearing all about it when you're back.

My advice is to treat it this way: go bat sh*t crazy for the first 5k and then hang on for the remainder of the distance. Works for me. I'm sure this pacing strategy is the one to follow.

Good luck and remember this, if you don't break the male record you're not invited round on Fri 13th anymore.

Jo startes the Lanza Ultra at 2057hrs this evening.

Steve will put a live feed link up tomorrow morning

Good luck Jo

Whoops,sorry.Steve as just told me this IS the live feed

Brill News - Time to Whoop Some Ass!

We'll be dreaming of you tonight and can't wait to crank up the Ole Computer to see how AWESOMe you're doing when we get up!

GO JO!

Good luck, Jo. You may be dabbling in this tri nonsense now, but I'm sure you'll be back in the running fold soon.

It's 4.30am and I have just heard that Jo has about 2 miles to go.

She will be right at the point where I fell off the road into the Lava fields, don't expect Jo is daft enough to do that!!

Good luck for the swim Jo, we are all thinking of you.

Run times for Jo...

Start time - 8.56pm
Finish - 4.50am

Total time 7hr 54mins 52 secs.

Jo is feeling good with no injuries.

Jo plans to start the swim at 8am.

If she does this, Jo will be 4 hours up on the record pace!!!

Go Jo!! Go Jo!! Go Jo!! Go Jo!!

Well done Jo, fantastic effort. Just remember... It's only water!!

Well done Jo

Sounds like you've had quite a night - AWESOME!

All those hours of hard training paying off!

Open a can of Whoop Ass on that Record!

Have a Great Swim!

YO GO JO!!!

Excellent Jo, keep it up.

Superb effort Jo - well done on the run. Enjoy the swim too!

Well done Jo.
Good run, enjoy the swim.

Just heard from Ed -

We are up, swim postponed for an hour. Jo having extra rest. Weather dull.

Great run Jo! Enjoy that extra hour of rest before your swim!

Steve,

Has Jo started the swim yet?

Cheers,

Frenchy.

Message from Jo's at 8.46am:

Hi Steve, not feeling to bad. Heading down to start swim. Feeling slightly ill but think its nerves. Jo

Message from Paul (support crew) at 9.22am:

Swim started at 9.16am. Weather bright and holding. Jo feeling good.

Steve

Message from Paul (support crew). Swim started at 9.16am. Weather bright and holdiing. Jo feeling good.

Jo has a 12 lap course to complete (11 miles). I will post as soon as I know how far she done.

Steve

Awesome stuff Jo, keep up the excellent work.

Message from eddie. Jo completed 1.5 laps in the first hour. If she keeps this pace we are looking at a 7 hour ish swim which would still keep her 3 hours ahead of record time.

Steve

great to have such frequent updates - keep them coming!

4 laps done in 3 hours. That's an average of 45mins per lap. So we are now looking at a 9 hour swim. Keep it going Jo!

Steve

Excellent - Keep it up Jo

Eat some food!

Eat some more food!

Have a drink!

Thinking of you and look forward to more Good News Later!

Great work Jo, keep it up! That 7 hour pool training swim will pay off!
(I get bored if i'm there for 1 hour let alone 7!!)

It is quite surreal to think of you swimming for longer than I will be sitting here at work today!!

I'm sure you're going to smash the record!
x

Just spoke with Eddie. When Jo got up this morning she said that she didn’t feel too good. Eddie persuaded her to go back to bed for an hour and eat some more food. This was nicely timed as when she got up, the sun was just starting to break through and Eddie said that she looked completely refreshed. She is now about 15mins away from the half way mark. Eddie seems to think that we are now looking at a 10 hour swim. She is now very quiet and looking ‘low’ on her feeds and Eddie is encouraging her to have short stops to prevent them from dragging on. Eddie has prepared some hot soup for her next feed. I am forwarding all your messages that you leave on this forum. This is the time that Jo most needs your support….

Steve

Just a recap on the world record. Eddie set the record a few days ago 29hrs 57mins. If Jo does a 10 hour swim, she would then have 7hrs and 36mins to complete the bike to go under this time. Eddie did the bike in 7hrs 17mins. This was leave evry little time for recovery. I hope you have been practicing on those hills Jo!

Steve

Go on Jo! Just get to the end of the swim and you know you've made it.

Ian

Go on Jo, keep eating! You can do it!
I'm sure the swim is the worst of it, you are doing great so dig deep!

Your excuse for no cross country so far this season has been all those sea swims, so put all that training to use now, i know you'll do great!

Good effort Jo. Just make sure you keep eating. Cheesy Poofs if possible.

Jo, we're all right behind you and have full confidence in your abilities to complete the swim and then have a good little pedal through the mountains!

Eat well and think about a lovely bottle of Bud at the end of it all.

