With the start of the 2014-15 season, we have an influx of new Viceorys, our first being Stuart Amory, who is a successful ‘celebrity’ personal trainer based in SW London (it’s true, you can even Google him!):

‘I left the RAF in 2005 where I was a Physical Training Instructor and Parachute Jumping Instructor for 10 years. I’m very active on twitter and through my hashtag #FitTeam14 (changes every year obv) I aim to motivate the masses, or those who follow me to get fitter and lead healthier lifestyles. I’ve always been a keen runner and a few years ago became addicted to parkrun and the goal of decreasing my PB. Feeling the self induced pressure of my followers to lead by example I declared I would do a sub 3 hour marathon and after 2 attempts (PB 3.05.06) this is still a goal I wish to conquer. Having now done 7 triathlons, another goal I have is to do an ironman in 2015…why 2015? Well, I have a young family and want to space out the training/cost and to quieten down people who’ve said that I could do an ironman. Oh and I’m 40 in 2015 too! 

I’ve joined Viceroys Triathlon Club to help me realise that there’s actually 3 disciplines in a triathlon so any help in the water and on two wheels would be gratefully appreciated…and pink suits me! ‘

We look forward to helping you achieve your goals Stuart, welcome to VTC.

Viceroys Peter Bell, Ian Talbot, Kate, Jon, Simon and Suze all had a shockingly early start for an 0800 race on the morning the clocks went forward – a beautiful running day though for the inaugural Brooklands Half Marathon: cold first thing, but warmed up nicely.

Peter Bell was running a different race to the rest of his team, finishing in 1.24.38. 1st in his age group and 18th overall, averaging a 4.01 minute km/h pace for 13.1 miles… and that was after claiming not to be on top form!

Last weekend, cycling Viceroys Adam Buck, Alan Wilkinson,  Graham Chapman and Dan Ellis competed and completed a gruelling 96km in the Cobbler Classic – Gold finishes for the Viceroy lads with fantastic effort all round Last weekend.

The event was a Wiggle ride called the cobbler classic, started on a chilly Sunday morning, the boys took on the standard route of 60 miles.  From the start they had very strong head winds and the route itself was very undulating  – a very challenging day for all, but Alan came in first (and also out himself into 4th place on strava for the race’s start to first feed section segment) then Graham, then Dan, then Adam  –   all had good times and worked hard!

Over the weekend of the Sandown Triathlon Show, a number of Viceroys were seen swiiming Endless Pool demos in the Zoggs swim zone- Colette Kitterhing, James Turner , Lisa Yeoman, Carl Fisher, Alexa Docker, Mark Yeoman, Lara Clay, Joel Stainton and Anna Gilmore. 

Although those new to the experience found the swim initially quite nerve wracking (and the water very cold!) all relaxed once they realised that they were getting a great lesson from a top trainer (Rick Kiddle):

‘Great tips, particularly concentrating on my legs. Just looking forward to putting it into practice at the Xcel tomorrow.’ Alexa

‘The endless pool experience was amazing. I was coached on both my kick and stroke and in a short space of time made quite a bit of improvement. I felt like I was moving through the water easier and for less effort.’ Lara

Half an hour with Rick Kiddle in an Endless pool with photographers and an audience … Why not?!!  You are made to feel like a sports star – get lots of free kit AND get free training tips from the master swim coach Rick himself … Just stay on his good side – he has a little device that can make the current brutal if he decides to crank it.’ Anna 

‘I loved the overall experience of swimming in the endless, with no idea of distance you had to focus on technique and having a current gave instant feed back as to the changes in your stroke. I have never had a mirror below me as a swam either, really interesting to actually see how you swim.        

I also had a heart rate monitor on and did the Swimovate challenge which was 6 mins at 6 different levels, increasing in intensity every minute. By the last minute the current was brutal and I was genially swimming as hard as a physically could to keep my position in the pool and even then I could feel myself being pushed back.    

Then on to paddle and finn demos and some technique drills from Rick Kiddle to try to get me to correct some of my bad habits. 

It was a great experience and I loved it. Lets put it this way if I won the lottery one would definitely be on my shopping list. ‘Colette

‘I found the experience to be fantastic.  The coaches deconstructed my stroke then gave me 4 drills to practice.  The endless pool was brilliant and I’d far rather swim in one of them than a 25m or even 50m normal pool.  Fingers crossed the weather is nice in April for an early lake opening !  Thank you to Mark and Viceroys and Zoggs for organising.’ Joel

Check out our facebook page to see lots of photos and videos of the endless pool at the tri show.

‘This is an epic race – a true pre-season sharpener and great to kick start the season.  It also uses the 8 mile Olympic cycling route round Box Hill – the same loop we often use on our Surrey Hills club rides.  It was my second time racing the Spring version (for those with slightly more sanity – there is also an option to do it in November!). 

Simon Tack has unfortunately had a winter plagued by injury – after a meniscus tear in his left knee on the 13^th October at the end of the first week of Base 1, sustained on a relaxing walking holiday, has now been restarting Base 1 in January with a new improved plan from ‘Mark the Merciless’: ‘Three months behind and somewhat tentative about how much my recovered joint can take there is a great deal of training needed to get Ironman ready.’

Ironman ready???

Yes, Simon has Ironman and more booked for this year!  ‘My targets have now been revised to sub 14 (satisfied) for Ironman. Sub 13 hours (very happy) and sub 12 hours (in my dreams).Eton 10k swim – sub 3 hours 45. 70.3 – sub 7 hours.’

Good luck Simon, we look forward to an update.

‘I race in the 3rd CATS which is …. Yeah you guessed right!…. 3rd Category Cyclists (next is 2nd…. 1st then the elites!) you gain your 3rd CAT license by racing 4th and scoring  (when I started racing road bikes after retiring from MX in 2012) 10 points. Points are awarded: 1st = 10 ; 2nd = 9; 3rd = 8; 4th = 7…  Down to 1 point for 10^th, so you get the idea? After my first race I was hooked! With a 9th place finish I was off the mark! A few false starts later I managed to score a further 8 points and another 3rd place a week later! 3rd CATS here I come! 

Last season was totally wrecked with a back operation in February (6 screws and 2 rods in my spine racing Moto-X bikes for 15 years will do that to you!), so this season I have returned back to where it all started, The Hillingdon Winter Champs! After a great winter training indoors and outdoors (With Mr Yeoman and my Specialized Team Mates Luke Wallis and Alex Jones) I was back up to speed! I’ve had a mixed bag of results but now in the second half of the championships I’ve scored a 2nd, 9th and a 4th so I’m “Happy” but that first win is still not there yet!  

My favourite way to train is miles on the bike. It’s a given! Weather it be in the sunshine and hills or the wind and rain and flat! Trainings training! And I love my bike… Second to that is core work, DeadLifts, squats, burpees, Snatch and PowerCleans! All great fun!’ ‘

Good luck with your racing and training Kevin, but seriously, buy some Viceroys kit 😉