You’ve crossed the end line of your objective race, the mud has settled out of your post-race celebrations, and now it’s time to do some reflecting. Taking time to look again on each your coaching and your race to evaluate what labored effectively and what didn’t is a crucial step if you wish to proceed to enhance. These eight questions will assist get you began.
What can I have fun?
Earlier than you dissect something an excessive amount of, take a minute to have fun what you completed. Even when your race didn’t go in addition to you’d hoped, strive to pick one or two issues that you simply’re happy with.
Perhaps you didn’t hit your objective time, however you’re happy with your self for not giving up when issues weren’t going effectively–and that deserves recognition. Or perhaps you lastly nailed your fuelling technique or managed your pre-race nerves higher than earlier than. No matter your wins have been, write them down and have fun them.
How did your race play out vs. your race plan?
When you executed your race plan completely, nice job! Answering this query shall be simple. If not, ask your self why it didn’t, and whether or not these components have been inside your management. It’s one factor if the climate went sideways on race day, or in the event you tripped and fell midway to the end line. It’s one other factor in the event you look again on it and notice that perhaps your race plan wasn’t reasonable, otherwise you made some early pacing errors that value you your objective time. If it’s the latter, then nice–these issues can simply be fastened for subsequent time.
What did you study throughout your coaching and race?
This query is deliberately broad, and can probably overlap with a few of your different solutions, but it surely’s a good way to get you to start out considering extra analytically about your race buildup. Was there something that stunned you throughout your coaching or on race day? In what methods did actuality differ out of your expectations?
Did you take pleasure in your coaching and race? Why or why not?
It’s actually vital to be trustworthy when answering this one. After all, you probably didn’t take pleasure in each side of coaching, however attempt to establish what you probably did like and what you didn’t. If, for instance, you hated getting up early to run by your self at the hours of darkness, perhaps subsequent time you may be part of a bunch to coach with or enlist a operating buddy to do some early morning runs with you.
What elements have been powerful?
That is particularly vital to consider within the context of your race. Did you battle with an enormous hill in the course of the course? Perhaps it is best to do extra hill work throughout your subsequent coaching cycle. Was your race gas not taking place so effectively? Maybe it is best to experiment with some completely different choices subsequent time round. Did you battle with jet lag throughout your vacation spot race? You would possibly must plan slightly in another way subsequent time you journey for a race.
What did you do effectively?
Though it sounds related, that is completely different than celebrating your wins. Go extra granular right here–you hit your objective time, however why? What did you do throughout your coaching or race that helped you accomplish that? You maintained a extra even tempo all through your entire run, somewhat than slowing down within the center or finish–how come? What did you do in your coaching that improved your endurance?
The place is your largest alternative to develop?
Now could be the time to determine what your principal focus shall be throughout your subsequent coaching cycle. This may very well be something from bettering your consistency to altering up your routine so you could have extra enjoyable together with your coaching.
The place do you wish to be six months to a yr from now?
Envision the runner you wish to be sooner or later, and modify your strategy accordingly.
