“Dangerous” Keith Dixon (a non-swimmer!)

Joined club in May 2003 as a result of doing Blyth as an independent and having no one to brag to at the finish line.

No previous history in cycling, athletics or swimming apart from the odd fun run and holiday breast-stroke. In June 2004 completed first Olympic distance triathlon at Rippon in 2 hours 52 minutes which included one mile open water freestyle swim.

How was this achieved? Regular training with the club and the following coaching advice:

Swimming (Bob Hogg) – Bob's starting comment was: “your arms need work, try and get flat in the water, turn your body, not your head and high elbow” . He is still trying and does so with a smile born out of a desperation that only broken men know.

Running – advice comes from various patient, quality runners who smile when I tell them about my latest personal best which they achieved at twelve years of age.

Cycling (Colin Gardner / Colin Chapman) – Have both acknowledged that I have gone from useless to average, from those men that is high praise. They also smile when setting sessions but it's from the enjoyment generated from knowing how they are going to make a pleasant guy suffer.

The “Dangerous” nickname? Well I don't like to talk about it and as all members of the club know I do like to talk.

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©Ryton Triathlon Club 2005

Eric Blakie (from novice to Ironman)

From a rugby/squash background, then got into fell running and finally triathlon some four years ago when foot and mouth put a halt on getting into the hills. I found that I really enjoyed triathlon and at my age, was relatively useful.

I was not a very good swimmer when I started (could manage about 6 lengths freestyle) and had never been on a road bike since I had a paper round. My running was my strength but since I'm knocking on 15 stones and 6 foot 5 inches, speed was never going to be my forte (and hence my club nickname Big E).

Anyway, in my first season I just went for it, completing any event going and finally a half Ironman. First time I put my wet suit on was at the start of the Prince Bishop's. Well, since then I've done five full Ironman races ( Austria twice, Japan twice and Canada once) and went to New Zealand for the World Age Group Championships as part of the GB Team. My best Ironman Time was 11.01 at Austria.

However, I am still determined to improve and am entered in another two Ironman events in 2005. I enjoy the traveling and the atmosphere at an Ironman is incredible.

I strongly believe that once you are comfortable in the water and can manage a long bike/run that you can complete an Ironman race within the cut off time which is usually 17 hours - it has amazed me some of the people who complete them including witnessing a 73 year old in Austria. It is a long day so speed isn't as important as endurance and mental attitude. You just have to have the will to keep going to the next feed station and try to enjoy the crowds who can be pretty fanatical.

I also believe it is important to realise if you are thinking of competing in triathlon whatever the distance, that most people start with perhaps some skill in only one of the disciplines. However, the coaching and encouragement is fantastic - you will be amazed at how quickly you progress and what the three disciplines do for your overall conditioning.