Meet all of Team Dillon Athletes

David Anderson

Coming from a mountain biking background and falling into Triathlons a few years ago, managing to meander through various events from sprints to half ironman with varying degrees of success, I decided to find myself a coach after delving through many web sites and talking with several prospective coaches I opted for Team Dillon

I have been training with Annie and Team Dillon now for about 9 months and have seen increases in my strength, speed and stamina. Annie takes into account what is happening in my life when setting my training schedules and ensures everything fits in to an already hectic week. I feel very well looked after!

This year has not been without its time lost due to injuries. Annie though has kept the motivation high through down time periods finding other ways of maintaining training levels. A lot of training can be repetitive, but with Annie’s knowledge and approach no two sessions are the same.

Annie’s knowledge of sport and the people involved is second to none, this year she has managed to answer questions ranging from 5K sprint races to swimming the English Channel!!!!
 

Dan Falconar

2009 was my first season of triathlon and was particularly tough as I only learned to swim front crawl in March. My cycling background and determination to succeed allowed me to achieve some good results, but my unstructured approach to training was clearly holding me back. Soon I joined Team Dillon under Fraser Cartmell's wing. Fraser is a truly inspirational athlete enjoying ongoing racing success at the highest level, yet he finds the time to provide me with the tailored sessions that I need and keeps a good level of contact to ensure that I keep focus in the right areas. Moreover Fraser respects my busy and varied work schedule and sets suitable sessions as appropriate. In 2010 I have a range of events planned both at home and abroad and at varying distances. My goal is to race at GB age group level, so Fraser is helping me to build up the fitness I need to achieve my goal and encourages me to work on my weak areas. Now all that remains is to remain focussed and to race, so watch this space!

Chris Hayward

I have been training with Team Dillon for around 6 months now. The improvements I have made in all 3 disciplines have been huge. Under Michelle, my swimming stamina has increased by at least 300%. Before I would struggle with a 1500m set and now I am regularly swimming 4-5K. I have seen this much improvement because the variation in swim sets makes every swim enjoyable. I will also claim some credit as I have had to put a lot of effort in!! (Michelle says every completed set is like putting money in the bank which can be used later on during races.)
 Most of my cycling, due to the poor British winter weather, was done on the turbo - and I enjoyed every second of it!!  The sessions Michelle puts on the programme are tough but when you start them they are incredibly fun and addictive (completely hammering yourself every session is a joy!!). You get a huge sense of satisfaction from that knowing what you are doing is working and you will be better from doing it.  After doing around 4 months of turbo sessions and then going onto the road I was blown away with the amount of speed I could hold. Before training with Michelle I was struggling to hold 21mph for any length of time. Now I can hold 25mph without too much trouble. Michelle’s sessions have improved my biking beyond recognition.
 As a runner, I thought I had already reached my potential and didn’t think I would improve at all seeing as I hadn’t for the past 1-2 years. I was training with a run club 3 times a week and training every day twice a day doing the same things day in day out.  With Michelle I can honestly say I have never felt so strong during running and I have never been this fast before. I am even doing less mileage.  I have seen my 5K PB drop by over a minute and this is only with 6 months of training. Every session is different. I have only repeated a session once (I think). Every session is fun and I am constantly finding I can push my body further and for longer as a result of these incredible sessions.
 I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of Team Dillon coaching. My favourite sessions so far are the bike run sessions. These are by far the most challenging and satisfying as you push yourself so hard that you have to collapse at the end.  Every week I have seen some improvement and over a 6 month period a little becomes a lot. I can’t wait for this year’s winter training so I can improve the same amount again!!
 The reason we all train is to race hard. I feel much more physically prepared for my events and I can’t wait for my first standard distance triathlon to see if I can put all three aspects together and break 2 hours.

 Mark Rossi

Michelle has revolutionised my training and in only a few week I can genuinely see and feel the difference. I had been overtaken about 12 times by Michelle at Monaco 2006 on the run alone and hence witnessed at first hand her talent. Subsequently, when I recently learn't that Michelle was prepared to share her experience and enthusiasm with mere mortals I jumped at the chance to learn from the best. Michelle has put structure and content into my training and renewed my waning enthusiasm for triathlon. She is seemingly always available to answer questions, provide guidance and has been a pillar of support throughout my training and racing programme. Irrespective of your current ability, if you want to improve and enjoy your sport more, Michelle will get you there.

Catherine Liversidge
"Since training under Team Dillon I've been enjoying my training far more than ever before and have seen improvements in my performance in training alone.  Having my training plans prepared for me has meant I've pushed myself so much more than I would have done on my own, and I know they're being developed with expert knowledge and huge experience, which gives me great confidence.   Any questions I have are always answered straight away, which is great.  I'm really looking forward to my races this year and much more confident going into them than I was this time last year!"
Catherine has this year qualified for the world championships to be held on the Gold Coast in Sept this year. Good luck Cath.

