About Me   Name:    Jules Richards Qualifications:    •   Diploma in Personal Training and Sports Massage (Premier Global Training) •   Nutritional Advisor •   Advanced Instructor in Functional Training (Faster Training) •   Emergency First Aid •   BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Biomedical Science •   CRB checked (enhanced)   My passion for health and fitness was ignited after a snowboarding accident in 2002 which left me with a metal plate in my spine. I received very little post-operative care advice so I researched spinal injury rehabilitation and trained myself back to full fitness. My education in human biology and body chemistry coincided with my accident, so the two combined have given me a good grounding in rehabilitation and an understanding of taking things one step at a time to produce great results, as well as helping me to better understand the body’s many systems and how they relate and react to exercise and nutrition.   After my accident I gained a new outlook, I made a conscious decision to see what my physical limits were. I entered the 2007 London Marathon but unfortunately five months before the race the brace in my spine had to be removed as it had snapped. I had to have a further operation to remove it and came out of hospital in November 2006 unable to walk more than a few hundred metres, but decided that, no matter what, I was going to be on the start line the following April. At first progress was slow, but I was determined and trained every day, gradually beginning to feel fitter and stronger. I varied my training to ensure I strengthened my whole body to prevent any further injuries.   The following April I made the start line and completed my first marathon in 4 hours 39 minutes. I would love to say I enjoyed every single minute of it but the last 8 miles were extremely tough, though running down the final 200 yards towards the finishing line was the most incredible experience and all the pain seemed to disappear (it quickly returned when I crossed the line however!).   After the marathon I decided to look for a new challenge and discovered triathlon. I enjoyed the varied training I had done for the marathon - it had prepared me well for my first competition and the shorter distances were great! In 2007 I went to watch the UK Ironman (a long-distance triathlon - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and marathon run to finish) and knew I’d found my next big challenge. The next year was dedicated to training for the event, training twice - sometimes three times - a day, five days a week. This time I was better prepared with knowledge of nutrition and a more refined training programme which allowed me to really enjoy the whole event.   Not all these events have been done solely for self-discovery. I also try to raise money and awareness for many worthwhile charities. The largest of these challenges was the John O’Groats to Land’s End five-day cycle challenge. With four friends, I took on the 180-mile-a-day ultra endurance cycle in the summer of 2008. This event taught me a great deal more about the importance of nutrition and recovery and how people react differently to the strains of exercise.   As well as participating in the sports mentioned previously, I am also a keen surfer, competitive sailor, enjoy rock climbing, golf and tennis so have good knowledge of how to develop the requirements of different sports, from the explosive power needed in tennis to the muscular endurance and strength required in climbing.   This year I’ve once again got a place in the London Marathon so am in training to achieve a time of 3hr 30mins. I’m running for charity (The Piers Simon Appeal) so have two goals: to raise as much money as I can and to take over an hour off my previous marathon time. I’ll keep you posted...
Home | About Me | Services | Benefits | Corporate | Testimonials | Contact | Links   Copyright © Core Fitness Bristol. Website Designed by AD SHIPP