Richard King coached, trained and cajoled me into changing my belief mentally and physically to complete a challenging 50 mile bike ride. Richard set me the challenge of completing the bike ride. He did this by advising me on my training schedule, my diet and combined this with encouragement and motivation. I did not have the belief that I could attain the level of fitness that I got to and have now maintained for over a year.

I think one of the most important things you have to consider when using a Personal Trainer is your relationship with them. You have to feel comfortable in their presence and have faith in what they are telling you will work. This means setting realistic and achievable targets but at the same time still making them a challenge which is exactly what Ritichie has done for me.

In a panic because of dire lack of physical preparation, we contacted Richie four months prior to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, in the hope that he would be able to provide the fitness support we needed to make our dream a reality. With Richie’s support, encouragement and expertise, we successfully achieved our goal of summiting one of the highest walkable mountains in the world, on New Years Day 2010.

I was referred to Richard as I needed to strengthen my knee after an operation for a damaged ligament. When we met I could walk with difficulty and drive for no more than an hour. After 9 months I can walk for hours in the Northumberland Hills, easily tackling 1 in 6 gradients and I run up stairs. I feel that I am walking better than I did 20 years ago when I lived in the Peak District.

After seeing Richie for a reasonable length of time, last night I completed a 10km run in less than an hour. I never ever thought that I would manage anything like this and have my sights on doing the Great North Run.

Thanks for everything Richie and see you tomorrow morning!