# Ep 92: Who Am I Without the Next Goal? Why You Feel Lost After Marathon Training, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584/ep-92-who-am-i-without-the-next-goal-why-you-feel-lost-after-marathon-training-with-dr-michelle-quirk-of-mindful-marathon
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584/ep-92-who-am-i-without-the-next-goal-why-you-feel-lost-after-marathon-training-with-dr-michelle-quirk-of-mindful-marathon.md
Podcast: [Mindful Marathon Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584)
Published: 2026-06-15T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mindfulmarathon.podbean.com/e/ep-92-who-am-i-without-the-next-goal-why-you-feel-lost-after-marathon-training-with-dr-michelle-quirk-of-mindful-marathon/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7uf2pxf6niw6yqj2/Ep_92_Running_Off_Season8kjlj.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584/episodes/ep-92-who-am-i-without-the-next-goal-why-you-feel-lost-after-marathon-training-with-dr-michelle-quirk-of-mindful-marathon
Duration seconds: 846

## Resource

Feeling Adrift After Marathon Training? You're Not Alone. Have you ever crossed the finish line of a marathon, half marathon, or other big goal race and then found yourself wondering, Now what? In this episode, Dr. Michelle Quirk explores the surprisingly common feeling of being "adrift" after a training cycle ends. Inspired by a message from one of her athletes after the London Marathon, this conversation dives into why the post-race transition can feel so uncomfortable, especially for high-achieving professionals who are accustomed to having a clear goal on the horizon. You'll learn why this feeling is completely normal, how the structure of training becomes intertwined with our identity, and why the off-season isn't a void to fill but an important season of recovery, reflection, and growth. Whether you've recently completed a race or you're approaching the end of a training cycle, this episode will help you navigate the space between goals with greater intention and self-compassion. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why finishing a training cycle can leave you feeling unexpectedly lost How training plans provide structure, identity, and a sense of progress The "achievement trap" many physicians and high achievers experience Why the off-season is a valuable part of the training process How to shift from following a map to following a compass Reflection questions to help you make the most of your next season Reflection Questions What did this past training cycle give me? What did I learn about myself during this training cycle? What do I need most in this next season? Resources Mentioned Episode 33: Between Races: Making the Most of Your Running Off-Season https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-bz4j8-188b8ec runDisney Customized Training Plans https://mindful-marathon.com/contact…

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