The End of Season Review
Ah the end of a hard fought motocross season…time to relax, rejuvenate and review. During your well earned rest period you should also do an end of season review; this allows you to learn what worked and what didn’t work in your chase of this season’s goals. In a prior article on posted on this site we outlined a procedure to define season goals and their corresponding training objectives. You will need this information to clearly define whether or not you achieved your-self imposed season goals and if not, what needs improvement for the upcoming season.
Take your current season goals and write the season goals you accomplished on one side of your paper and write the season goals that you didn’t accomplish on the other. Underneath the accomplished goals, write the training objectives that you did fulfill only if you feel they directly aided you reaching that goal. On the other side of your paper, write down the training objectives that you didn’t accomplish under the season goals that were not met only if you feel they were detrimental to not achieving that goal. In a separate area, write down the training objectives that are left over: objectives that didn’t help you achieve the goals you did meet and objectives that you feel didn’t matter to the goals that you didn’t meet.
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You should now have a clear view of the training objectives that did matter and directly affected the outcome of your season and some that maybe don’t warrant that much attention the next time around. This is a very clear cut and non emotional method to view where you spent your efforts and if they helped with your season goals. The next step is the important step: what are you going to do with this information?
Some of your limiters to this season could change (refer to the season goal setting article). If the training objectives were met and the season goal was accomplished then the limiter may no longer be considered a limiter. The corresponding training objective might be thrown out for the next year as your efforts are better spent attacking the new limiters. Some limiters may still exist: the season goal was not met and the training objective attacking the limiter was not accomplished or it wasn’t directly affecting anything. Then it’s time to buckle down and find the motivation to pursue those training objectives or be smarter with your efforts.
An example of this thought process for one season goal is shown below:
Goal:
A top 5 finish in my class at the regional Loretta’s qualifier on x date.
“Goal was NOT met; got 10th in my class. I know I can do better.”
Personal limiters to this goal:
Aerobic conditioning, cornering technique, dietary habits.
Training objectives NOT accomplished:
Improve aerobic conditioning: complete a 25 mile road bicycle ride in 1 hour and 20 minutes by June 30th, 2008.
“I didn’t have consistent enough aerobic training. I was on for awhile then would skip a few key workouts, then get back with it. I need to be more consistent with my aerobic conditioning to give me a chance to build up this part of my fitness.”
Improve cornering technique: complete one lap on my corner track in 35 seconds by July 15th, 2008.
“Man did I blow this. I need to stay focused on MY program and avoid just doing what everyone else is doing. Corners are where it’s at and I need to stay on this next season. I am upset with myself over not accomplishing this objective; I know it is key.”
Training objectives accomplished/not accomplished but no effect on not reaching goal:
Dietary habits:
Track diet and change to 60% carbohydrate, 25 % protein, 15% fat intake ratios by August 15th, 2008.
“I don’t think this was as big an issue as I thought. I didn’t eat as bad as I thought I did. I don’t think this held me back.”
In conclusion:
“I am going to do my aerobic training early in the day when I don’t have motos to do. This way I can ensure that it gets done and I will have more of a chance in getting consistent with that part of my training. Skipping these workouts was usually due to starting another project around the house or track but I am going to make it a point to do the aerobic training first and early when possible to increase the chances it gets done without distractions. I am going to practice corners every single time I ride. I will do this before I allow myself to start riding with others. I will do my prescribed moto work alone or with my trainer; ONLY then I will have my fun time riding when I am totally done and it’s OK to do so. Practice is practice and the purpose of practice is to improve my riding; it’s not social hour. I don’t have to spend so much mental energy on my eating habits. I eat fairly healthy and as long as I keep doing what I am doing in that area, I will be fine. No need to stress about it anymore. I can spend that mental energy elsewhere: making sure I do what I am supposed to do for training before I run off and do other things. That’s where that energy is going.”
Now you are armed with the knowledge to create your new season goals and the most effective training objectives. Going through these steps provides an emotion free and very objective analysis of your where you need to spend your training efforts. Creating season goals and training objectives is creating a map that will hopefully lead you straight to your destination. If that map comes up short then the smart rider looks at the map and makes adjustments to increase the chances that the season goals will be met the next time around. Be smart and use these tools to help you refine your program so your efforts take you in the direction that you want to go!
Seiji Ishii is the head coach of www.coachseiji.com. Coachseiji.com provides online coaching and personal training services to motorsports athletes. Coach Seiji has worked with both pros and elite amateurs including: Heath Voss, Ryan Clark, Austin Stroupe, PJ Larsen, Hunter Hewitt, Phil Nicoletti, Drew Yenerich and Rusty Potter. Learn more at www.coachseiji.com or contact Coach Seiji directly at seiji@coachseiji.com.
This article was originally published in Vurb Moto.