Catherine Runs a gorgeous B&B called Cinnamon bear lodge located in a quiet area of Fernie, British Columbia in the Canadian Rockies. See this link for more details http://www.cinnamonbearlodge.net/

Chris McCarthy

Having been slightly above-average at a number of sports I was determined to push for excellence when turning to Duathlon and achieve the age-group GBR vest i've always wanted. A strong coach-athlete relationship is fundamental to most successful athletes and with Annie - the 2005 World Number one ranked duathlete - i'm clearly on to a great thing. The sessions are well thought out and Annie has taken the time to ensure my other commitments are taken into consideration. I'm already feeling stronger after just a few weeks. It's more than just the training plans, however. Annie is always there for advice, support and to stop me when I constantly berate myself for riding like a fat man on a donkey! The support from Team Dillon in general has been superb - I feel like every angle of my sport is being covered. I'm definitely in the right place to achieve my goals.

Cris Swinhoe

Craig Twigg has been coaching me since January 2010. At the time I had been training hard since the previous October for Ironman France at the end of June, working on my usual principle of if some is good more must be better!" Craig has focussed and structured my training and introduced much more variety. Particularly useful has been the cycling strength work and speed sessions for my running. The volume is still high, which I am happy with.
It is great to have Craig to talk to and discuss ideas, worries and successes with. It is good occasionally to have him to curse in one's mind when in the middle of a particularly hard session!
For myself, returning to triathlon after a 15 year break and undertaking a long course event, which previously I had considered a "bridge too far" his support has been invaluable. I think it will be particularly important over the next 8 weeks as doubts and concerns creep into my mind. I am very pleased that he will be there to structure my taper in training leading up to the 27th June 2010.
I am very happy to be part of Team Dillon.

Jodie Stimpson

As I have been in triathlon since I was 9 years old.  Michelle Dillon was a name that every one knew in the triathlon world! Mish was the athlete I wanted to become, she was the best triathlete not only on the Great Britain team but world wide. She was the athlete that every one feared on that start line and to have that power is un-true. The race is never over which is just one of the many things I have learnt from Mish.
In Michelle’s training programme I am finding new limits that I never new I had in every session as every session you push your body and mind to higher boundary’s!
Michelle’s training is definitely hard core but so is triathlon and it’s not for the weak hearted but I love it! Michelle is the most determined, strong minded person I know which gives me such motivation. For the first time im actually feeling like a runner and have improved so much in all three disciplines in the short space of time training under Michelle and I couldn’t be happier! Being part of team Dillon is exciting and so is the future! More on jodie can be found at www.jodiestimpson.co.uk
 

Stewart Harris (Coach Fraser Cartmell)

I have been competing in Triathlon for a few years now moving up from Olympic to Ironman distance and have been plodding away each year. I took the decision, well my wife did, to seek professional help to get me to the next level and to get the most out of my hard work to date. I decided to go to Team Dillon because of Michelle and her exceptional background and outstanding career in Triathlon. Through ‘Team Dillon’ Michelle offered me the services of Fraser Cartmell, a current Ironman 70.3 champion as my personal coach. After a lengthy chat with Fraser, it became apparent that I had found what I had been looking for. With Fraser and Team Dillon behind me, we have tailored my training to allow real focus to specific sessions and I am already feeling the benefits. The weekly training programmes are tailored to suit my busy work life and fit around my available time, but without sacrificing the key fundamentals. Fraser quickly established what was required within my training and is working towards where I need to be for specific races throughout the year. Not only do I have a one to one coach with Fraser, I also have the back up of Michelle and the rest of the team, ensuring that I get the very best in personal coaching. 

Thanks Fraser & Michelle.

Jack Loveday (coach Annie Emmerson)
After coming back from a fairly long-term injury I felt i needed a bit of guidance to help me reach my full potential - I was putting in a lot of volume but got to a point where I wasn't really getting any faster. After being coached by Annie Emmerson for only a short time I am already feeling stronger than ever. My traniing load has decreased, but the quality has improved no end. This has not only left me feeling faster, but I am also feeling less tired and more motivated in general. I have been really impressed how quickly both Annie and Michelle reply to any questions that I have, the throughness of the training schedules set for me and especially how well Annie takes into account other things that are going on during my week. I have had other coaches before, but have never felt this well looked after!

