"I've been a dedicated swimmer for most of my life until last year when I trained to do the Great North Run. Naively, I thought a nice goal for this year would be a triathlon - since I could swim and run.... all I would need to do was learn how to bike, oh, and transition between all three of the disciplines! Ha!
I heard about Ann's coaching programme and decided to join, enlisting her expertise in the various aspects of completing a traiathon; training regime, nutrition, etc... I'm sure you can appreciate that I also needed some very elementary coaching in cycling! Ann supported me through the it all; getting the right bike through planning out the weekly workout routine....and for that I am really appreciative!
Along the way I've also had several hiccups which we needed to work through - my biggest was an achilles problem which severely limited my ability to do any running training.
On Sunday I completed the race and I am really happy with the result. My training paid off well - so much so that my times were dramatically different (in a positive way!) on the day of the race. I was 6th in my age group on the bike leg!! The other positive is that I actually enjoyed myself - if I hadn't trained well, I'm sure that wouldn't have been the case."
Deb Thompson
"This has been a great way to improve my overall fitness, but mainly focussing on bike riding.
The tailored schedule Ann puts together is based on what you want to achieve and how much time you have to dedicate to it. Knowing that the schedule is specific to your needs is a real confidence boost knowing that the time your putting in is helping you to improve and not going to waste. Be prepared to work hard and you'll see the benefits."
JH
"In August 2010 I was asked if I would like to join a group of 3 other Mums to cycle from London to Paris for charity in May 2011. I love a challenge, so I agreed. The fact that I had only been on a bike once since I was about fifteen years old and even then I had fallen off (my husband had convinced me that mountain biking on a cliff path in France on holiday would be a good idea – it was until I hit the gorse bush...).
My friends said I needed to get a road bike, my husband said a three wheeler. Anyway, the bike ride organisers recommended that I have a road bike and, due to the hills en route, clipless pedals. A triathlete friend then sold me his bike and I had it adapted to fit. I bought the lycra, the shoes and clipless pedals. Then, in January this year I got on the bike and practised in the driveway. It was carnage. I was terrified. It was alien to me. Every time I went out I stacked it and was not enjoying it. Then a friend recommended I contact Ann, which I did the very same day.
Ann immediately boosted my confidence. She congratulated me on taking up the challenge and applauded my efforts at using clipless pedals on a road bike when the last bike I rode probably only had 3 gears. Ann recommended the Yellow Jersey package and it has been fantastic. She set up weekly schedules based on my current fitness levels – I am a regular runner and swimmer.
Ann also came out with me on the bike on two occasions as she understood I had a few anxieties! In the first session she taught me cornering and within the hour I already felt more in control. In the next session Ann helped me with eating and drinking on the go. Ann immediately put me at ease and made me feel I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it. My fitness and confidence on the bike improved greatly as the weeks went by. Ann got me to focus on riding hilly routes in my training. This enabled me to finish days 1 and 2 of the ride without any problems – I was one of the few cyclists who actually enjoyed days 1 and 2!
I have thoroughly enjoyed training with Ann. The training schedules are designed to minimise disruption to my personal life and ensure that my fitness levels keep improving. I am looking forward to Ann helping me with my next challenge – a triathlon!"
Laura A
I first took up Ann’s Yellow Jersey package in November 2010 with the aim of starting road racing and getting to a competitive standard. I had first heard about Ann when reading a report of a Cat 2 Men’s race local to me that Ann had raced as preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
Although taking on a coach was a big financial commitment for me, I am extremely happy with Ann’s service. I did not know anything about specific training for racing, and I did not want to waste precious training hours on training that would not make a difference. Ann’s programmes gave me the confidence that am doing exactly the right kind of training at the right time, and I have seen really good results.
Each training plan is specifically tailored to the amount of time I have to train. I am very noticeably stronger and faster than I was just four months ago. Ann’s Yellow Jersey package is also excellent value for money – not only has Ann provided training plans but a range of information regarding nutrition, nutrition timing, race strategy etc.
