Philip Dyer: In response to your desperate plea I have written 'A Little Story'. Having had a wonderful season placing second in the Grand Prix (my friends still think that I almost beat Michael Schumacher!), and winning the 40-44 Scottish Championships for the second year on the trot (organised by the energy ball RR). I took time to reflect and wonder why I have turned into such a raving masochist; who was responsible and did I now need counselling and rehabilitation? The suspects are plain to see - Tony Bithel my coach, Iron Man, lightweight runner up in the British Championships 2002 (don't ask his age), all-round super fit. Or perhaps Nik Fleming, an inspirational rower, former World Champion and clearly mad (rows twice at every event!). Or was it John at my local gym - he was the guy that said you have good technique, if you just... After much deliberation searching my failing memory (I am convinced that endorphins help you to forget), I returned to the glaring truth: it was Tony. I met him at a local fitness competition. Five events, which included a 1,500m row. Having won it for the first time (the row that is - I always succeeded in coming overall in the bottom 25%), Tony sneaked up to me and said, have you ever entered a Concept 2 Rowing competition (gulp � it's all flooding back). Never heard of them was my reply. Before I knew it, I was preparing (well that is what I thought I was doing) for the North of England IRC. Straight on the Rower, no warm up, no plan, no brains! When I finished I could barely walk, breath or talk (does that sound familiar?). Once I got home I thought - wow! That's the sport for me. Concept 2 unleashed the fruitcake in me. Tony now presides over my budding rowing career, overseeing the madness with the enthusiasm of a teenager (ok, he is nearly 60 - sorry boss). He is the bee's knees, not only does he get me focused and fit, he keeps my feet on the ground with his wisdom, practical and philosophical approach. So - he can't walk on water yet, but he is a dry boy, what would he be doing in the water! I end my little story with one of my ambitions - when I grow up I want to be as fit as Tony!