Mark Butler (Coach Annie Emmerson)

I started this season as a complete novice to triathlon & decided to join team Dillon after finishing my first ever race in a time of 1hr 41. I'd put in a lot of hours in the gym but figured that just pounding the treadmill & putting in lengths in the pool probably wasn't the best use of my time & that coaching was probably the way forward.. If you're going to do something then do it properly! Less than 2 months later after the amazing help of Annie Emmerson I was crossing the line in my first ever Olympic race in a time of 2hr 29 which seemed like a world away before Annie started coaching me. I really have just gone from strength to strength with every week of training & my performance is on a serious upward curve having just finished the season with a sprint time of 1hr 16, a full 25 mins better than when i joined team Dillon & that was with less than 3 months of coaching! I'm now really excited about putting in some serious training over the winter & hitting next season hard... with Annie's help who knows what's possible! I'd recommend team Dillon to anyone who has the motivation & determination to improve & an open mind about where their limits lie"

Mark Statham (Spike)

"I had always dreamt of being made hot and sweaty by a sexy olympian,and now Im living the dream!!!!  Is it all its cracked up to be??
Well yes,lets be honest who wouldnt want to be coached and mentored by a superstar? Having struggled through several Ironman races on my own,I knew I needed to find some direction.Whilst Michelle has only been coaching me a few short weeks,I just know I have made the right choice.Her enthusiasm shines through,and she is already pushing my training to a whole new level.Im honoured to be a Dillon athlete and only hope I do her dedication justice..even if she doz make me wear flowers!"

Zoe Morrisett

Mish has changed my life! She has gently coaxed me from thinking that, one day, I might possibly finish a triathlon to realising that I was quite mistaken about where my limits are! I'm now looking at achieving a decent time for my first tri next month, and as for London '09: Bring it on!
I've gone from timid to reckless, from not totally unfit to, in some places, rock hard, from motivated to obsessively competitive: I've caught myself trying to outrun a bike, over-swim someone with fins and paddles and desperately hankering after a speeding fine on my bike!!  Mummies from school have taken to come and watch me swim in disbelief, I have turned up to restaurants in my cycling gear, instead of the usual heels'n WAG bag and my house has indeed been taken over by fluorescent stuff. In short, a new Zoe has been born: She's bad, man!
I blame it on the Dillon effect: to be trained by Mish makes you think nothing is impossible and actually get there.

Craig Sharman " The Sharminator"

You’ll be made to drink ‘orrible green glup, lost on long runs, Get bigger shoulders from all the swimming, turn your house into a homage to triathlon, Have legs that permanently feel like they weigh twice their normal weight. Cycle, cycle and cycle a bit more. But… and it’s a big one, being coached by Michelle had changed me dramatically and focused my training towards my specific 70.3 goals more than I could imagine. Every week I get a bespoke programme tailored around my racing schedule, goals, personal restraints due to time, existing injury and every other aspect of my life.
With Michelle and Team Dillon I know I made a great choice of coach and will achieve the success I want.If you want to really achieve your goals and perform to your best don’t scrimp using generic cheap coaching options…. Invest in yourself, it’s worth every penny and I can’t recommend Team Dillon enough.

Read more on Craig's road to clearwater with his personal blog  http://craigtriathlon.blogspot.com/

Chrsitian Ashmore

I started competing in Triathlons back in 2003 with a Sprint distance at London, ever since then I’ve plodded along, putting some average times in at Olympic distance.
I’ve managed to go sub 2:30 twice along the way and decided that I’d like to get a bit more serious with my training in 2009 and set myself some challenging goals.
I joined Team Dillon in July and even in the short time so far have made excellent progress in all areas, setting a new PB at the London Duathlon. Mish gives me a programme that I can fit around work, family etc but that also pushes my training boundaries to the limit! Mish is always very responsive and supportive, and being part of such a successful team is a big motivator to do well and not let the side down!
I am really looking forward to my first proper Winter training schedule and under Mish’s guidance am confident for a successful 2010 and achieving my goal of a 2:10 Olympic distance time. 

Danielle wilkins

I have been training with Michelle since September 2008 and it has been great to follow a structured programme.  I have done 4 triathlons before and now realise by undertaking programmes set by Michelle that I was not doing half of the training I should have done to achieve my best performance.  As well as constructing my programmes she gives me nutritional advice and ideas for recipes for evening meals etc. to compliment my training.  I am also getting the benefit from use of the some of the Megaburn products, the Megaburn bars, Megasoy and Megaburn body boost, which I really enjoy.  The best thing about my training programmes are that Michelle fits my programmes around my lifestyle, I work full time and have two demanding children.  If I do not manage to get on the bike I use a turbo trainer at home and have just purchased a treadmill at home to help me through the dark nights of winter.  Michelle is an extremely positive person in her emails and calls and really boosts your confidence and spurs you on to train hard.

