Use it as motivation

For Low, a missed time can act as a driving force to plan future races and improve on performance. She says: “Every disappointment is an opportunity to improve and to dig deeper to reach that goal next time… Looking forward to the next challenge or goal is always a great way to bounce back.

“After some recovery and downtime, get excited about what’s next.” It may not feel great at the time, but missing out on a training goal may be just what you need to push that little bit harder next time.

In fact, a 2019 study conducted by Northwestern University found that scientists who had experienced failures earlier on in their careers went on to be more successful in their profession. The results lend themselves to the hypothesis that failure can act as a valuable lesson and may strengthen our resolve to better ourselves. While benching a PB isn’t quite the same as flying to space, this research is indicative of a wider trend: that failure can motivate you to meet or even surpass your ambitions.

Fitness motivation: why failing your training goal might be what you need