The Season After the Season: How to Plan After a Breakthrough Race, with Sara Manderscheid

Jun 12, 2025

Join Jason Fitzgerald, a seasoned running coach and founder of Strength Running, as he discusses post-breakthrough race strategies with coach Sara Manderscheid. They explore the importance of recovery, emphasizing its role beyond physical rest. The duo dives into analyzing recent races to identify successes and areas for improvement. Listeners learn about setting new goals, smart base rebuilding, and strategies to maintain motivation while preventing burnout. Discover how to effectively plan for your next training cycle and keep the passion for running alive!

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ANECDOTE

Quick Signup Backfired After Boston

Sara Manderscheid shared signing up for another marathon 48 hours after a disappointing Boston and starting to run three days later.
She then felt flat in the following training cycle and couldn't hit previous volumes or paces.

INSIGHT

Split Long Plans Into Distinct Seasons

Break long stretches toward a single goal into distinct seasons to avoid burnout.
Treat the 'season after' as the 'season before' the next goal to vary training stimulus.

ADVICE

Make The In-Between Season Different

Use the in-between period to train markedly different qualities, like speed or trail skills.
Target fast races (5k/mile) or trail-specific work to build adaptations you won't get in marathon training.

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A breakthrough race is intoxicating. Running a big Personal Best is a clear sign that you're training well, thriving, and on the right track.

But what happens next?

What happens after you run a big PR and your season comes to an end? How do you keep the momentum going, while still respecting recovery and your need for down-time?

This episode is a repost of a conversation on the Elevate Your Running podcast with coach Sara Manderscheid. We talk about:

Recovery is a real phase of training. Learn how long to rest and why it's more than physical.
Race analysis and reflection: Discover how to learn from your recent race, identifying both successes and areas for improvement.
New Goals or No?: Explore diverse approaches to planning your next training cycle.
Smart base rebuilding: Find effective strategies for a gradual and consistent return to training.
Preventing burnout and staying motivated: Keep your passion for running strong, even during the off-season.

More resources:

Thanks Boulderthon!

Boulderthon is a top 10 race in America according to USA Today and one of the best fall marathons according to Runner's World. With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon, Boulderthon offers an amazing fall destination race weekend right at the foothills of the Rockies. Use code STRENGTH20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon.

Join me in Boulder, one of the top running destinations in the country, on September 28th, to experience the tight knit running community here, race on the epic streets of Boulder, and finish on historic Pearl Street. While I live in Denver, I travel to Boulder probably once a week to run. It's arguably one of the best running locations in the United States.

There'll probably be cool and crisp fall weather for racing fast, too. And don't worry, Boulderthon is a BQ-eligible, USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event.

Boulderthon is on track to sell out again this year so don't miss out. Use code STRENGTH20 to save $20 on the marathon or half-marathon here and I hope to see you in Boulder this fall.

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Thank you 2Before for supporting Strength Running!