Full testimonial by Ian Badman-Dunphy

I don’t know about you, but I’m the sort of person that likes to know how things work and to understand the necessary ingredients to achieve desired outcomes, or, dare I say it, success.  But we know that I little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.  Over the years I’ve picked up snippets of information from headlines in magazines, training books or ‘advice’ from club mates about how to train.  The problem with this of course is that it can fuse into a mish-mash of information.  The obvious thing then for me was to find a credible source of information with the addition of steer and coaching.  This ‘source’ had to be personable, interested and considerate to my own specific needs and aspirations and these qualities are what I found in Ann.

Now 40 I decided to cut my teeth on the amateur road racing circuit, but although a late comer I nonetheless wanted to be committed to this and to do it to the best of my ability ‘all things considered’, I have a family and a busy and demanding job.  Ann, through the Polka Dot coaching package, has been a breath of fresh air and an answer to my wanting for a credible source of information to programme and shape my training within the constraints of my life.  Of course the added bonus with Ann is that she meets all of my expectations and more in a coach, as after a relatively short time we have laid the foundation of a partnership that has a shared vision about what I want to achieve with a realistic time scales for this.

So, do I have any measurable successes to share with you now?  The answer to this of course would be premature as the forthcoming racing season will be the true test of this, but indications are good as I placed in the top 6% of a tough sportive last week where previously I’ve placed well below this.  I can certainly tell you that I have enjoyed the 3 months to date with Ann and the combination of my personal improvements and this recent indicator have fuelled an appetite to want more, indeed, I’m now starting the Yellow Jersey package with Ann.

Thanks for your commitment Ann; it’s been a pleasure working with you!

Ian Badman-Dunphy

6th February 2010.

Summary of personal benefits of Polka Dot package
  • Credible information transferred into specific and reliable programming;
  • Increased skill on the bike, particularly related to pedal stroke;
  • Indicators of increased performance, e.g. lower resting heart rate and improved recovery;
  • Improved top end speed over longer distances as demonstrated at the ‘Hell of the Ashdown’ sportive:
  • External observations of improved performance (e.g. from cycling buddies);
  • A realisation that the best kit is my mind & body not the latest gismo;
  • An appetite to continue this partnership with AB Coaching, and
  • Increased confidence for starting the racing season.

Pretty darn good I’d say.

Photos courtesy of: www.sportivephoto.com