Using her experience of road racing, Ann also helped me to choose which races I should be targeting. The result of my first four months of being coached by Ann is that I placed 3rd in my first ever road race, a Cat 3/4 race which I was absolutely over the moon with. I’m now looking forward to racing in the National Series and Womens Team Series to see how I compare.
Abi F
"Nothing beats having a good coach, except Ann who is a great coach! She has the skills and knowledge to help you achieve your goals. I have enjoyed the programs which Ann designed for me. She knows how to push you without breaking you. Thanks Ann."
Damien A
Ann has coached me for cycling since mid 2009 when I initally asked her to set a 3 month schedule for the bike leg of Graniteman triathlon. I found the sessions she set both enjoyable and effective as I soon improved.
Since then I have concentrated on cycling. I have found Ann to be an excellent communicator...she always plans the schedules around the time I have available and they are always tailored in response to how my training/racing has progressed in the previous month. Ann listens to my opinions regarding the training plans and will sometimes change them or explain her rationale.
Ann also suggested I take a food intolerance test after I battled with breathing problems at the end of last year..I was intolerant to certain foods and having cut them out I have few breathing problems and much higher levels of energy than I did before. I was happy with my first season of cycling last year and look forward to another sucessful season with Ann this year.
CAS
"I do some cycling and last year four of us decided to do a long distance sportif race in the Alps called the Marmotte. I did a lot of training and did a reasonable time, but decided that I could probably do it quicker.
With this in mind I got in touch with Ann about 6 months beforehand and had a chat with her. I asked her if she could set out a training plan which was slightly less time consuming than the previous year but would make me faster. Not asking much then.
After a detailed initial assessment including the dreaded ramp test she came up with a plan for me. She usually did it in 4 or 5 week segments which were personalised to my availability for training. The good thing was that within each week there were a variety of rides and each month changed so you didn’t get bored. It also became slowly more difficult, unsurprisingly.
If there was a problem she was always happy to speak about anything. This didn’t just relate to the training itself, but as we got nearer July strategy for the event including most importantly nutrition and hydration.
It paid off as I knocked 44 mins off my time and managed to hit my target of a gold standard for my age (old geezers).
Thanks Ann a good job done."
GW
"I originally asked Ann to help me with my bike training in the lead up to the Granite Man triathlon 2008 and she helped me beat my target time by 13 minutes, all on the bike time.
Ann advised me through the winter of 2008/09 which lead to a successful 2009 season of triathlon and Velo Club racing. I am now looking ahead to a breakthrough season in 2010 and completion of my first full ironman triathlon with a super fast 112 mile bike leg.
Ann's strong points are that she knows how to prepare you for your best performances at key points of your racing season. She understands how to fit training around normal life and approaches the training sessions with a strong and intelligent technical background. Ann is not a great believer in junk miles and every session has a purpose, which means that some are quite hard! If you are a Triathlete wanting to post some of the fastest bike times in the race, you need to get some sensible advice and I would recommend Ann to help you out."
RS
"Last October i bought myself a road bike thinking i would attempt the novice triathlon in April this year. That didn't happen as i had a muscular injury which stopped me from running but instead, after consuming to many glasses of wine at a friends house, i was puasuaded to join her and three other middle aged women to take part in the Etape Caledonia in Pitlochry, Scotland. A closed road, 81 mile cyclo-sportive with a climb of 1900metres! The word "training" hadn't entered my mind and it wasn't until after Christmas that panic started to set in (the race was on 16th May). By luck, i came across Ann's advert in the local Press and the rest is history.
Ann got me on a sensible training programme, taking into account my already busy home and work schedule. A husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, hens , work and studying for a degree. I needed to believe i had the time to fit the training in, enjoy the training and enjoy the Etape. I was amazed with how quickly i improved and i think my friends were too! Ann was incredibly encouraging, was always in contact and very supportive and always honest! She witnessed my improvement by coming out with me on a few rides and also was able to send me in the right direction for bike advice, maintenance etc. Ann was also extremely helpful and made me very aware about how important drink and food were in the training and on the actual day.
