feeling down after a big race...

[rocknrollgirl]

I wanted to pull this thought out of one of the other threads that I was just reading. Yoda made a comment about feeling a bit down after a big race, or at the end of the season. I remember reading passing comments from other posters in regard to the same thing.

I thought it was important enough to start a discussion about the issue. I experienced this same thing at the end of my season last year, and I was completey unprepared for it. After being so focused for so long on one goal, I felt lost and confused when I had reached the goal. Although I was very tired of training and glad to be done, I did not know what to do with myself.

I know it sounds silly, I spent all of this time saying...after the race is over, I am going to do X, Y and Z, but I found that X, Y and Z did not fill the void. My lack of preparedness in this situation lead to me getting injured

We discuss our training and our recovery, and we plan, plan, plan, but it does not seem that anybody ever prepares for this, partly because nobody talks about it.

This year, although my season has not been focused on one big race, I am anticipating experiencing some form "discomfort" at the end. So my DH and I are already planning a smooth transition into a healthy and productive off season.

We are planning a camping weekend and a local kayak trip. We are going to start doing some hiking right away. Maybe a weeknd for foliage and wine. Although I will be out of the loop with my biking friends, I am ready this time to do what is right for me and my body.

I also plan to spend some time in the off season hitting the gym and really doing the rehab that needs to get done for my knee.

So ladies, newbies, and anybody else chasing goals, are you ready for a healthy end to your season or post race period?

[Veronica]

I'm planning a tri a month through at least Oct. I just signed up for September's. This next one is a Sprint distance. I haven't picked October's yet. Mostly, it's to keep focused on training and to have a stress outlet for when I go back to work.

Plus I'm working towards a RUSA R-12 award, so I'm cycling a 200 K a month. I'll be doing that through Feb. when it will be time to really crack the whip to get ready for "The World's Hardest Tri."

V.

[han-grrl]

I totally understand that feeling

the "now what" stage.

I did my solo 24 race
I raced Master Expert in the provincial cups

I wanted to work my way to elite, but i want to have a life too

so i'm not sure what racing i want to do..

I've joined a five person mixed team for the next 24 race...I really want to be around people again. A lot of my training left me riding alone. and LONG.

I am hoping to find a team to race regularly with, who are competitive in a fun way...

[Kimmyt]

I get this ALL THE TIME. And the weird thing is, I'm beginning to think that if I don't catch it early, it is bad even when I have goals still to meet.

Example. The only Tri I had scheduled was in June. I started getting the lowdowns after I completed it, so decided to schedule another tri for August. Except then I lost all motivation to do anything, and am currently feeling, well not depressed, but not in top shape. So I'm doing the August tri this weekend on a really crappy amount of training, and I'm just not caring. I think maybe I need to schedule my tri's all at once and have them in a progressive build so that the most important one is last of all, because there's something about completing an event that just has me wanting to change gears (get ready for my winter/fall sports, etc) and not mess with it anymore for the year.

After this I've told myself I may or may not do the originally planned half-marathon, depending on how I feel. Or maybe I'll just climb a whole lot and do the half marathon next year. *shrug*

[Wahine]

RNR - brilliant idea starting this thread.

I think the important part here is recognizing when this feeling is going to hit. If you keep having goals and being able to work towards them, maybe you'll be fine but realistically, our bodies will put up with so much and everyone needs an "off season". My off season comes in Sept and runs all the way to Dec and I definitely plan for it. It works out much better if I have things set up before hand to help me through and allow me to escape the temptation to just keep pushing. So this year I'm going to windsurf, I have a trip planned to Hawaii and I'm planning on doing a lot of food prep and freezing during the fall harvest season. It's also a great time to host dinner parties and reconnect with friends.

[Tuckervill]

As you all know by now, I don't race at all. But I feel your pain!

I have several large projects and trips that I complete every year. By the end of the biggest project, I'm enmeshed in a deadly love/hate relationship with it, and I'm so worn out! One year an ovarian cyst burst in my abdomen at the exact moment that I handed out the last trophy of a tournament, which signaled the very end of my youth baseball season! Then the next week I spend it all depressed and unable to get out of bed. Same thing with big trips--I'll be gone the whole month of September (as usual) and in October I'll be a basket case.

It's a loss of focus, as well as the anti-climax that happens after any goal is reached. There's a vacuum in my life, with nothing to fill it. I'd say it is pretty normal. I need that rest time, too, to get ready for the new season or the next trip. Then the preparation starts all over again.

I guess if you never stop training (working towards the goal), you might never experience that letdown? I always NEED the rest, though.

Karen

[gnat23]

This is a very interesting post, thanks for bringing it up!

I was intrigued when I first flipped through Charmichael's book on Fitness Nutrition, and it brought up the whole concept of periodizing training throughout the year, which was new to me.

Here are some of the notes I took:

Foundation or Base
Coming out of winter, on the trainer, etc. Foundation strength, places a little more stress on the muscles to prepare the body for the heavier weights and greater forces to come in the next two periods.

Preparation or Pre-Competition
Using drills to increase strength and power, then speed using those strength gains. Increasing mileage and altitude.

Specialization or Competition
Strength Maintenance, with appropriate recovery. Peak time! This is where the big race or ride goes.

