In welcoming Mark Thompson to Viceroys, we weIcome  ‘a self-confessed Iron distance junkie.’ Mark tells us, ‘I am currently living in Weybridge with my family (wife and 3 kids).  I started triathlon about 5 years ago and addiction has grown over the years.     Races on the schedule for this year include IM Lanzarote, IM UK (Bolton) then possibly Challenge Weymouth or Kona (if I am lucking and get a slot).

I am Looking forward to joining a the weekend club rides and run sessions and hope the club can get me motivated to visit the pool or lake more than I should!’

Welcome to Viceroys Mark.

Last year  new Viceroy Scott Forsyth started swimming at the Excel centre, Walton on Thames:  ‘I kept seeing pink swim caps and thought it was time to get more in touch with my feminine side. There was one pink swim hat that moved faster than all the rest (Mr Yeoman). I started talking to the fast pink hat. I liked what he said and he became my triathlon coach (He must be doing something right if he wins the Windsor triathlon!). It was only a matter of time before joined the Viceroys, to allow me to wear pink with pride. 

Many years ago I started as a distance runner, mainly 10km and half marathons. As my body got old I found that it no longer wanted to run for 60 miles a week and I decided that I needed to find a different sport which wouldn’t pummel my body quite so much. Triathlon seemed to fit the bill decreasing my running by one third but introducing the two mysterious new sports of swimming and cycling. I started my triathlon training about 7 years ago.  Not surprisingly, running is the discipline that I enjoy most, cycling is the discipline that I endure and swimming is the way that I get to the start of the bike and is still shrouded in mystery, but at least once I get out of the water, I’m usually passing people all the way to the finish line.

I compete in both sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. My career highlight so far, was competing for the GBR 45-50 age group team at the Triathlon world championships in Hyde Park last year (see the picture). This year I’m signed up for the Eton super sprints and the Windsor Olympic distance triathlon.

Joining the Viceroys will allow me to: keep motivated through training with others, socialise with other triathlon bores,learn from others triathlon experience, share some of my triathlon experiences with others.’

WHAT DO YOU MEAN TRIATHLON BORES?! Looking forward to talking and training with you Scott.

I’m looking forward to meeting you all and brining those times down.

Last weekend, Calvin smashed his marathon PB, but after a great race was still not happy! He tells us his race story and lessons learnt from his race:

‘Preparation was not ideal but I still felt good. The weather forecast said it was meant to rain but it was the complete opposite, the sun was out and we were ready to go. I had my target time so at least my Garmin knew what we were to do. Paris is a good course, better than London but the local spectators have no consideration for the runners and feel free to cross the road whenever they feel they can. It was all going swimmingly until the first big underpath around 18 miles, at least that’s my excuse. My Garmin lost signal and then it told me I ran over 9 min/miles. The last 10k I knew I was in trouble and my target time of 3:45 was going to be a struggle. I came in just over 3:50 and I should be happy with knocking off 6 mins off my last marathon but still was not what I was aiming for.’

Calvin’s advice for a ‘better’ race?

‘1. If you have a target time, stick to it. Just because it feeling good doesn’t make it right. 2. Going on a rugby tour of Cuba a week before the marathon does not count as tapering. That’s just taking the mick. :-)’

Mmm, think we could have figured that second one for ourselves Calvin – well done on a great race.

‘I moved to the Walton area about 2 years ago and joined the Elmbridge Road Running club having previously been a member of Serpentine RC. However as much as I would have liked to keeping up the running my body pretty much has said forget that and so the last 12 months with little or no running I have turned to cycling. Years of running 80plus miles a week and numerous races from 10K to the marathon have for now taken their toll, which brings me to joining Viceroys. I look forward to joining in on social rides over the coming weekends with the aim of just keeping the weight off and retaining some fitness in the hope that I may get back to running down the line. ‘

Welcome to Viceroys Darren.

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.