home || about shawn || massage therapy || coaching || related links || contact

		Feeling done, really done… Season Ending Blahs, or Post Race Depression, call it what you want, but it’s real, and shouldn’t be ignored. Try not to let the end of the racing season bring you down. Think positive, and do what you can to learn from the past. Remember, the only truly bad mistakes, are the ones that keep repeating themselves. So you’ve finished your season. Hopefully some good results behind you, to help get you through the winter months. If not, maybe you can use the sub par performances to motivate your training while it is cold and blustery outside. So, now what do you do? You’re done. It’s too early to start serious training for next year, so what to do????? Every year we all face these questions. Sometimes it’s a really tough time. Sometimes we’ve been looking forward to it for quite awhile. It doesn’t really change the fact that we now have more time on our hands than we are used to having. So, does that mean clean the garage, watch TV, stay up late or go on a juice fast. I’ve done them all and I still feel like something is missing. Reality is, something is missing. I’m not training like I have been for most of the year. I see this in so many people, in so many different ways. The hardest thing for me as a coach is to explain it to athletes who haven’t experienced it before. I can tell them about it, I can warn them of it, but when it comes….. “it”, is still tough to deal with. What I’m talking about is the season ending blahs. Or post season depression. Don’t get freaked out by hearing that word. It doesn’t mean we all have to go on Prozac for a month or two. Just that we need to find something else productive to occupy our time. If you look around, it doesn’t take much to find something, or someone, who needs a little more attention from you. Make this time count, because there’s a good chance you’ll be back at it again in a couple months. Now is also a good time to let some of those nagging injuries heal. Don’t worry too much. But don’t let them fester and grow. If you’ve been dealing with something for a while, take care of it. Don’t feel like since you aren’t training you don’t need to see your Massage Therapist, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist. If you can start training for the next season with no injuries, that would be golden. Also, now is a good time to put a little extra time into work and family. Step back and look at what you’ve been doing. Remember the satisfaction you get from your workouts. Don’t forget that. Because if you get too comfy on the couch, it can get real tough to peal yourself from it when it comes time to train again. Take some time and write down the good things about the season, and then do the same for the things that didn’t go so well. Learn from your past. Remember, there are no mistakes in life. Just think of them as confirming ways to not do something again. This is very important. Learn from your past. Learn from your training partners past, and everyone else you can. There is always something to be learned. Just never give up. Think about what events you liked, and which ones you didn’t enjoy so much. Decide if you want to give them another try, or if you feel it is time to move on and try something new. Don’t get stuck in the, “have to do this have to do that” trap. Ironman and Marathon training is not all there is to life. Pick a shorter race and see how fast you can be. Maybe plan to try some bike time trials or some more running races. Just try and keep things interesting so you have something to look forward to. Sometimes we get stuck with blinders on, and go through the motions of training and racing for just one really big stressful day. That is so sad….. Have fun with all of the athletic choices you make. Try not to take things too seriously. Remember this is for FUN. Not too many people can make a living being a Pro athlete, unless I was talking about baseball or basketball, which I’m not. I don’t think those guys have season ending blahs, they just buy a new house or car or something really expensive to make them feel better about not making the playoffs. Sorry, sometimes I get bitter. So, back to making a list of things to do. I mentioned plans for next year. What about equipment? Many people take this time to upgrade to the newest of the new, and the best of the best. If your old stuff works, stick with it. If something caused grief, get rid of it. Same goes for a training program, try and figure out what works and what doesn’t. Now is a good time to decide if you need a coach, or if you want to join a club, or even go it alone. It would be best to figure this out while you make plans for next year. And remember, nothing is concrete, go with the flow. If your training suffers abit, then maybe you’ll have to modify your goals. Here is a list of things to go over when planning next season; - past races - past training program - old injuries - time constraints - job requirements - family commitments - short term and long term goals - physical strengths and weaknesses - possible training partners - groups or clubs - destination races - travelling - costs Now here is a list of things to do now to help keep your sanity until you begin training for next season; - Catch up with non-athletic friends - Clean the garage, and other housework, (fun fun fun!) - Extra family time - Sleep in - Do the things you wanted to do all season, but couldn’t because of training - Be proud of your accomplishments - Enjoy yourself - Have a party - Plan your next season There are many other things to do, but the key is, to keep busy. Try and stay away from bad habits, (we all have them). And once you’ve become comfy on the couch, get up and do some push ups or something to remind yourself how fit you are, (just kidding). RELAX……. Shawn Reeder