You’ve crossed the end line of your aim 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 properly 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 rejoice?

Earlier than you dissect something an excessive amount of, take a minute to rejoice 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 just’re happy with. 

Possibly you didn’t hit your aim time, however you’re happy with your self for not giving up when issues weren’t going properly–and that deserves recognition. Or possibly you lastly nailed your fuelling technique or managed your pre-race nerves higher than earlier than. No matter your wins had been, write them down and rejoice them.

How did your race play out vs. your race plan?

If you happen to executed your race plan completely, nice job! Answering this query might be straightforward. If not, ask your self why it didn’t, and whether or not these components had been inside your management. It’s one factor if the climate went sideways on race day, or for those who tripped and fell midway to the end line. It’s one other factor for those who look again on it and notice that possibly your race plan wasn’t life like, otherwise you made some early pacing errors that price you your aim time. If it’s the latter, then nice–these issues can simply be fastened for subsequent time.

What did you be taught throughout your coaching and race?

This query is deliberately broad, and can seemingly overlap with a few of your different solutions, however it’s a good way to get you to start out considering extra analytically about your race buildup. Was there something that shocked you throughout your coaching or on race day? In what methods did actuality differ out of your expectations? 

Did you get pleasure from your coaching and race? Why or why not?

It’s actually vital to be trustworthy when answering this one. In fact, you seemingly didn’t get pleasure from each facet 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, possibly subsequent time you’ll be able to be part of a bunch to coach with or enlist a working buddy to do some early morning runs with you.

What components had been powerful?

That is particularly vital to consider within the context of your race. Did you battle with an enormous hill in the midst of the course? Possibly you need to do extra hill work throughout your subsequent coaching cycle. Was your race gas not taking place so properly? Maybe you need to experiment with some completely different choices subsequent time round. Did you battle with jet lag throughout your vacation spot race? You may have to plan a bit in a different way subsequent time you journey for a race.

What did you do properly?

Though it sounds comparable, that is completely different than celebrating your wins. Go extra granular right here–you hit your aim 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 all the run, moderately 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 greatest alternative to develop?

Now’s the time to resolve what your predominant focus might be throughout your subsequent coaching cycle. This could possibly be something from bettering your consistency to altering up your routine so you’ve gotten extra enjoyable together with your coaching. 

The place do you wish to be six months to a 12 months from now?

Envision the runner you wish to be sooner or later, and modify your method accordingly.