Congratulations – your big race is done!
After the celebration, race photos and laundry…it’s common to feel a little lost, especially if you don’t have another race on your schedule. You’ve put all your focus on the big goal, and your body (and coach) want you to take a little recovery time off. It’s natural to feel a bit of the blues creeping in. So, what’s next?
Here are some things to consider:
- If you have another race on your schedule, be sure to take enough recovery time so your body will be able to leverage your fitness rather than breaking down by starting back too soon. Your coach can help you determine when its right to get back to training.
- You might choose to use your fitness base to take on another race, whether that’s a shorter distance triathlon, a half marathon or marathon, a cycling race event, or switching to trail running. They are all good choices, if you recognize that you have been training specifically for one event, so may not be as prepared as you think to go after a personal best in another event. Your coach can help you sharpen the fitness you have.
- Reflecting on your performance in your goal race after you’ve recovered is a good practice to help you determine your next steps. If you felt you could have done better in any/all disciplines, that’s the area to focus on for your next training block. Your coach can help you figure out how to re-balance your training to build on those disciplines.
- If you did well in your goal race you might feel encouraged to take it up a notch and go after a higher placing or qualification in your next race. You might have an idea of where you need to improve and aren’t sure how to start, or just know that you want to do better overall. A coach can help zero in on where you can make the most gains.
- If you were disappointed with your race, you might feel disheartened or lacking in confidence about your ability to improve. Working with a coach can help with more than just your skills and fitness – they can also help with things like discipline, courage and getting past fears that might be holding you back.
Some athletes simply need a break from the lifestyle of training for triathlon and prefer to do something different for a while. Not only does that give your body and brain a chance to refresh – it may give you time to discover a new challenge and focus. When you are ready to get back at it, your enthusiasm and dedication will return. And we’ll be here to help you on your next journey.
As the official coaching sponsor for Subaru Ironman Muskoka 70.3, CL Performance Training has had the opportunity to meet so many fantastic athletes, cheer them on, and help them reach their goals. We work with athletes who are new to the sport, looking to improve their performance, or hold on to their ability to participate when life presents them with challenges. Feel free to contact us to find how we might help you.
www.clperformancetraining.com clperformancetraining@gmail.com
416-433-9793 Cindy Lewis-Caballero