...And then, of course:

Transition or Off-Season: Aerobic
Recovery, light weights, faster cadence. Usually on the trainer.

After the big peak race with nothing else nearby on the horizon, maybe it's worth not pushing yourself too much. Take a week off, have some beers, relax, acknowledge your accomplishments (admittedly, I have the most trouble with this part). Looks like this is as much mental as physical.

When you're ready, start the cycle again, pick the thing you want to work for next year, and using the gains you've made, start light and build up that aerobic base so you can be even better next time.

-- gnat!

[tjf9]

I've experienced this too - both the "let down" after a big race, and the "I don't want to train any more" of what, for me was probably over training and not taking a sufficient break.

I've only been competing for about a year and a half, so I'm still figuring out what a good rhythm is. I try to have at least one race (tri or running) a month, just so I don't let my fitness go completely. Racing is what motivates me to work out at all, so I always need that little carrot out there. But in the winter, those races are "C" races - just get out the door and have some fun.

After every "A" race, I try to take a week or two off. I may still do some working out during that time, but no watch, no HR monitor. During my off time I try to reconnect with the fun part of sport - enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, and how refreshing an easy, untimed run can be. I'm usually ready to start working toward that next big goal again after that.

[NbyNW]

I've been feeling winter coming on, and thought it might be a good time to revive this thread.

I've completely lost focus since doing my first tri in September. I know that I would like to do more next year and would like to improve on my swimming, but I feel like other aspects of life are crowding out my fitness goals -- mostly work, and a general propensity to obsess about the economy and the upcoming election, two things which I can do very little about.

I really need to figure out how I can motivate myself to get up early for an early morning swim workout. It may be as simple as writing it in my schedule and sticking to it, but it's kind of challenging without a specific goal in sight. Maybe I need to get more specific . . .

How are you all handling the change of seasons? What do you do to stay motivated in moving towards next year's goals? I can accept that my energy levels won't be as high, but I would love to hear some ideas about how you all make it through the winter. I grew up with winter, but in the Pacific Northwest it's particularly difficult. Would love to hear any tips/ideas anyone has to share!

[rocknrollgirl]

Well, my season just ended today. Yippee!!!!! I am very tired and I am gonna be sore, but I am happy to be done.

I am taking this week off. Next weekend I am going on a social ride and out to lunch with two of my friends. After that I am planning on doing some hiking, and hitting the gym.

I just finished a second round of PT for my knee and I need to keep my weight training at the top of my list of prioroties.

We are going to do a 5k Turkey trot too, just to have something fun of the schedule.

Also two of my friends on my race team and I have made a list of our mt bike weaknesses, and we plan on working on those in the off season. It is very difficult to work skills when you are on a group training ride. So we have asked a couple of the really good riders on our team to meet up with us in Nov and Dec to work on some technical skills. No mileage, just rocks, rocks and more rocks.

So let the off season begin!!!! First hike is in 2 weeks!!!!

[HillSlugger]

I ended last season with problematic knees and unfulfilled goals. I had very definite off season plans for PT and really learning to swim so I really didn't have down time. This year, I'm done as of last week and I'm a bit lost. I definitely feel the need to cut back and scale back for a while. I'm thinking that I'll add some yoga or pilates in for the winter. Other than that, I'm not sure what to do to stay motivated.

[beccaB]

I don't race, but DH and I did 2 centuries and one metric. After the last century 2 weeks ago, I felt a major sense of letdown, if not depression. I was in a bad funk for about a week. It really surprised me, and I felt like I should kick myself in the pants and get over it. Early in the season the husband wanted us to consider doing centuries, and I was convinced I could MAYBE do 50 miles. After going on a few longish rides and actually feeling really good, and with a friend convincing me we could do it, we DID do it. I think maybe the let down for me comes from the fact that I used to be a fairly competitive runner and there were always spectators at those events cheering for the finishers. I don't see very much of that at the organized centuries, and in my mind I know my road miles are going to become less as darkness and winter kick in. Also, along my bus route are road markings from one of the events, which is a daily reminder. I should probably be really amazed that we accomplished WAY more than I ever thought we could.

[Iris616]

Jocelyn-I'm in the same place as you. I've had a hard time being motivated since the end of September, when I was scheduled for my first tri. The loss of daylight is especially hard for me because I like to work out in the morning but have to be done by 6:30.

I think the shift in my household with the start of school (DH teaches, little one in Kindergarten, oldest away at college) causes a transitional period that makes finding time to exercise much more challenging.

I don't have a solid idea of how to get through this winter, so input from others has been helpful. I did commit to a workout challenge on this blog:
http://momonbikemob.blogspot.com/
Which is organized by another TE'er. And I'm hoping it helps.

[Velobambina]

I decided to cut back on my outdoor riding mileage for the winter, probably a necessity anyway due to the weather. Not easy for me mentally, since riding outside is my quiet, commune w/nature time. I'm stuck in a windowless, soundproofed, dark tomb of an office all day, so I value my time outdoors.

DH moved the rowing machine into the sunroom where I have my trainer set up. I plan to do more cross training during the off-season - row in addition to riding outdoors or when weather requires, on the trainer.