Recovering From A 465km Triathlon

[@ferguscrawley95]

Hey everyone! Thanks for watching - please share your thoughts on recovery/post event blues in the comments below ⬇️ ALSO - please use FERGUS20 for Days Brewing, code in video isn’t working for some reason 🤷‍♂️

[@Succurso]

Code worked for me mate. Just ordered a 24 pack off them and got 20% off with Modernmind20. Cheers!

[@seant6731]

What wrist wraps do you use?

[@kylecrosswhite2409]

This is just what I needed! Completed a marathon last week. Never really been good at the whole recovery thing which has come back to bite me. Thanks for the great content!

[@ironlawyer8706]

This will sound very dramatic, although I feel like this video has saved me from spiralling! I did a 100 mile ultramarathon in Mid-July - absolutely smashed my goals and was so proud of my achievements. I booked in a week holiday with the family after the event and thought I was doing everything right. As a fellow meathead (former bodybuilder), I decided to get some size and strength back so I got to work in the gym. Over the past 2 months, I’ve put back on just under 2 stone and my lifts are flying up. I’ve also been able to maintain a decent level and volume of running. So, you might be thinking - that sounds great, what’s the problem. Well, the problem is my brain. I’m stuck in between a complete cognitive dissonance. When I’m hitting the gym, I feel good - but outside of it, I feel guilty that I’m not progressing so much in my running. This then leads me to questioning my entire goals - and I am literally spending every moment thinking about what I should be doing. In short, I’ve realised that I’ve got post event blues and without a goal I’m feeling lost. I’ve been putting so much pressure on myself for my diet to be perfect and for my training to replicate the high volume I went through with my ultra prep. when I’ve not been able to achieve complete compliance I’ve been feeling guilty. This video has made me realise that that’s where I’m going wrong. I said during my ultra prep that I wanted to transition into hybrid training - and that’s what I’ve just done. Your strength and marathon programme has just been bought! Thank you Fergus Crawley!!! You may have just saved a 33 year old man from getting sucked into an anxiety spiral! ❤

[@newbluerugby]

DUDE. Like many, I started the video and went right to the comments. You just helped me. I used to dedicate my life to lifting. In Iraq the the joke was if I died you better name the gym after me! Lol, anyway, I transitioned into running after the service, something I always wanted to do, but also always hated. I eventually fell in love with running and then cycling. I became fixated on becoming an Ironman. I spent 4 years losing weight (a lot of weight), learning to open water swim, buying a bike and learning to road cycle, doing marathons, buying all the gear, reading all the things, watching all the videos, etc. doing everything. You could say I went into idiot savant mode. Anyway, I became an Ironman three weeks ago in Maryland. I felt amazing after after my first small triathlon, after my first marathon, after my first half IRONMAN. But after I finally completed the goal and became an Ironman (some thing I had fixated on & sacrificed so much for four years) I FELT LIKE SHIT. I wasn’t even that happy with myself. It felt like my dream was gone. That’s when I realized it’s all about the journey not the destination, as cliché as that sounds. I couldn’t get outa bed. I was depressed. I just realized I needed a new goal last week. I haven’t found what that is yet but damn what you just said cut right through me. We’re not alone. Be well!

[@CJ-sh6sc]

You could say you've been through a traumatic experience and like with any trauma it takes time to digest and understand what just happened. Learn and keep killing it💪.

[@liamcarr6320]

Hi Fergus, recently subscribed after your Double Brutal tri vid - very inspirational stuff. On the same weekend I completed my first long distance triathlon. With regards to avoiding the post-race blues and recovery in general, I found during my event itself (particularly on the run), I was making mental notes of what I was going to do post-race in order to physically and mentally rebuild. - Enjoy and embrace sleep - going to bed at a decent hour maximising recovery (particularly after the early start of the event itself!) - Eat whenever (and within reason) whatever I can - after burning thousands of calories during the event, the extra cake or chocolate is well earnt and will likely do more good than harm! - Enjoying exercise - gentle runs on new routes, perhaps throwing in a few sprints to mix it up and get out of that zone 2 for a short while. 4-hour+ Ultimately, remaining present, listening to the body and temporarily forgetting about distance, time and speed. - Eyeing up my next event - I found it a worthwhile move to set up another event for the near future, regardless of the scale - whether a 5k, 10k or even a parkrun and eventually, once the fatigue had begun to subside, the next big goal in the coming years. This way for me, there is a short term, achievable goal in sight to keep the process going with a life achievement or event on the horizon but, in the distant future, so the overwhelming idea of training is still a little way away yet! I have a marathon event planned next weekend and hoping to undertake the Brutal long-distance tri in the next few years, whether or not I can stomach the idea of the double is perhaps a little too soon to tell! Thanks for the great content, look forward to seeing what you have planned next!

[@nickbakernzl]

I got recommended your double Ironman video yesterday, and have to say it’s incredibly well made! Been binging a bunch of your other stuff, love the videos and it’s super inspiring and really makes me want to get out and moving even more!

[@Khristofu]

Completed IM Weymouth 70.3 couple weeks ago, now lost for what to do in the morning and evenings. This video was one of your most relatable, most informative I've watched (watched most of them now). Thank you!

