case study - floren villanueva-scrafton. from runner to international cyclist
Floren contacted Custom Cycle Coaching in the Autumn of 2023, after a
recommendation from a mutual friend. She was about to finish her PhD
and looking to return to full health after a period of long COVID and
get more serious about her cycling after switching from running and
Duathlon aged 30. Floren came with lofty goals, but was eager to
train hard and put everything into improving physically while also
learning cycling tactics to cope with a varied calendar or racing in
the UK and also in Bolivia.
''I’ve
learned a huge amount from Tom’s tailored training sessions and
pre-race/post-race words of wisdom. As a visual and experiential
learner, I’ve gained a lot from simulating race moves in training,
which has given me the confidence to test myself in different race
scenarios.''
At
first, a cautious approach to training load was needed as Floren was
recovering from Post-viral fatigue, but things soon progressed and
she was able to compete at a high level, taking 2nd
and 4th
places in the Bolivian National Championships, gaining selection to
the Panamerican Championships (where she was 10th in the TT) and
World Championships in Switzerland, finishing 45th
on a borrowed bike).
Things haven't all been plain sailing, but careful planning and hard
work have helped Floren come back to race with an Elite Spanish team
and become double National Champion in 2025.
''Tom’s
coaching plans have nailed several timely comebacks for key races
following significant setbacks. These include the 2024 Bolivian
National Road Championships in the humid climate of Santa Cruz, just
six weeks after a tonsillectomy, and gearing up for an early-season
debut with my new Spanish team after my pre-season training block was
curtailed by a freak road accident in Bolivia.''
Progressing this rapidly isn't easy and the right support can make a
huge difference. Sometimes it's the words of encouragement that make
as much difference as a killer training session.
''Tom also
encouraged me to take up an invitation to stagiaire for a new
Colombian team at the 2024 Vuelta a Colombia, which turned out to be
one of my favourite weeks of my life. His crafty training and racing
plans and belief in my readiness inspired me to contest all six
stages, across mountain-top finishes and bunch sprints. I finished
with three top six results, including one podium, and experienced
being a team leader for the first time.''
At Custom Cycle Coaching, we believe in building long lasting
relationships and really getting to know our clients, and what makes
them tick is the way to get the best performances out. We'll leave
the final words to Floren...
''Lastly,
Tom’s communication and general support as a coach are incredibly
uplifting. I feel genuine excitement whenever the next training block
lands, or when he’s simply checking in to see how things are going.
I’m 100% guaranteed to smile while reading his training plans,
whether from the hype of seeing new sessions or numbers to hit, or
because of his personalisation and situation-specific attention to
detail (including several now-trademarked hashtags, bilingual
Spanish/English notes of motivation, and jokes about how running as a
form of training is never allowed).
What’s been
most important to me is the shared passion, energy and inspiration
for the sport that I’ve felt constantly: the feeling that anything
is possible, and that cycling is the funnest sport of all.''
