How to Write a Post-Race Evaluation and Reflection
Last week I rode the Rasputitsa Spring Classic, which is always one of the first cycling races on the calendar in New England and makes a great spring “rust-buster” to kick off the riding season.
This race is special to me. It is the first bike race I ever did and has been the first event on my cycling calendar the last 3 years. I always feel a roller coaster of emotions coming into this event: excitement, self-doubt, hope, uncertainty. Though I’m far from being a serious competitor at events like this, I still take my training seriously (perhaps too seriously at times), and there are certain events I want to bring my “A” game to and know that I did everything I could to have a successful outcome. We only get so many chances in our lives to do things like this, so why wouldn’t you give it your best?
Along with resting my body, I’ve spent the last week or so writing and reflecting on my experience. A post-race evaluation or reflection is something I recommend everyone do after their “A” events or races. Whether you realize it or not, after every performance you create a narrative about that experience and who you are as an athlete. This influences your expectations for the future. Race reports allow you to be deliberate about the story you create, and gives you a chance to learn from your mistakes and what went well so you can become a better athlete.
You can make this as long or as detailed as you want. I recommend waiting at least a couple of days after the event before starting the reflection, but not much more than a week or two. You want to do it relatively soon so you can remember the details, but far enough after so you can gain some perspective.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself in the week or two following your event. These come from Carrie Jackson’s great book On Top of Your Game, which I recommend to anyone who is serious about their training and performance.
How was your training leading up to the event?
What were your goals for this event?
How successful were you in achieving your goals?
What did you do well?
What was the biggest challenge?
Is there anything you would have done differently?
What did you learn that you want to carry forward?
I hope this helps you get started! Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck to everyone with their spring races!