[@colinhundt4088]

I coincidentally, did an ultra type event the same day you did (albeit not quite as extreme). Well, the same day you started your event. Anyways, I'm a strength and conditioning coach and I also consider myself a bit of a hybrid athlete as well for context. As far as your take on recovery goes, it's what I wish every widely known athlete would understand and preach. Everyone's always talking about the ice baths, saunas, cupping, etc. There's not much data supporting much of these "recovery" modalities, and if there is, the evidence that does support such modalities are very specific about when/where they should be applied. I always preach the basics over everything, and if I feel they've got that covered, I will discuss breathing and mindfulness techniques next. Then depending on the person, I will mention other modalities if we feel they may need additional assistance. Anyway, Great job Fergus!! This triathlon is among the most impressive feats of endurance I've heard of.

[@patrickgreene3079]

I totally agree with when you said you disagree with david goggin's no rest mindset. I did a 50 miler back in may and it took me a solid two weeks of proper rest, eating a lot of food, not being strict with my diet or lifestyle and spending more time doing the things I enjoy to wind down before I started feeling back to normal physcially and mentally. Ultra endurance events are no joke and people need to get proper rest before they jump back into training.

[@phillycett7113]

Like the philosophy of chill for a bit and enjoy your success,bounced off an event straight into the busiest and demanding period at work but eased with the training spent time with family and dealt with the non negotiables. Enjoyed the de brief podcast

[@michelleharnett1351]

Great, practical, real and sensible advice here. Love it. The work part was especially interesting. It's also really useful advice for coming back from illness - I've just had (mild) Covid and I'm essentially doing the things you're talking about here.

[@adamfergie87]

The hardest thing I've had to learn is not every day can be a great training day. Personal bests aren't going to happen every week and some days will be slower/ weaker than others. If you feel very tired it's OK to not train that day and skip the odd workout without beating yourself up over it. This is far more compounded after race day and during the recovery phase. I always thought I should be straight back at it and knocking my times down ready for the next race. Your body just can't work like that and I've had the injuries to prove it.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

The big question is always how much exhaustion (or mild pain) is safe to ignore. If you’d only train when you feel absolutely great, healthy and motivated you’d maybe do 10 sessions per year.

[@craiglewis2734]

In a post competition phase at the moment and have been so strict on diet all year and seeing I’m not the only one that eats like a toddler sometimes was very helpful. Love the focus on the basics and keeping some of your easy achievable habits, daily walks etc.

[@mikew6840]

Just accepting that post-event blues is a “thing” is helpful.

[@Avenger99]

lovely video, it is much appreciated. I'm used to training 20-30hrs a week but have been dealing with rehab from overuse injuries. Following the mindset you describe here and discussed during therapy has been a vital part of staying mentally stable throughout the process.Respecting the body's limitations after you push it near breaking point is essential to avoid long-term regression. Cheers

[@katiehands8464]

Love the subject of this video. I came back from Masters European Swimming Championships in early September feeling completely lost after a good 2.5 years training for it (covid cancellations dragging out the prep process). Hit me mentally more than I expected. I've learnt over the past few weeks that you can't jump straight back in! Like you said, been doing what I want when I feel like it and everyone has their own process!

[@anna-louisepowell3489]

As someone that coaches ‘functional fitness’ or CrossFit if you like but also competes in triathlon, I wish more people focussed on the basics 🤩

[@bikesandlaces]

Fab video, love the whoop band it's been such a game changer for my sleep and training! Thank for sharing your thoughts!

[@robbeberten3858]

love these vids !

[@IvyPerez_DreamBuilder]

Very helpful thank you Fergus🙏🏼

[@Succurso]

Enjoyed this video. Felt like a very common sense touchstone. As you mentioned in the video there is a lot of "next best thing" methods out there that ultimately don't deliver because its about listening to yourself and how you are feeling and being honest that, these events take a toll. Really enjoying the content. Keep it up.

[@lachlanh1153]

This vid was exactly what I needed to hear. Just did London marathon yesterday. Was a big 14 week block and within the last 6 weeks I went full monk mode. Needed someone to tell me just to live like a regular human again and not target anything

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Excited to hear Modern Mind will be weekly...AWESOME !

[@BobBob-uv9fq]

Started running on the track in Dalkeith,it’s lush

[@joshuapeak6658]

Given you have come off the back of a series of endurance events, you’re looking jacked. Good drills on the vids Furgus 🤙🏽

[@logancole]

That smile made me try and subscribe for a second time

[@mattmasksforehead620]

Definitely on board for a strength phase. Christmas powerlifting meet, while keeping cardio in maintenance?

[@devilmarta]

What said your garmin watch? What was your recovery time on garmin?? must be crazy!!

[@jackmanson8919]

Goggins is the ideal we all strive to be like. We look at Goggins for the example he sets but know it took long time of hard work to get there. You'll probably find youll either spiral bad or youll take less time off and find the next adventure

[@melissaheaton1789]

Recovery is SO important. I’m glad you aren’t like Goggins.

[@rielbertrand8255]

Kick flip rock.