The second installment of Runningco.com’s Q&A feature is with Camden Catholic’s Kevin McDonnell. Last Saturday, McDonnell won the senior race at the Cherokee Challenge, covering the 3,200-meter layout in a course record of 9:45. McDonnell’s next major-meet appearance will be at the Shore Coaches Invitational on Oct. 6 at Holmdel Park.

What was your summer training like?
I mixed in a lot of running and swimming. I was a lifeguard in Wildwood Crest, so I did a lot of swimming while I was at work. I would usually wake up at 6:30 in the morning and do my run for the day. My average week was 55-60 miles. My highest week was 74, which I did the week before the Cherokee.

While working as a lifeguard, did you have to rescue anyone?
I was involved in about six or seven rescues. I would usually swim out to the person and help keep them afloat. My partner was a lot stronger than me, so he usually brought the person back to shore.

How big was Saturday’s win at the Cherokee Challenge for you?
It was definitely a confidence booster. I was a little disappointed that (Cherokee’s) Alex Yersak wasn’t there because he would have made it an even better race. It would have been great if it was me, Mike Sheehan (of Holy Cross) and Yersak out there. But it was definitely a great way to start off.

What is your reaction to setting the course record at the Cherokee Challenge?
It feels great. I really wanted to get it. I said this at the meet, but I really wanted to go under 9:40. I think I took it out a little too hard and that hurt me at the end.

What are your individual goals this season?
I want to get in the top five at the Meet of Champions. My ultimate goal is to make it to Footlocker Nationals.

Your Holmdel PR is 16:46 (from Shore Coaches last season). What time do you think you can get down to at Holmdel this season?
I’m going to wait and see how I do at Shore Coaches and then I’ll start building goals for the end of the season.

Do you have any pre-race ritual?
I listen to Phil Collins. It’s all about calming yourself before a race.

When did you start running and how did you get into it?
I didn’t start until track season my sophomore year. I played soccer freshman and sophomore years. I ran like 10:23 as a soph, which I felt was pretty good, so I just kept running.

Where are you thinking about going to college?
I’ve been contacted by LaSalle and that is definitely a school I’m interested in. They actually called me (Tuesday).

What is your favorite workout?
I like doing 6x800s at race pace. I love working out hard to get ready for races. I work the best off of 800 workouts.

When it comes to racing, would you rather lead from the beginning and dictate the pace or sit on someone’s shoulder and wait to outkick someone?
I usually like to let someone take the pace out for the first 400 meters or a little more and then take the lead and break them down after that.

What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment so far in either cross country or track?
My 9:26 in the two-mile at the Meet of Champs (last season) is my best memory. I won the second heat, which really isn’t that cool since it’s only the second heat, but it was still my best time of the year.

Where do you see yourself finishing at the Non-Public A state meet?
I think I can be in the top three.

Who is the person, or people, who have had the most influence on your running?
(Camden Catholic assistant coach) Ralph Harris and (Triton head coach) Kevin Pumphrey. Ralph has been great. He makes sure I’m always staying healthy. He watches over me like a brother. Pumphrey (who coached Harris at Triton) just gets me so excited to run. He’s an intense guy. He’s always talks to me about my running to see how I’m doing.

-As told to Kevin Cranston

Sept. 19, 2007