Stay strong, think of everything you've sacrificed to get to where you are today, and oh, its bloody freezing back home so you're in the right place!

David

From Paul: Jo is feeling more upbeat now. Around 7 lap mark. She’s looking good. Swim time 5hrs 20mins

Go Go Jo,
Come on Jo,
keep at it and mind and have something to eat.
break that record and I might even buy you a pint

Come on Jo - faster faster - mas rapido!!!

Keep going Jo, I know you can do it!

You are doing great Jo. Hang in, and it will happen

Go on Jo! You're doing fantastically well, keep it up!

Awesome Jo, Hang on in there.....

Your doing great Jo, keep it strong and focussed. Highs and lows are part of the journey and the high is worth all the lows.
Full of admiration at your dedication, you can do it.
Steve G

Message of Lynn in Lanza...

Jo is still going, ave 43 per lap. Eating and Drinking ok.
Ed is in the canoe and don't ask how the hell he got in it!!!



Message of Jo's support Paul...

9 laps completed, 6 hrs 48 mins. Looking good.

YO HO! GO JO!

You are the Hounds Hoo Hahs!

EAT!

DRINK!

FECK!

NEARLY THERE!

Coming up to 10.5 laps. Jo in goos spirits. Time 7hrs 51mins. The last lap is about 10mins longer. She must have picked the pace up, so thanks for all the support. Another 45mins for the next lap, then another 30 back to the start, so she should be in around 9hrs 10mins.

Come on Jo!

Come on Jo you are doing great!

its got to be better than 70 minues on the cross trainer I am off for now!

I look forward to seeing your completed time later on!

We all know you can do it!!

fantastic stuff Jo! We are all rooting for you here. Not long and you are on the bike! Stay strong.

5 mins to go. Beach side of 'the green bouy' - hell of a swell at the mouth of the bay.

Nearly there mate!

Keep going Jo, Hope the bike goes well, at least you are a lot warmer than we are back in the UK you picked just the right time to go.

She's in! 11 mile swim done in 9hrs 31mins and 42secs. (6.47pm).

Well done Jo. Great news!

Yah!!! Well done Jo. Rest up and eat some good grub. Stay strong, you are nearly there.

Outstanding Killers.

The running clock is now at 22 hours. I have spoke to Jo and she has decided to take 4 hours rest. The world record is beyond her grasp now so she can take a longer recovery (max of 5hrs). Jo then text me to say.. You're right - TANSI! (This ain't no... etc etc!)

TANSI.. Classic!

Hi mini jo jo, just got back from work and jason has just told me you have finished swim. I have just noticed you have decided to rest instead of going at it hard and i think that is wise as this is about building yourself for the a2a. i was able to keep an eye till lunch time then been teaching so i was so pleased to get home to good news.keep eating,drinking and focused on getting the job done now, we have every faith in you.loads of love get paul to give you a big hug from us. its all about the bike now. R & J xx

NOTHING MORE TO SAY, JUST STAY STRONG , AND ENJOY IT ALL, YOU ARE A SUPERWOMAN, NO DOUBT. TRICIAXXX

Well done Jo, everyone following your progress at mds.co.uk and willing you on, keep it going.

Frenchy.

Good swimming Kilkenny, enjoy the night ride.

I'm exhausted just reading all of this. Awesome running and swimming, well done Jo. And you get to sit down for the last bit. Easy!

Well done Jo, you're brilliant! Two down, one to go - I'm so impressed at how well you're doing. I'm feeling tired after just one hour at the gym so goodness knows how you're feeling - but I'm confident that you're going to nail that bike ride and set yourself up perfectly for A2A. Keep eating, enjoy the break, and best of luck in the saddle.

Get in there Jo,
Your going to nail it now.
Remember to eat, looking forward to hearing all about it

There are alot of messages telling Jo to eat? Is there something we should know? . Last word from Jo before she went for a power snooze is that she plans to start the bike at 11pm.

Well Done Jo ... keep it up.

And what do we keep nagging you about .... Eat some food !!

I'm off to bed now as I have to be up at 4am to try and beat the snow that's predicted to hit Brum tomorrow. The very best of luck Jo. You should be around Mt Claire by the time I get up.

Whilst you are resting up before you set off biking in 45 mins, Everton are drawing with Liverpool in the FA Cup and it's looking like it may go to penalties.

Also in the news: The discovery of fossilised remains belonging to the world's largest snake has been reported in Nature journal.

Titanoboa was 13m (42ft) long - about the length of a bus - and lived in the rainforest of north-east Colombia 58-60 million years ago.

The snake was so wide it would have reached up to a person's hips, say researchers, who have estimated that it weighed more than a tonne.

Some food for thought there whilst you cycle.

I'm just thinking - I bet you get really big goggle marks on your face after wearing them for so long.....

Have a good ride. I'll be thinking of you (when I wake up in the night that is!).

