This article is the first in a series on building your Battle Ready foundation for 2026.

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Before you can build for the future, you need to learn from the past. The temptation at the end of a season is to rush ahead, set bold goals for 2026, and dive straight into training. But if you skip reflection, you miss the opportunity to learn from what worked — and what didn’t. Honest review is the first step to becoming Battle Ready.

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Why Reflection Matters

Race results tell only part of the story. Did you train consistently? Did you manage your energy well? Did your lifestyle support performance, or did it undermine it? By looking beyond finish times, you’ll uncover the process factors that either held you back or propelled you forward. A clear-eyed review allows you to repeat your successes and fix the leaks before they become next year’s problems.

For example, an over-focus on volume might have led to less-than-optimal sleep. While that wouldn’t necessarily show up as reduced consistency, it could still limit progress in your fitness. Alternatively, if consistency and nutrition both score a “2,” perhaps there’s a connection between them.

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Tools for Review

A structured debrief works best when you have data to back it up. Here are some useful tools:

• Training Logs / TrainingPeaks – check consistency, training load, and missed sessions.
• HRV and Resting Heart Rate – simple indicators of recovery and stress.
• Journaling – notes on mood, energy, and motivation across the season. (For example, two runs on the same course might produce similar data, but you felt completely different.)
• Wearables & Apps – sleep tracking, step counts, or even nutrition logs.

Numbers matter, but don’t forget the story behind them. A few lines written in the moment often capture what the graphs can’t.

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Key Areas to Review

When you look back across 2025, consider these areas:

• Training Consistency – did you complete most of the plan, or were you constantly adjusting?
• Racing Execution – did you pace well, fuel properly, and stick to your strategy?
• Nutrition – were your daily habits supporting recovery and health?
• Sleep – did you get enough quality rest to adapt to training?
• Stress & Time Management – were you in control, or constantly playing catch-up?
• Injuries & Illness – did they derail your season, or were you resilient?
• Health Markers – weight, blood pressure, blood work, or simply how you felt day to day.

👉👉👉 For more on the end of season review, check out this short podcast (6 min listen)

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What Went Well vs. What Needs Work

Divide your reflection into two simple columns:

• What Went Well – celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
• What Needs Work – the honest gaps that need attention.

This avoids the trap of “all good” or “all bad” thinking. The truth usually sits somewhere in between.

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Creating Your Season Scorecard

To turn reflection into action, use the Battle Ready Season Scorecard:

(You can CLICK HERE to down load your scorecard)

1. Rate yourself 1–5 in each of the 10 categories (training, racing, nutrition, sleep, stress/time, injuries, health, etc).
2. Plot your scores on the spider web chart.
3. Step back and look at the shape — where are the strong, wide areas? Where does the web shrink in?

This visual snapshot makes it obvious where your foundation is strong and where you need to invest in 2026.

If you notice any categories with particularly low scores (1–2), dig deeper and try to uncover the reasons. These areas may be holding you back from peak performance far more than your FTP or run pace.

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Battle Ready Insight

Reflection isn’t about judging yourself — it’s about clarity. As a coach, I call it noticing and naming. By reviewing your season, you’ll create a clear map of your strengths and weaknesses. That map is the starting point for building your Battle Ready foundation. Because when 2026 arrives, the athletes who take the time to review, reset, and rebuild will be the ones most ready to rise.

Next Step:

You’ve now completed the Battle Ready Strength Series. Framework, bodyweight, kettlebells, and nutrition — you’ve got the full playbook. The next step? Put it into action. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your strength skyrocket.”

Join the Battle Ready Society for more tools, training and support

Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay healthy, strong, and performing at your best. ​ Simon