20k ARE DONE... WHAT'S NEXT?
You might have spent months preparing for this race. You've dedicated early morning runs, pushed through fatigue, doubts, and visualized crossing that finish line with a triumphant smile. And then, suddenly, it's over. The cheers fade, the adrenaline quickly subsides, and you're left standing there, wondering "WHAT NOW"?
It's a common question that many athletes may face after reaching a major milestone. After putting your heart and soul into a goal, it's natural to feel a sense of emptiness or uncertainty once it's been achieved. But here's the thing: the journey doesn't end at the finish line — it simply takes a new direction.
During our "0 to 694" challenge, Ben and I plunged into an intense preparation of 4 months, requiring a lot of investment, research, and application to optimize our performance. During this time frame, the focus was on maintaining maximum quality resistance training while increasing our running volume to very time-consuming distances. There was very little room for discovery and other demands, although the desire was there! And when the 01st of January finally arrived, we were ready. But as we crossed the finish line (or close to), we realized that the journey was far from being over.
SO. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
As always, it depends.
It will depend on the time you now have at your disposal, the length of the preparation, the time invested, the energy, and the curiosity of what you want to focus on next. After achieving a goal, we can often feel a lack of purpose or emptiness. That's okay - it's only the realization on how much time and effort you invested in that goal. The free time you now have will be the perfect opportunity to rethink, reassess, analyze the positive/negative experiences... and setting up a new fitness trajectory.
Depending on many individual factors, your future "fitness project" may vary.
Remember that fitness is a continuum. Our body and identity isn't fixed to only one way of exercising. If you decided to embark on a 20k, it likely means that you enjoy cardiovascular exercices (through running), and to challenge yourself. But cardiovascular training is only one system across the multi-dimensional nature of physical fitness and overall health.
"Being fit" isn't only about running fast or far. It's being able to demonstrates optimal holistic health and physical performance across various domains, including cardiovascular and muscular endurance, muscular strength, mobility & flexibility, body composition, balance, coordination, and on top of that, quality movement patterns.
We encourage you to reflect consciously and to make thoughtful, achievable choices, based on objective information, (not just on a subjective feeling such as the outcome of a good or bad race).
Here are a few questions you could spend time reflecting on:
What does this race reveal about my inner strengths and limitations?
What have you done right/wrong during the prep?
What can you improve for next time?
What could you add/remove in your training in order to make the preparation more optimal?
What have you learn about yourself during this process?
Why do I run, and what deeper purpose does it serve in my life?
The free time you have at your disposal is a great opportunity to recover both physically and mentally by slowing down the pace of your running regimen. You might want to emphasize for the coming months on building more muscle mass/joint support. Maybe returning to a more holistic approach, or even, indulging your curiosity by trying something completely new.
In any case, whatever you decide, take the time to zoom out, gain clarity and to reconnect with your inner desires.
If you already have an idea on your next accomplishment and feel the need for guidance, we'd be more than happy to discuss on how we can support your fitness journey and to create the path you currently need.
Passionately,
Max & Ben
Written by Maxime Dupont
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