Michelle Dillon：
"When I first found running and started training more seriously, I knew that I wanted to be an elite athlete"
Michelle Dillon is a two-time Olympic triathlete. She has represented Great Britain in winning silver in the World Duathlon Championships in 2001, gold at the European Triathlon Championships the same year, finishing 1st at the London Triathlon in 2002, and returning to claim gold at the World Duathlon Championships in 2005, among many others.
After a back injury halted her career in 2008, she turned to coach and has coached some of the finest athletes the country has to offer such as Jodie Stimpson and Emma Pallant.
Stuart Hayes:
"Coaching helped me retire – it made me realize how much I love triathlon"
In 2010 he won his first ITU Triathlon World Cup event in Kitzbühel, Austria; Hayes was part of a group of five riders who broke away on the cycling leg of the event and won in a time of one hour 52 minutes 32 seconds.
Hayes was also selected to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the men's triathlon, finished in 37th place
Q & A
1. Did your passion for triathlon and sport bring you together?
Yes, both Michelle and I met at Bath University training in the high-performance squad with the British Triathlon team.
2. What does daily life look like for a pro-athlete couple?
The great thing about being a pro-athlete triathlon couple is you can train together and structure your day around each other rather than against each other. So we could maximize our days to suit our training and maximize performance, recovery, etc.
3. Do you have any unforgettable sporting moments you've had with each other?
Yes, lots! We are so fortunate to be able to spend so much time together and we have also been successful at the same races over the years. One that really stands out for me is the Salford World Cup in 2004 when Michelle Won and I was 2nd and we both stood on the podium together. We have also both been on the podium at the London Triathlon together as well, and also at the World Championships Triathlon in 2002 when Michelle was 3rd and I was 3rd. e were over the moon to be able to medal together at major championship races! Good times!
4. Do you ever get competitive with each other?
Sometimes when we are joking around we would race each other in training, but I always wanted to help Michelle in her training and she is very determined. She pushes herself to keep up with me in training which really helped her improve.
5. You're a couple, and working and training together, so spend a lot of time with each other! How do you separate your business and personal lives?
Thankfully we have a great relationship and we get on so well, we are a great team. We have always worked together well in business and respect one another so it all carries over to our personal life as well, we have a great balance in our lives and we’re really happy, I think this makes a huge difference and is why we get on so well.
6. Do you feel it helps both of you with your individual goals when you train together?
Yes definitely, we encourage each other and we know each other very well, so we help each other strengths and weaknesses and get the best out of one another.
7. What are your plans and goals for the next five to ten years in the sport?
We both want to compete in Age group races in the next five years because we really enjoy being involved in our sport not just as coaches but as athletes as well. It’s great to have your own personal racing goals and stay very much in touch with the sport when your a coach as it helps you understand the athletes better, as well as be able to train alongside them.
8.Any advice for other couples who work and train together?
Have a good balance in your life, its not all about work, swim, bike and run, it is important to have a life and friends outside of the sport as well and do things away from the sporting arena and working environment to keep you hungry to come back and train hard. Keep the balance right!
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