Last weekend, Adam and I hosted a Runners Race Day Prep & Recovery Session.
On the surface, it was about preparing for a race – marathons, half marathons, 10ks.
But underneath it all, the message was something much bigger.
And something that applies to all of us, whether you run or not.
We started the session by asking each person what they were training for and what they needed. And very quickly, one thing became clear.
Every single person was different.
Different goals. Different bodies. Different ages. Different levels of ability.
And yet so many people come into race week thinking there is a “perfect” way to do things. A perfect plan. A perfect routine. A perfect formula to follow.
But there isn’t.
We live in a world where we are constantly being told what we should be doing. On social media, through apps and data, from influencers and experts, and from people trying to sell the next “must-have” solution.
Do this. Don’t do that. You’re missing out if you’re not using this method. This is backed by the latest research.
And before long, you stop trusting yourself.
You start second-guessing your decisions, questioning your body and looking outside for answers you already have within you.
One of the most important conversations we had in the session wasn’t about training at all. It was about awareness.
Listening to your body. Understanding your energy. Recognising when to push and when to rest.
Because your body doesn’t just respond to exercise, it responds to everything – your sleep, stress levels, what you eat, how well you hydrate, how much you move (or don’t), your hormones and your overall environment.
No two people experience these things in the same way, so why would the same plan work for everyone?
The feedback after the session said it all.
“I feel much clearer on what I should and shouldn’t be doing.”
“It was really useful to see that you both prepare in different ways – it made me feel more at ease.”
“Very informative and helped me understand why my performance has been poor in the past.”
“I feel more confident in my training and what I’ve done in the build up.”
This is what happens when you remove the noise and bring things back to the individual. Clarity replaces confusion. Confidence replaces doubt.
And this isn’t just about running.
Whether you’re preparing for a race, trying to improve your health, or simply wanting to feel better in your body, the same principle applies.
There is no one perfect way. There is only what works for you.
Your body is constantly giving you feedback through your energy levels, tension, fatigue, and how you feel physically and emotionally. The question is, are you listening? Or are you overriding it with noise?
We introduced a simple idea during the session. Ask yourself each day, how am I feeling today? What percentage is my battery on?
That one question creates awareness. And awareness leads to better decisions.
You don’t need more information. You don’t need more tools. You don’t need to follow every new trend or piece of “latest research” that appears in your feed.
What you need is to reconnect with yourself.
To filter out the noise. To let go of comparison. To stop doing things just because someone else says you should.
And to trust that you already know more than you think.
Because you do.