Bike started at 11.48pm

Message from Lynn (Ette) at 00:46:

It is so bad here with the weather. I have not seen rain come down so hard.

Message from Paul 02:48

Top of Los Valles. 3hrs. Wet and very windy. Jo feeling good, really strong in the legs.

Message from Paul 04:15

Just stopped at Miradore. Time 4hrs 25mins. Weather fu*&%$n raining and windy. Still going strong.

29 Miles to go. Still very windy. Not far now Jo!

Keep it up Jo, not long now you'll be finished in time for breakfast, I suggest some steak and chips
You've nearly cracked it now, start enjoying it.

19 Miles to go

YO JO!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK - NOT FAR TO GO NOW!

WET AND WINDY CYCLE RIDE? THINK WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE - I FOUND THE SECRET WAS TO LAUGH SO I DIDN'T CRY!

YOU ARE THE HOUNDS HOO-HAHS!

REMEMBER EAT AND DRINK!

mini jo jo,
sounds very grim weather wise which you should be used to!!! just think london to dover reckey!! sooo proud of you just finish it off now.
GO JO GO. r & j xx

22mph winds. First light was at 7.16. Jo will be glad to watch the sun come up.

Keep it going Jo. Great guns!

From Paul:

"10 Miles to go. Jo is very emotional as expected. We have nicknamed her 'Mini Hoy'. She is putting in a phenominally guttsy performance. Legend! 8hrs 18mins so far".

Go on Jo!! Keep going - you're doing so well. What's a bit of wind and rain to an Irishwoman anyway...

mini jo jo,
10miles to go! i am glued to my update screen ready to celebrate!! then i better get on with work. if the bike breaks now just run!!!!
rxx

YO JO! GO JO!

LIKE ROSIE I AM GLUED TO MY SCREEN - SO GET A MOVE ON AS I'VE GOT LOTS OF WORK TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!

GO GIRL!!!!

HURRY UP JO. I've got a long meeting starting at 9.30 so try to finish before then.

COME ON KILKENNY!! GET YOUR ASS OVER THAT FINISHING LINE!

(Message to whoever is passing these messages on to Jo - this one needs to be shouted loudly at her. Although not so loudly that she falls off the bike as that would be a bit of a shame at this point...)

She's finished! Bike time 9hrs 9mins 39sec. Finshed at 8.57am. Total time 36hrs 2mins 39sec.

Well done Jo.

Go Jo! Surely there are some downhill sections to enjoy?!

Fantastic news Jo - what an achievement! I'm really really pleased for you.

Fiona

Get in there Jo!!!
Congratulations, sounds like a hard shift,
enjoy the rest of your holiday

Brilliant achievement!!

Yo Jo,

You is so cool innit, tha mi an me posse consider you as one of da gang members now, ya get me?
I ain't saying nothing, but what i'm saying is da you are one cool mother, get me? I'm checkin you, an you done good...real good. If ya wanna come an dis some other athletes an all dat, then get down ta Danny's territory on da 13th, check it out, innit. You is awesome, that was diesal performance, ya get me?

Well done, a superb effort and sets you up for the big one July. Have a good rest

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!

YEE-HAR AND HUZZAR!

DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE SWEARING!

TIME FOR SOME BREKKIE AND A LITTLE DOZE THEN BRING ON THE A2A!

UP THE IRISH!

I was wrong about the Everton v Liverpool game going to penalties. Everton scored in the 118th minute, and ITV cut to adverts just before they scored!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4518151/ITV-cuts-to-advert-as-Everton-score-winner-in-cup-tie-two-minutes-before-end.html

Meanwhile, well done on completing this! Very impressed, so much so, that you are still invited round on the 13th. And you can regale us with your tale whilst we throw red shells at each other.

Congratulations Jo - you deserve a long rest! and I hope the sun comes out for the rest of your time in Lanzarote
Chris

Well done Jo!! I have been thinking about you during my 3 hour pool session!! We need to get together for a few beers when you are back in the UK and talk Lanza and A2A stuff!!

I will also need to give you your TANSI T-shirt!!!

Superb effort. Sounds like the weather gods were against you on the bike with rain/wind. Well done.

Well done jo great effort, sounds like you weren't as lucky with the weather as I thought. you can have a very long rest now.

OK you lazy thing, you can wake up now and tell us all about it!!!

Joe ,Paul
Great to have met up with you both. Joe very impressed with the way you did the Ultra and Lynn and I both have no dought that you will succeed doing the Arch to Arc. Keep up the good work. Paul great run mate and superb support for Joe. I hope we see you when she makes her Arch to Arc attempt in July.
Ed Lynn

hi jo, just to say well done super women ! it was great to see you achieve this challenge and what a great time we had, i have not laughed so much for a long time and i will not say to much about Lycra ! hope to see you in June and all the best for the training towards the Arch to Arc, come on jo !