Away from X Training for over two years – and back here today – how does it feel to be back in X Training?

It was  just like I expected it to be … hard ! I struggled today with the intensity of it all, as obviously I haven’t been competing in X Training for some time – felt a bit like a new boy again and trying to find my feet, but also gave me the areas that I need to work on too for next time. But I did enjoy it.

So we can see Steve back in X Training now?

Yes, I will be competing in the Ultra Octathalon in Bristol and then enter Fitness X in Luton and looking forward to The Gorton Grueller, which are all some of the main events this year. I am using the Ultra Octathalon as training for the rest of the events and getting back into X training and looking forward to improving my form as each event goes by.

Tell me about Definition for Fitness

That’s my company. It’s not just about fitness and personal training, its far more diverse and looks at lifestyle and many other areas, including nutrition, lifestyle coaching and looking at all areas that someone can improve their lives– a complete package. We try to look at clients lifestyle and see where we can help improve them in the areas that I mentioned in what we believe to be the best way possible.

Getting back to X Training Steve. It’s not for everybody, but would you recommend X Training as a introduction to fitness?

It’s true, X Training isn't’t for everybody, but it is a really good way of training and if you are looking for results, obviously X Training is a great way to achieve it. For instance people who are trying to lose  weight, by increasing your metabolic metabolism, muscle tone , skeletal muscle it all helps  and reduces body fat. And  X Training  includes a combination of both cardio and weight training, which basically is what X Training is all about. So for me personally X Training is an ideal way to train people if they want to  – no doubt about it.

Tell me about your marathon running, I know it’s what you have been doing a lot of lately , including trips to New York?

I have run the last two London Marathons. Last year’s event was a little short notice for me – about four weeks training! But then I went on to New York in November, so it was a nice stepping stone into Marathon running, and prepared myself far better for it. I was looking to complete it in three and half hours and was just outside, so I was pleased with that. The process involved lots of 10 k’s and half marathons and whilst in New York, I got engaged to Becky too.

How do you see the difference in training for marathons as opposed to X Training and how do you gauge your results?

The one to one racing element of X Training is different to Marathon racing – it’s basically you versus him, whereas Marathon running is a whole field of people. When it’s one on one there is more desire to push yourself and the intensity of it all drags you more into the race.

When you are training for marathons, its quite lonely, lots of outdoor running unless you are working as part of a running club, so it’s very different. But with X Training you its easier to form groups in a gym and buddy up and it’s a little bit more gym sociable 

How did you view your race today with four times winner of ToughGuy Vito Graffaginino? I mean – welcome back to X Training Steve ! Here’s one of the best guys out there at the moment and you are racing him.

Yes, It was really a privilege to race Vito. I mean to win Toughguy four times is amazing, in fact  to win Toughguy is amazing -  but four times ! Unbelievable!   It’s good that he is trying X Training and been competing for roughly six months to a year now and in today’s event he came second – means he’s doing really well. Personally I wish I has been able push him a little bit harder, as the closer the race the more you push yourself – so maybe an even quicker time may have been possible but  I was lacking in the fitness and strength to really go neck and neck with Vito, but great to be in the same race as such a good athlete.

What are your thoughts on the top guy now Chris Lord?

Really excited to watch him race today as I heard so much about him. Since Hywel Davies and Sam Orgee have left the sport there has been no one who really dominated it and been a quite leveled out with a number of really good X Trainers, but Chris is now the main guy with all of his recent wins and everybody else will be striving to try and beat him – he is the guy to beat now.

It would have been great if Sam was still in the sport racing against Chris today - even Hywel coming back to maybe have a one off race with Chris? You never know if that may happen one day – but Chris at the moment is definitely the man to beat, his performance today was incredible.  You know sometimes you can train as hard as you can and it helps, but genetics does plays its role and this guy has tremendous genetics and trains very hard, so for the rest of us its something for us to strive for. And what a nice  guy too – met him for the first time today and it’s good to see people like that in the sport and it can only make the sport better.

Talking of nice guys in the sport – welcome back to X Training Steve , it’s good to have you back and many congratulations on your engagement.

Steve Dowse and Becky Roberts