Trail Running Psychology

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Session Notes The Anchor
Addressing:

Post-Race Emptiness

The psychological void that follows major goal races, where months of purpose-driven training suddenly end and athletes experience depression, loss of identity, and difficulty finding motivation for the next training cycle ---

How The Anchor Can Overcome Post-Race Emptiness in Trail Running

Posted on December 5, 2025 ~ min read
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For: The Anchor athletes in Trail Running
Focus: Session Notes - Post-Race Emptiness
Read Time: ~10 min
Session Notes December 5, 2025
Profile: The Anchor
Sport: Trail Running
Challenge: Post-Race Emptiness

In trail running, post-race emptiness is the psychological void that arrives after crossing a finish line you spent months chasing. The Anchor iconThe Anchor (ISTC) athletes are particularly vulnerable because their entire training cycle was structured around internal meaning and collaborative purpose. When that purpose suddenly disappears, the void feels enormous.

Most advice sounds like this: celebrate your accomplishment, take a rest week, sign up for another race. Simple. Logical. And completely inadequate for athletes whose motivation runs deeper than checking boxes.

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Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

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