Eight post-race reflection questions for every runner

You’ve crossed the finish line of your goal race, the dust has settled from your post-race celebrations, and now it’s time to do some reflecting. Taking time to look back on both your training and your race to assess what worked well and what didn’t is an important step if you want to continue to improve. These eight questions will help get you started.

1.- What can I celebrate?

Before you dissect anything too much, take a minute to celebrate what you accomplished. Even if your race didn’t go as well as you’d hoped, try to pick out one or two things that you’re proud of. 

Maybe you didn’t hit your goal time, but you’re proud of yourself for not giving up when things weren’t going well–and that deserves recognition. Or maybe you finally nailed your fuelling strategy or managed your pre-race nerves better than before. Whatever your wins were, write them down and celebrate them.

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

If you executed your race plan perfectly, great job! Answering this question will be easy. If not, ask yourself why it didn’t, and whether those factors were within your control. It’s one thing if the weather went sideways on race day, or if you tripped and fell halfway to the finish line. It’s another thing if you look back on it and realize that maybe your race plan wasn’t realistic, or you made some early pacing mistakes that cost you your goal time. If it’s the latter, then great–those things can easily be fixed for next time.

3.- What did you learn during your training and race?

This question is intentionally broad, and will likely overlap with some of your other answers, but it’s a great way to get you to start thinking more analytically about your race buildup. Was there anything that surprised you during your training or on race day? In what ways did reality differ from your expectations? 

4.- Did you enjoy your training and race? Why or why not?

It’s really important to be honest when answering this one. Of course, you likely didn’t enjoy every aspect of training, but try to identify what you did like and what you didn’t. If, for example, you hated getting up early to run by yourself in the dark, maybe next time you can join a group to train with or enlist a running buddy to do some early morning runs with you.

5.- What parts were tough?

This is especially important to think about in the context of your race. Did you struggle with a big hill in the middle of the course? Maybe you should do more hill work during your next training cycle. Was your race fuel not going down so well? Perhaps you should experiment with some different options next time around. Did you struggle with jet lag during your destination race? You might need to plan a little differently next time you travel for a race.

6.- What did you do well?

Although it sounds similar, this is different than celebrating your wins. Go more granular here–you hit your goal time, but why? What did you do during your training or race that helped you accomplish that? You maintained a more even pace throughout the entire run, rather than slowing down in the middle or end–how come? What did you do in your training that improved your endurance?

7.- Where is your biggest opportunity to grow?

Now is the time to decide what your main focus will be during your next training cycle. This could be anything from improving your consistency to changing up your routine so you have more fun with your training. 

8.- Where do you want to be six months to a year from now?

Envision the runner you want to be in the future, and adjust your approach accordingly.

posted Saturday October 21st
by Brittany Hambleton