Why reflection matters: Take a look back before you move forward
- Carrie Jackson
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
You did it! Check the box: another season is in the books.
As the season winds down, I know how tempting it is to immediately start setting your sights on next season. We're ready to set the bar higher and get to work! But before we shift our focus forward, I want to emphasize the value of first taking a look back.
Reflective practice is the intentional process of examining our actions, decisions, and experiences to gain deeper understanding and awareness. Our ability to learn and improve is directly tied to the quality of the feedback we receive, and reflection is how we give that feedback to ourselves. Taking time to review our season ensures we're building on our experiences, learning from them, and setting ourselves up for even better performance in the future.
Why it's worth it
When we're used to always setting the bar higher, it's easy to feel the pull to skip a formal post-season review. We might think, I don't need to do that; I already know what went well and what didn't.
But here's the question: are we reflecting on the experience itself or on our memory of the experience? Because there's a big difference.
Reflection isn't about dwelling on the past; it's about collecting the data (mental, emotional, and physical) that helps us move forward smarter. We've just spent months training and racing; that's a gold mine of information about what worked, what didn't, and what might need to change next time.
The challenge is that our memory doesn't always give us an accurate picture of what actually happened. Thanks to something called the Peak-End Rule, the brain tends to remember experiences based on the most intense moments and how they ended, not the full story. So if we're skipping a formal evaluation and relying only on memory, we're mining for fool's gold.
Our time and energy are valuable. Reflection is how we make sure our investments truly pay off.
What we gain
A post-season reflection helps us:
Recognize growth. When we look back at how far we've come—our consistency, resilience, and small wins—we give ourselves tangible proof that we're improving. We might be surprised by just how much progress we actually made.
Spot patterns. We'll start to see what truly works for us and what doesn't. Without reflection, we're guessing; with it, we're learning.
Refine goals. Instead of setting the same goal every season ("get faster"), we start setting better goals, ones that align with who we are now, not who we were last season.
Close the loop. Taking time to mentally and emotionally close out a season gives us the reset we need before diving into the next one. This is especially important if we're still carrying any frustration or disappointment from last season.
How to do it
A post-season reflection doesn't need to be complicated. Set aside 30–60 minutes, find a quiet spot, and ask yourself a few key questions:
What were some of my biggest accomplishments, and what am I proud of?
What challenged me the most, and how did I respond?
What did I learn about myself as an athlete?
Where did I see the biggest gains, mental or physical?
What would I do differently next time?
What parts of my performance would I like to strengthen for next season, mental or physical?
What do I want to focus on during the off season?
What am I most looking forward to next season?
Reflection is one of those invisible parts of training that separates athletes who just log miles from those who grow season after season. So before we chase that next PR or jump into our next training block, let's give ourselves a chance to pause, look back, and honor how far we've come. We'll start the next season with more clarity, more confidence, and a stronger sense of purpose. The next version of you—the one who starts the new season stronger, wiser, and more grounded—will thank you for it.
At BaseCamp, we believe that every cyclist has the potential to achieve greatness, no matter where they start. Our mission is to create a community-driven training environment where cyclists and triathletes of all levels can train together, support each other, and grow stronger, faster, and more confident in their abilities. Our cycling training programs are expert driven and tailored to your needs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, BaseCamp is where you belong.
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