Now
What?
Danielle Cane, M.S., MFT, Sport
Psychology Consultant
Nothing
is quite as exciting as training for a triathlon, especially
if it is your first one. You experience yourself becoming
more fit and more toned each day. You are losing fat and
building muscle. You are swimming, biking, and running
further and faster than you ever imagined you could. You've
met a whole new group of enthusiastic, athletic friends.
You have an energetic and
supportive coach. You are having the time of your life!
Race
day comes, and you are both excited and nervous. You've
spent a long time building up to this moment, and now
it is here. As you go through the race, you are feeling
strong, powerful, and well trained. You have a great race,
and are feeling invincible. You are high for the next
few days, proud of your accomplishment. Your friends and
family are proud of you too.
Suddenly
it hits you—the race is over—now what? You
may start to feel low, lethargic, listless. Life may feel
as if it has gone from being in color to being in black
and white. You may feel a void, lonely, isolated. You
may miss your workouts and your training buddies. Nothing
seems fun or
exciting. You may have trouble eating or sleeping. Life
may seem empty. It is normal to have a let down, or post
race depression, after a big event.
If
this happens, what can you do about it? Just knowing what
it is and anticipating it can help. It is important to
have something else planned for after the race—possibly
another race, event, or different type of goal. Reconnecting
with friends, family, work, or projects that were put
aside during training can help. Staying connected with
your new triathlon friends after the race is also beneficial.
Better yet, why not make triathlon a lifestyle, an ongoing
endeavor, not just an isolated event!
While
some letdown or post race depression is normal, if the
feeling persists, it might be advisable to contact a professional.
To
reach Danielle Cane, M.F., MFT
Her Office is located in Kentfield, CA
(415) 458-6885 oasis119@comcast.net
