UK GCA Profile

Paul Morton.

Gym - Walsall Fitness First.

How long have you compted in X Training

About 4 years now

Who got you involved and what was your first event?

The famous flying pig Mr Phil Piggott Reeves introduced me to X Training. My first event was The Dragons Gauntlet. What an atmosphere. I was hooked from then on. Couldn't believe how those top guys got through the course with ease (or so it seemed). I remember thinking that's where i want to be. I thought i was fit, until I done that 1st comp. Amazing!!

You dominated Intermediate and are now succesfull at Open - What would say to those hoping to make the jump.

Intermediate is still hard. It's more of a sprint course as opposed to a long winded heavier course and sometimes i don't think the intermediate guys and girls get the recognition they deserve. However, i would say to anybody wanting to step up that take your time in between stations and don't go off like a mad man (like you can in the intermediate), save a bit in the tank. Work on your strength and power to get those heavier weights out, but still maintain your cv base.

You and Steve Mead train together - only a few people can put the effort in, but its good to have \ training partner - could you say some of the benefits.

Definately better to train with somebody. Me and Steve have some awesome sessions at times. We push each other all the way. It's good to break down the course into 3's or 4's, so you do them in intervals with your training partner. We've certainly benefitted from doing intervals. Lastly, it's good to have a partner when you go through a time trial because he can save the stations for me, instead of some dude jumping on them when you're on your own (selfish i know lol). We can really motivate each other

How do you like competing against the forces and would you like to see more police compete?

It's great to compete against the forces. They are the elite, and always good to gauge your fitness against them and all credit should go to Lordy at the moment. The guy is awesome. Really nice guys too. Danny has become a good friend, texting each other from time to time. Would be nice to see more competitor's whether they are in the police or not. Richard Vint has come a long way recently and hopefuly he could encourage more boys and girls in blue.

Describe your feeling about Walsall Event .

We've been really really excited about walsall. We asked for feedback from other events we attended about a comp in the Midlands as it's central for everybody, and everybody i spoke to was really excited too. I think we've designed a course which is definately different to the other's and quite fast (cv based) but still heavy on the bench (45 kg). Just a little miffed as to why we only recieved 19 enteries. It may have been the date, with people being away and not having much time to train etc. Hoping the new date of October 17th will encorage more enteries. I'm still very excited of the event and if all goes well, Stu would like to hold the iron man there next year.

A lot of top sports stars stay away from Gym Based Sports - they know they can't do it! Who would you like to compete against?

Tricky question, I think it would be interesting to compete against any of the top footballers these days. I know they are fit, but could they put all those stations together?? Interesting. I would win of course. Bring on David Beckham!!

Lastly, just want to say that I'm really glad I found X Training. It's definately got me fitter, gave me a purpose to train and met some great people along the way. Just wish it was around when i was in my 20's!!

Let's all pull together guys and move this sport on. Encourage all your fellow gym members. Would be good to get more advertising about the sport (ultra fit magazine etc).