I was able to go to Scotland prepared and ready for action. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and owe huge thanks to Ann for her patience, understanding and time she gave to me. I had the most amazing time in an absolutely stunning part of the country. I would thoroughly recommend the experience and using Ann as a personal trainer. Though i must remember next time to go to the loo first!"
SI
"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!"
"If you want to get the most out of your cycling, then you need to make the best use of your time. This is especially important if you have to fit your training around a job and other pesky commitments.
Knowing what you need to do each time you get on your bike allows you to just get on with it, knowing that what you're doing is the best way for you to achieve your goals. This peace of mind only comes from trusting that your coach knows what they're doing, and Ann has consistently shown that she does - peaking my form towards target events whilst also allowing me to race the whole season.
During the winter, having faith in your programme is a really good motivator when the weather is against you and if you're doing everything you can, there's no reason not to spend more money on your bikes!!"
JO
"After getting into cycling as a result of not being able to train for badminton, I soon got hooked and wanted to progress further so I contacted Ann.
Ann provided a very structured programme for me each month which was easy to follow and offered a great change of training on the bike, which is something I didn't have before I received any coaching. It also gave me the confidence of knowing that as long as I follow the schedule I am doing everything possible to progress my cycling ability and hopefully win some races.
If I ever had any problems in my training Ann was on the other end of an email or the phone giving me the advice needed. The greatest part of my coaching experience with Ann is that she understood that I also lead another life away from cycling [badminton] and this was also considered in making my schedule each month, this made it easy for me to stick to the schedule and put 100% into each session."
KA
"I can't tell you how pleased I am with AB Cycle Coaching!
Ann has provided me with schedules that fit in superbly with my shift work and young family. She has kept my performance consistent and gave me the best season in cycling I have ever had.
I find Ann's extremely positive outlook, attitude and performances an inspiration. I am very excited about my future with AB Cycle Coaching."
JB
"Ann has been my coach for several years, and I have always felt that my coaching is tuned individually just for me. She strikes the right balance between pushing me when I need to be pushed, and backing off when I need to be left. She takes a holistic approach to training – not just the hours spent riding but nutrition, mental approach and wellbeing. Because of these things I consider that she deserves more of the credit for my successes than I do."
NM
"I have been coached by Ann for the past two seasons and have been very satisfied with both the training and the success I have achieved as a result of that training – to quote a phrase I’ve read somewhere “medals are won in the Winter, they’re only picked up in the Summer!"
I have found the training varied and thorough, working on all aspects needed to be a competitive rider. Ann has a great ability to peak my training for target events so I can get the best possible result. This was more than proved in my performance at the National 25m TT in the years 2005/6. In 2005 I managed a pretty poor 109th (this was the spur I needed to consider getting a coach), whereas the following year I achieved a respectable 58th.
There is flexibility too – my social life is also important to me and it is taken into consideration when training schedules are planned.
Employing the services of a coach is a commitment both financially and from a time point of view, but if you are serious about your cycling and are prepared to work to achieve your goals, for the price of a decent set of wheels you’ll be going faster, harder and for longer than any piece of equipment would make you go.
With Ann you also know that you are dealing with someone who “walks the walk” as well as “talks the talk” – she knows from personal experience what it takes to achieve targets and goals and the amount of commitment needed on both the part of the coach and athlete."
DM
"With the coaching Ann set me, I improved my PB for a 25mTT from 1 hr 18 minutes to 59 minutes in just over a year. Every training ride was a piece of the overall jigsaw which contributed to my improvements.
As my cycling improved so did my own self confidence and belief. Ann's coaching changed my life for the better in ways far beyond cycling."
MB
