Tim Don: Processing, Road to Outlaw X
by Chris Galley
Our friends at Endurance Sport TV recently gave Pedalnorth the opportunity to watch their new documentary featuring ‘The Don’.
‘The Road to Outlaw’ provides a looking glass insight into the life of an elite athlete during the Covid 19 pandemic. The ups and downs, cancelled races, complications of lockdown home life and how Tim managed to stay focused to build up to the famous 70.3 distance triathlon at Outlaw X. Tim is also the athlete that trained to the highest level after a potentially life changing injury, being held together by a halo frame while allowing his body to heal. There’s no denying the mental strength of Tim and this film encapsulates the spirit of this inspiring triathlete
It’s fair to say Tim has been on a journey after his near life changing accident days before Kona in 2017. The ‘man with the halo’ chapter in his triathlon career is now steeped in sporting legend and Tim is most definitely a stronger racer for it. A year later in October 2018 and after reaching deep into his soul for the spirit to drive on he stood proudly on the start line of Kona 2018.
Even though Tim is the world record holder for Long Course distance, with a mind bending time of 7:40, his journey towards triathlon racing perfection is what motivates Tim. His dedication to the sport, his ability to break down and analyse each element of his training, utilising the very best technology to clawback marginal time gains. Listening to world beating advice from his coach and employing meticulous planning for future races is really what makes him one of the best racers in the world. It takes great love, care and his years of experience to juggle all this race prep around his family. This film spotlights and affirms the stability and grounding from his wife Kelly. Families and partners are so often overlooked in sport and it’s hard not to feel emotional at points during this film.
So early in 2020 when Tim’s race calendar is cancelled his training focus and all of his goals dissolve into the ether. His family quickly became the centre of attention, his dog Mabel needed walking and red wine and gin became more important than turbo sessions and treadmill sprints, Tim found for the first time in his racing career he had a problem to motivate himself!
This film is a real insight into how the modern elite athlete finds that something special, that something greater than most to succeed. Not only to reach the start line in peak condition but also to strive to win the race. It’s a must see and you never know, it might just motivate you to work hard through lockdown periods and stand on the start line of an Outlaw race next year. Of course we are all hoping and praying both triathlon and sport in general will be up and running globally in 2021.