How to recover from a bad race?

Bad races are hard to accept. You may have logged hundreds of miles, coped with many traumatic track sessions or just felt you were ready to run a fast race! Bad races happen to all of us, getting over them it whats most important.

"I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall" - Serena Williams

1: Let the emotions go

First things first let your emotions show. Cry, winge or shout! You have a right to be annoyed that the race didn't go the way you wanted it too. Let all your anger out! You will feel better afterwards.

2: Analyze

After you have come to terms with the race and feel okay about it you should analyze the race! See if there is any improvements for your next race you can make. Did you go out to fast? Did you not push yourself hard enough? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself to see where you went wrong.

It may even be as subtle as note hydrating enough or not doing the proper training! When you have discovered all the mishaps write them down and make sure to remember them!

3: Set a new goal

Once your key race has been run (successful or unsuccessful) it's time to aim for a new goal race! A goal race in your training helps structure your training and gives it a purpose. You should make a short term race goal and then a longer term one which you may race after a year or so. Use the pain you pain you felt from your last disappointing to race to fuel the training for your next race!!