Race, Record, Reflect!

   Race reports can be one of the biggest tools for young “” and veteran “” endurance athletes 

TriSTEPS : Liz Elliott

   Congratulations on completing your first race. So what now? Start with a race report. 

   Write down everything that happened from the start of the race to the finish. Do it while the race is still fresh in your head. This doesn’t have to be anything you share with other people. You can write it as an email to yourself, or an email to one of your coaches. This will help you learn what went well and what didn’t, and get the memory down in writing so you can move on to your next endeavor.  

   Most of all, remember your race fondly. Especially it it was indeed your first race, or your first time on a particular course. You only get to do it the first time once.  

   Looking back on your race reports the following year or season “” or even after your next race “” can be a lot of fun and allow you to reflect on how far you’ve come. 

   Here are some questions to consider while writing your report: 

      1. How much sleep did you get two nights before your race?  How much sleep did you get the night before?  Was it enough?

      2. What did you eat/drink for breakfast and/or everything before you started swimming? Was it enough?

      3. How much time did you leave yourself from the time you got down to transition (swim-to-bike, bike-to-run) until your wave started? Was it enough?

      4. When you were doing your transitions did you do anything you wish you didn’t? Did you like the way you set up your transition area? Do you think you could have gone quicker?

      5. How much time did you have before the start once your wetsuit was completely on?  Was that enough?

      6. How do you feel about the warm-up in the water? Should you have done anything differently?

      7.  How were the hills on the bike? Did you have any back pain (or other pain)?

      8. Did you run the whole distance? If not, was it because of pain, cramps, nutrition or something else?

      9. Overall, how was your nutrition? How closely did you follow your nutrition plan?  What exactly did you consume (both solid and liquid) and when?

      10. Overall, how do you feel about your performance? 

Check out this article in the digital edition of SportStars Magazine… Race, Record, Reflect!  

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