Ep. 297 - Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid To Lose Some Fitness (And How To Recover After Racing)

As we wrap up another big year of racing, a lot of runners are asking the same question:👉 “What do I do now that I’m done racing for the year?”👉 “How do I keep my fitness without losing everything I worked so hard for?”👉 “What if I take time off and can’t get it back?”If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.Today, we’re talking about why it’s not only okay to let some fitness go — it’s actually a smart move.Because here’s the truth: that peak fitness level you hit for your race? It might not be sustainable year-round. And trying to hold onto it forever can lead to burnout, overuse injuries, plateaus, and frustration.In this episode, we’ll cover:🏃‍♀️ What really determines how long recovery takes after a race🔍 The key factors that affect your bounce-back time (effort level, pre-race fitness, illness, injury, and recovery habits)😴 Why sleeping, eating, and actually resting matter more than squeezing in “maintenance” runs💪 The hidden benefits of becoming temporarily deconditioned🧠 How letting go of fitness now sets you up to build back stronger next seasonYou’ll also hear how I’m guiding my She Runs Ultras members through this very same process — with structured downtime, smart planning for 2026, and a focus on recovery, reflection, and rebuilding with intention.And… because I know this time of year can feel weird (you’re not training for anything, but you’re not “done” either), I’m doing something special:💥 The She Runs Ultras ALL ACCESS PASS - Click here to join 👈🏻For just $99, you’ll get 60 days of full access to everything inside the membership — coaching, community, and all our signature programs — so you can finish 2025 strong and start 2026 smarter.You’ll get:The 2026 Planning WorkshopThe Strength Training ChallengeThe 30-Day ShakedownAll the tools, Q&As, and community support my members use to train smarter and recover strongerIt’s not a teaser. It’s the real deal — everything, for 60 days.So if you’ve been on the fence about joining, this is your chance to see what’s possible when you don’t go it alone.🎧 Hit play to hear why rest is the most underrated part of running — and how letting go of fitness might just be your secret weapon for coming back stronger next year.🏃🏻‍♀️GET MY FREE 8-WEEK BASE BUILDING TRAINING PLAN🔥 APPLY FOR MY GROUP COACHING PROGRAM📈 BOOK A TRAINING PLAN TRIAGE➡️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP📸  FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM