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 season You’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 Workshop The Strength Training Challenge The 30-Day Shakedown All the tools, Q&As, and community support my members use to train smarter and recover stronger It’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 THE FREE ULTIMATE 50K TRAINING TOOLKIT 🛍️ SHOP THE SHE RUNS ULTRAS STORE ➡️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP 📸 FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM 📝 IF I HELPED YOU RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA, FILL OUT THIS FORM