Mark how did it go today?

Do you know what? I really enjoyed it. I felt it was a success. We strive to do that. Boxfit was always well run so we have tried to carry that on. It is about the judging - make it strict but as fair as possible and I think we achieved that.

                                                                                   Simon Bellinger                Mark Drury

"What makes X Training unique is that the Judges penalise you for mistakes, but they are very much there for you, willing you on and encouraging you when you are really tired. I think a lot of PB’s made today are in someway down to the judges"

What time did you start today ?      

I started at around 7am, but didn't’t finish last night until around midnight. In fairness that is how it has been for the last few days. But you have to that. If you leave it too late you won’t have it right for the day, so I put the time before hand to get it right and then step back and enjoy it a little bit more on the day because it runs itself.

You didn't’t compete this year?

No – I don’t know how I competed last year! Cos I was shattered just walking up and down

Did you feel at any stage that you wanted to compete?

Not today I have to say. I was quite satisfied with the way the event went and I would have been far far  too tired to compete and would have been disappointed with my result, but leading up the event I was training hard because so many of the people from this club take part , so I was training with Simon Bellinger and others. You kind of get the feeling I would want to do it today, but I was glad I didn't’t. Last year I did it 19 53 and I would have liked to have beat that.

You have also trained others from other gyms to do this?

Mikki and Amber from David Lloyds, Basildon had to visit you because allegedly all though they have some the top X Trainers at their gym and they all train together when they have the time (Jason King, Mikki Skingsly, Nelson Anderson and Nik Kandola) allegedly the gym does not like the concept of it.

Yeah Mikki and Amber came up and it was about the training for this event. Mikki did really well; in fact she won her class, so she obviously listened to me at some stage!

What was the highlight for you today?

A few different things - successful judging being one definitely. I was really proud of the guys and girls, they all stuck to their guns. It’s a long day and they have to concentrate, I was tired so I know they were too, but they all did really well and coped with every single competitor. You can get caught out on really strict judging; if you haven’t trained properly it will catch up on the judging. Judges are only human and they do the best they can under the circumstances.

Thanks Mark and we look forward to next year

Sally Cooper                                             Amanda Deane

Steve, you used to take part in the Ultrafit back in the nineties, how many Ultrafit events did you take part in?

Five , maybe six.

Did you rank in those events?

Not really, I was averaging about twenty minutes for an event. I have come here today and am doing the intermediate and moved up an age group and found its all relative, because every one has moved up with me.

How have you found the transition between the events in the 90’s and today – has X Training gone forwards or backwards?

Forwards definitely, there is more innovation into it. Ultrafit had run its course when they stopped doing it, but now X Training events are happening all over the country, with different courses, different levels, different elements within the courses, either on cv or weights. Yeah I would say it has got a lot better.

What about the gym you are at now? Do they do X Training there?

No, I tend to work solo. I don’t necessarily work out specifically for X Training, its all about improving my level of fitness and focusing on the events that I enter to get me through the course basically

What gym to you train at?

Fitness First in Bedford

How do you fit training in around work?

It’s difficult, I tend to shift work, earlies middles and late's and sometimes through the night, so sometimes it does have an impact on my training and you have to balance that with quality of life

How do you see the future of X Training?

I hope it keeps going and they take into consideration the people that have been around for a long time, especially the guys that are getting a bit older. It goes to show , that coming here and seeing a lot masters and veterans still taking part is a good thing. They are a driving force for X Training

You look like a military man – were you?

Yes, I spent fourteen years in the Armed Services, serving with 9 Paratroop Squadron, Royal Engineers 59 Commando and finished with the Pathfinder Platoon

Cheers Steve. Impressive stuff and good luck in your next event.

How do you feel  today Lloyd?

Great event. It was tough. A lot harder then in training. I was about 18 seconds outside my PB. Definitely harder then in training!

What was the hardest part for you?

The run I think. I would normally run at 16 kph (800m) but I couldn't’t hold it and had to come down to 14. It’s a bit difficult to train properly in my gym because a lot of the equipment has a bit of distance between it, so the transition times are slower and you recover slightly, but because it is close together here, you don’get that.

When did you begin to feel it?

 Just after the step ups, the adrenalin has gone and I felt tired.

But a good result and look forward to seeing you at the next event.

Well done.

Some of Lloyds clients

                         left( Andy Brown) Centre (Carlo Zocalli) Right  (Olivier Jaquart)

First timer Carlo Zicalli

Carlo how did it go for you today?

Really good. I was surprised because I was about 45 seconds quicker then my PB which I did on thursday.

It is a little bit strange racing somebody, because you can see them edge ahead and you start to worry. You don’t get that in training. As it got towards the end I was still trying to pace myself a bit, but I was out of breath, my heart rate was up to 198 bpm and I was giving it everything and your opponent hits the treadmill and he is racing at 19kph and you think, how can I compete with that?

Well obviously you did Carlo – you won your first event. What did you think of the day?

It was a really well run event. For a first timer, to do this today and see how it works is really satisfying. This is my bench mark time and I will see how I do next year. I think its fair to say we all enjoyed it today. It went smoothly and I look forward to picking my trophy up.

Andy Brown (Client)

First Timer

It was my first event today on the Intermediate. I didn't’t beat my PB, but it was a great experience, well organised and a really good event. I will be at the next one.

Olivier Jacquert

Yeah I really enjoyed it. I am getting fit to do some other stuff and had never really focused on X Training , but since I have discovered it, I have caught the bug and really enjoy it. Today was a great day and you learn a lot by competing, so I will come back again

Lloyd

How  about your guys today Lloyd – how do you feel about them?

I wouldn't’t be here if these guys weren't here. They all performed really well. Most of them got PB’s and those that didn't , was probably down to the strictness of judging (which is a good thing) but you can’t always train for that in a gym. If it wasn't’t for these guys I would be out of a job. They all did really well and I am really proud of them all.

Lloyd gets a deservedly big well done from his clients.