Periodize!

In my life and again in the last couple of months, I learned by experience and failure about ‘periodizing’.  

‘Periodizing’ is a very interesting word on its own.

Firstly, asking Copilot about the meaning of the word ‘to periodize’, my prompt generates the following output;

To periodize is to structure your time and energy into purposeful phases, whether in training, work, or life—so you can perform, recover, and grow sustainably. A key basic in fulfilling your purpose and biggest dreams, in my opinion.

1. A period to grow myself at Microsoft!

One of the non-influenceable happenings in the last two weeks is the global announcement and huge changes within the Microsoft organization. How I deal with it. I have been working at Microsoft for 5,5 years. Two months ago, I changed roles to a new fantastic position. For sure this move was a very conscious one and it felt like a perfect match in my very first two months after starting date. Two weeks ago, I was sitting with my manager. In a very respectful and supportive way I got the message that my role was impacted. My role simply does not exist anymore in the new set up of our organization for a lot of good reasons that I support. Many, many, many colleagues around me and our teams are affected, worldwide. I herewith would like to send over to you all my very best wishes and wisdom, the power to connect with yourself, to take leadership for yourself, to feel what really matters to you, and to decide the best way for you to move forward. Every one of my dearest colleagues has their own story and view on this huge impact and change. It is a hard time, also for the ones not being impacted as well as for management and the leadership team to land all these messages in a good way. We need to connect with ourselves and each other, to support and help each other. We need defining our Plan A and Plan B, to have trust and to be bold. A period of Hit & Refresh. Take in mind, this is just a period. A very interesting period for all of us to grow again! Peak when you need to excel in getting your new challenging job or assignment so you will continue to offer your unique personal and professional value to persons and organizations.

Below I would also like to share some of my recent and concrete failures and experiences in my running adventures with regards to the right balance of periodizing -

2.       Using periods of training to exercise

Last April I participated in the Vienna Marathon. My condition and readiness was in optimal form to break a new PB, Personal Best. On that early morning, it turns out to be minus 6 degrees combined with a wind that was hard, cold and sharp as a knife. It was freezing cold so I could not even open my Maurten Gels, using my teeth because my hands were frozen. And I can say, I need those carbs during marathons. I had rather exercise opening Gels with my teeth during training period. How stupid of me, I never tried before. To be ready, practice what you need to exercise. So you can excel when you want to outperform. The headline photo is showing my state of mind after finishing the Vienna Marathon with some mixed feelings.

3.       Accepting there are different levels of success along the way. Put it into perspective.

My legs were getting much stiffer in the second half of the Vienna marathon heading towards the finish line. The cold and wind slowed me down, realizing I was not breaking any PR today, not even in my top form physical condition. It turns out to be a finish time of 2 hours and 61 minutes;) Getting over the line, it felt like I had not pushed myself enough now I had not succeeded in finishing at least below the magical 3 hours. I must admit, I want to get most out of every race, as much as I can. And if possible, breaking new personal records is the icing on the cake. Not having that PR, and even not finishing below 3 hours, was a true disappointment to me. In return I got a wise lesson from my trainer; in your life-long (running) journey, there will be ups, and downs, better years and moderate years. You will see this trend after a longer period. To accept this, is the ticket to endless joy and adventure!

4.       Interval training - keeping up my highest pace until the last meter!

This week I had my interval training, running 8 blocks of 800 meters at highest pace. To maintain that super high pace until the last meter is a mental one. The first 600 meters are okay and good to go. I am fresh and rested to give that power. The last 200 meters is the period and phase where I will start growing and getting stronger. Do I decide to fall back in pace, or do I challenge myself to keeping up at highest pace, to push myself forward and being in the moment until the very last meter. Shortly after, you can take that breath, winding up, enjoying the kick to not letting go, taking another breath, getting ready for the next sprint. Essential element in periodizing yourself: take recovery time, reflect but not over-reflect. With good recovery, you can push yourself to the limit when it is the moment for you to excel again. Good recovery is what you can influence yourself, by applying good sleep, food, positive inspiration you absorb, and having friends around you. The non-influenceable conditions around you, this is just what it is, for a period.

5. Periodizing my race year; A and B races.

In running we can define ourselves A and B races. An A race is your world class result to go for, where the B race could be approached as a great training option or an option to enjoy other factors. Six weeks after Vienna Marathon I was participating at the 'Koning van Spanje' 43 kilometers trail, again together with my dear running buddy Margriet. After asking a lot of myself during the Vienna Marathon, this trail run was all about enjoying nature and experiencing the feeling not to stretch and to go the deepest I can. This way of balancing your races (and/or work) is more healthy and beneficial for your long-term mentality and spirit of endless joy.

To conclude, as you might know when reading more of my recent blogs, running energizes and teaches me valuable lessons in so many different ways. Running brings me the daily experience that I feel refreshed to go into unforeseen or predicted hard times as well as new adventures when they are there. Running brings me the opportunity and challenge to get out of my comfort zone, to adapt, to fail, to learn and to grow. I learned how periodizing is bringing me more joy. After taking a proper recovery, I am more strong, awake and eager to give the best I can.

Last thing to mention is how super grateful and proud I am that I received a letter from the Vienna Marathon organization, including a golden medal with my name and finishing time encrypted. It turned out that I finished as the first female marathon winner in my age group 45 – 49. Deeper data discovery on the official links gave me more info. I seem to be the 26th fastest marathon runner globally in my age group. This list is, fortunately, changing all the time, since competition is also growing and this is a huge charm. I feel strongly connected with all my peers. Still, a humble 'wow' inside of me, since I could not ever think about this. Living my dream! My finish time in Vienna was put into perspective. Not a PR, not below the magical 3 hours. Unexpectedly, the end time result of 3:01:07 hours turned out to be the icing on the cake. It taught me to keep up putting results, ranking lists or non-influenceable conditions all in perspective.

Last weekend I enjoyed the final match at Wimbledon, Sinner versus Alcatraz. Sinner inspired me with his words; 'it is not about the result, and all the efforts you put into it. It is about becoming a better person in life.

Whatever period you are in, just become that better person you are!

I wish you all a very nice summer time together with your loved ones.

Warm regards, Danielle