Lee Wingate

"I've cheered Michelle on at several World Cups and Word Champs over the last few years and been thoroughly impressed by what she has achieved....when my own training needed a bit of a re-charge and a bit of a boost up to the next level...I got in touch with Michelle to see what might happen....knowing that she has a stable of World Class Athletes is a real buzz and a serious motivator....she'll push you to your limits in training, and then you realise...hang on...that wasnt really my limit so lets keep going...the advances ive made in the last few weeks have been fantastic and everything is on track for my major targets I have for next year. Having an Olympian and World Champ as your coach definately gives me an edge over the competition, I look forward to racing off into the distance with Team Dillon on my kit! "

Stuart Hayes

Stuart is already at the top of his sport and although missing out on selection in Beijing this year due to bad luck with two flat tyres in the trials. Stuart continued to turn heads in his debut season in the USA when he won Chicago and Malibu triathlons and finished on the podium at most of the races he toed the line for. Stuart finished 2nd in the Life-time fitness non-drafting series and won the last race of the french GP. This has been Stuart's most successful season of his career.
Stuart says" Since changing my training under Michelle's programs I feel like a different athlete. This has been my best year finishing consistantly on the podium in some of the world's biggest  races. I have had the best winter's training ever and changed my nutrition to megaburn products which helped me feel good and maintain a perfect racing weight. I am running faster & havent been sick all season because of 'Body Boost' . My results are proving that Michelle's training does work and I'm looking forward to building on this again for next year. See Stuart's Website www.stuarthayes.com

Kelly Kjonnerod

When signing up with team Dillon, I was very clear about what I was looking for. I wanted a coach that saw me as an athlete, but at the same time made room for me to be a normal person and live a normal life and not just an athlete who is supposed to behave like a machine where it is all about speed, cadence, Watt, HR etc. Being an age grouper, sport is a part of my life, but not my entire life, therefore it is important for me to be consistent with my training and not try and cramp it all into a weekend. Michelle has been great at helping me out with balancing work and personal life with training. The weeks are more structured, I feel fitter each week and my training is a lot more consistent than it used to be. Michelle is always quick to respond to any questions I might have and if I have had a poor workout, I can count on Michelle to pick me up. All her motivating words and positive energy really rubs of on me and I can’t do anything but smile.

Amit Abhyankar

"I decided to enter the 2009 Vineman 70.3  race set in california, with my wife in November 2008. It has been 5 years since my last triathlon (Olympic distance) and a few weeks into training I quickly realised I could not cobble together a plan myself. I had a talk with Michelle before signing up as I wanted to ensure that it was possible to have training plan that factors in a long working week. I tell Michelle in advance what days I will be able to train based on my work schedule and she pulls together the weekly programme accordingly. I also ask quite a few questions regarding the sessions and she always responds quickly. I have noticed a significant improvement in my fitness and energy levels and am really looking forward to Vineman later this year."

Peter Curry

"In the early months of making the transition from rugby player to triathlete I really missed not having the support and guidance of a coach. Luckily towards the end of 2008 I was lucky enough to find Michelle who has since been a revelation to me. In addition to being a fountain of knowledge, ever present sound board and inspiration, she has pushed my training onto the next level and really opened my eyes up to what is possible if you really put your mind to something."

Kevin Braithwaite
I started training in March 2007, raced 3 sprints in May, June and July and finished the London Tri in August in 2:47 which I was pleased with, but it was hard going, training and racing and knowing I could do better. I was basically completing the race and not racing.
I enjoyed the challenge so much in 2007, decided to race again in 2008, but how to improve my training to get the most benefit without the pain!
Michelle is a great motivator and recommended that I put in some hard winter training to build up to race season, to be able to train to race and not to just finish.
I would recommend Team Dillon coaching to anyone at any level.

Neil Odom-Haslett
"After my inaugural year of triathlons in 2007, it
was clear that I needed some help.  Having competed, or rather taken part
in, the London Tri and then watched Michelle win, I thought it would be
fantastic if I could learn from the best.  I saw a web link to Team Dillon's
on-line training home page in a Triathlon newsletter some weeks later and
decide fitter than ever, just wish I was 20 years younger.
Team Dillon's programs have ensured no two sessions are the same, making it enjoyable and varied".

 Tay Abhyankar

 Other Athletes that are NEW to Team Dillon include:

Michelle Quinn, Craig Broadway, Ruth Martin, Stefan Leijdekkers, Amy Middleton, Rachel Allen, Tracey Horne, Gaelle Lebray, Lisa Roberts,  David Anderson, Danielle Howell, Stephen Watkins, Jill Parker, Clare Watkins, Mick Williamson, Mark Ward, Wendy Robertson, Kirsty Anderson, Atholl Duncan, Alasdair Fraser & Natasha Dillon.

Our Team is Supported by Scott.