How long have you been doing X training?
6 years.
What are your greatest strengths?
Sue: At Dragon’s Gauntlet the bench won it for me, probably more strength than cardio fit. Steve: My strength when fully fit is a plus, but I’m also good on the bike and run, crap on the row
Sue: And I am even worse!
Do you train each other?
Both: Yes, all the time.
If you had to choose a training partner from the current X Trainers, who would it be?
Both: Only the best – Jacqui Maquisten, Rob Volpe, Will Whitmore (when he’s in the country), not forgetting Kirk and our super fit buddies, Gary and Becky.
Do you prefer cardio training or strength training?
Both: We enjoy both but feel great after a good sweaty cardio!
Who do you admire in the sporting world?
Both: We admire Steve Redgrave and the other 3 coxs; rowing is such a tough and challenging sport.
Have you seen many changes over the years?
Both: Yes. The first training comp we watched was the Ultra Fit at Stratford upon Avon. We were both really inspired and it was run and organised over 2 days. One of the changes I have noticed is that there has been a big drop in the Ladies Category, both Open and Masters; it is just beginning to pick back up again. And what happened to Ultra Fit? It was the biggest Xtraining comp with good sponsorship and all the top X-trainers were there competing year after year. Is that because the prizes were good? The Xzone being another favourite.
Is X Training going forward?
Both: WGC is bringing a whole new field of X-trainers into the sport; many with great potential.
What would you like to see happen in X training?
Both: To get it televised more, bigger sponsorship and hopefully in the future to become an Olympic sport.
If you could compete against any athlete, who would it be?
Sue: Kelly Holmes for me.
Steve: I would like to compete against any top 100m sprint athlete.
Do your clients X train?
Both: Only if they want to be a mad X trainer!
Who do you respect most in X training?
Both: Tough question! We have respect for most people who do X training; it’s a tough sport and many retire after their 1st competition. But the mad ones stay on and conquer all! Top of our list is Rob Volpe, Will Whitmore, Kirk, Jax, Gary and Becky and our Northern top X trainer, Micky White, who’s going to be a big loss to the X-training world. |
