New Viceroy Suzy Blandford has just started doing triathlons after a background  in running:  ‘I have completed 4 marathons and decided after injury at last year’s London marathon to have a break from the long distance for a while. My boyfriend had got into triathlons from a swimming background, so my first hurdle of being able to swim a few lengths was solved by his swimming lessons! I moved up from Devon to Surrey in December to be with my boyfriend (now fiance!) and as he was already a member of the pink club I decided to join too. I am hoping to get to know the local area a lot better on long bike rides, get use to riding in packs and learn to swim well enough so that I don’t have such a big gap to catch up my fiancé up on the run! As I am fairly new to Surrey and I am also looking forward to meeting lots of people.’

You’ve come to the right club Suzy – we’re a very friendly bunch! And huge congratulations on your engagement to Viceroy Matt Storr.

Julian Marsh is another extreme endurance triathlete, who joined Viceroys, ‘as I have registered for the UK Ironman in 2014 and wanted to have some training partners and meet like-minded individuals. I have always done a lot of swimming and a fair bit of running, but was missing the cycling part until I did the London- Brighton a few years ago. I then registered for the Olympic Distance London triathlon in 2012 and then again in 2013 and decided to take it up a level this year.

I am 36 and would consider myself an intermediate level (I will not be qualifying for Kona), but enjoy the challenge of pushing my body. I have always enjoyed team sports and joining the club will hopefully make an individual sport feel that way. I look forward to meeting everyone and getting to know them better.’

Good luck with your training Julian and welcome to Viceroys.

Husband and wife team Alastair and Jane Bloore  used to do ‘quite a bit of racing’ and have achieved the accolade of getting into the GB age group team and racing in the European Championships in Lisbon and the Worlds in Australia: ‘That was certainly the most expensive race we’ve done. Since then we switched to some long course races and for the last two years have just been enjoying our favourite sports which for Jane is open water swimming and for myself, marathon running where I’m still trying to nibble time of the PB before advancing years start to slow me down. Originally from Birmingham, we now live out in Ashtead and Jane works over in Walton on Thames which is how we have got to know about the Viceroys. Your pink hats are also quite evident at Shepperton lake which we use quite a lot. There is a nice friendly and relaxed feel there.
Although I used to do lots of cycling as I grew up, my regular exercise stopped in my early 20s when someone stole my bike and I replaced it with a moped! 20 years of motorcycling followed until as I turned 40 my belly started to expand and I realised I better get active again. Having picked up a few injuries through running I turned to triathlon which at least spreads the stress on your body across the three disciplines. I love swimming outdoors although regardless of effort or training my pace remains decidedly ‘steady’. Running is perhaps my best sport and I am happy cycling all day long.’

Jane Bloore has always been a keen swimmer but took a break from swimming over my teenage years and rekindled my love of the sport in my mid twenties and completed a fair few swimathons. ‘When I stopped getting faster doing that I decided I would try running and entered the ballot for the London Marathon getting a place first time! This lead to a number of marathons and then onto triathlons where Alastair and I have competed in all distances from sprint to Ironman. Now I am slowing down at running and cycling things have gone full circle and this year I am focusing on swimming. This year’s main aim is the 14km Bridge to Bridge swim from Henley to Marlow in August so you will probably see me most at the weekends in Shepperton lake.’

Welcome to Viceroys  Jane and Alastair.

Happy Easter Viceroys – and what a lovely surprise Easter present Viceroy Carl brought for his lovely wife – VTC membership:

My slight ‘surprise’ Viceroy membership was thanks to my darling Husband, Carl (already a Viceroy), who’s been on at me for sometime to join, emphasising the benefits I could get from it.  First I knew was when I received a lovely email from Kate welcoming me!!

Lisa Price (among other new Viceroys) joins us from another local based tri club where she’s done a few sprint triathlons:   ‘I recently bought a house in Walton with my boyfriend (just ran his 15th marathon!!) and being a member of a local club really appeals; less distance to travel for training, getting to know the local area and everyone at Viceroys seems so friendly.

Until December I was doing what we all do and fitting training around family, friends and a busy job as a primary school teacher.  Then, just before Christmas, I had a painful back injury.  It set me back a bit and I’m now very cautious and still not running again yet.  I have no triathlons planned this year but, to my amazement, I got a place in Ride London so need to step up my cycling!

I would like to have a bit more structure to my training, a bit of motivation and lots of fun! Injury free of course!’

Welcome to Viceroys Lisa, we look forward to supporting you in your recovery and return to triathlon… and socialising too of course!

Toni Riding joins Viceroys as she is just getting back into cycling after over a year off the bike due to a minor accident, ‘and since I am due to complete the Ride 100 in August I thought I ought to get my backside as well as my bike into gear and join a club, as it’s not too much fun training alone.  It has shocked me how much fitness I’ve lost in that time! I used to cycle between 200-250 miles a week (most of it was my daily commute into London)…..now I’m finding it tough to cycle a 30 mile route!!

I joined Viceroys because they are local and I get a good feel about them. I used to run with my previous club (a few half Marathons and 10ks) but my knees are not holding out too well anymore (old age!), so I’m sticking to slow jogs and the bike for now. As for swimming…well let’s just say I can just about swim a length of front crawl without needing to be resuscitated. Hence why I’ve never tackled a triathlon…I was signed up once but chickened out.

I’ve always been driven towards sport and competition, and was a keen athlete all through school. My main sports were Athletics (Hurdles, Relay, Javelin, High Jump) and Netball back then…..but once boys came onto the scene I found other things to do with my time  😉 Current sporting interests when time allows are Ice Skating, Water-skiing, Netball (Level 1 coach).

Outside of sports my interests include Camping (love it!), Nature/outdoors, Photography, Eastern Philosophy, Lumosity (I’m a bit of a geek really), The Universe (yep…proper geek).

Looking forward to meeting all of you over the coming months!’

Welcome to Viceroys Toni, we’re definitely the right club to provide a packed training programme for you.