Ep 100: The August Running Reset - Recover, Reconnect, and Get Ready for What’s Next, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon

What if August didn’t have to be the month when you suddenly “get serious” about your fall running? Instead, what if you used this in-between season to recover, reconnect with running, and get clear on what you actually want from your next training cycle? In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m bringing an older episode back from the archives because the message feels especially relevant right now. After a big race or training cycle, it’s completely normal to feel a little lost when the goal is behind you. You may feel unmotivated, directionless, or even tempted to immediately sign up for another race just to have something on the calendar. I experienced this myself after my first marathon, but the space between training cycles can be incredibly valuable. In this episode, I share five ways to make the most of your running off-season, plus two bonus ideas to help you use this time for reflection, exploration, and reconnecting with the joy of running. In this episode, we talk about: Why you might feel a little lost after completing a big race How to embrace joyful, low-pressure running during your off-season Using a local 5k as a fun, family-friendly running experience When a shorter race can be a useful fitness check-in before a fall training cycle How to incorporate a destination race into your summer travel plans Why the off-season is the perfect time to focus on strength, mobility, flexibility, and sleep What it means to practice “mindful maintenance mode” with your running Running by feel and using a level-of-effort scale instead of relying entirely on your watch Exploring new routes and reconnecting with why you started running Creative running goals to keep things interesting Three questions to help you reflect on your last training cycle and think about what you want to experience next Your August Running Reset If you’re in an in-between season right now, take a little time to ask yourself: What went well in my last training cycle? What did I learn? What do I want to experience next? You may not have an answer to that last question yet. That’s okay. You don’t have to immediately replace one goal with another. Give yourself some space and see what emerges. And if you’re a woman physician trying to balance running with a demanding career, family, and everything else on your plate, remember that you don’t have to make every season of running about doing more. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your running is to recover, slow down, and reconnect with what you actually want. Ready for your next training cycle? If you’re thinking about a fall race and want support building a training plan that works with your life and not against it, I’d love to help. I offer personalized run coaching for women physicians who want to train thoughtfully, sustainably, and with a little more intention. Learn more about coaching at https://www.mindful-marathon.com  Keep up with Coach Michelle's adventures over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Marathon *** The information contained in this podcast is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should consult your primary care physician before undertaking any fitness regimen or exercise, which can pose serious health risks if undertaken or performed improperly. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in the videos is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. ***