July Client of the Month: Ben Wallbank

Ben Wallbank is this months ‘Client of the Month’. Ben always focuses exceptionally well on sticking to his target training zones (often spending 98% or 99% of his training time ‘In Zone’). Ben is in the process of retraining to NZ processes and standards in order to recommence a career that he is very experienced in back in his home country. This is his story.

My Journey with Qwik Kiwi… by Ben Wallbank

I first came across Coach Ray via a friend. Ray coached her briefly a few years ago before her family situation changed.

It was at this time that Qwik Kiwi had announced an ‘all-invited’ webinar where Ray would talk about his passion for coaching and provide accessibility of those who wanted to learn more.

I was quick to register my name, and following which, sat eagerly through the Internet-based discussion forum between Ray and athletes from all over.

Having never ever had a coach I was excited to later have a one-to-one with Ray to discuss my goals. The consultation ran over time with ease; but this was a clear sign to me that with our personalities matching, we would get on fine.

I’ve been with Ray now for a few months with a longer range training outlook, targeting a 70.3 triathlon at the end of the year.

I’ve competed at 70.3, and also a full (iron) distance triathlon in 2015/2016, the difference however is that I self coached.

While for my first 70.3 I had a respectable time of 4:53, my training was unstructured, and I was burnt out by doing my easy sessions too hard and my hard sessions too easy. In essence I was training in a grey zone entirely and not allowing myself to recover and build.

This was very prevalent 10 weeks later when I completed my first iron distance in a rather painful 13 hours, not quite what I was expecting when I looked on paper at just how many hours training I had put in.

But this was the key.  I soon learnt (and I’m still learning) that quality trumps quantity, and that periodising hard versus easy training is so important.

This is truly where Qwik Kiwi comes in. I get weekly sets in Training Peaks, and Ray is always just an email away if I’ve got any concerns to point me in the right direction.

I won’t lie.  Having a coach has changed the way I was training, and this took some adjustment, but I can honestly say that I feel much healthier and have a much more positive feel towards my goal knowing that I’ve got the guidance and support behind me.

– Ben Wallbank

As client of the month Ben received a gift basket delivered to his new workplace yesterday.