As great as the Rapha festive 500 is for getting people out and about exercising over the festive period, I can’t help but think it could be detrimental for those who haven’t done a bit of preparation for it or for those who are training specifically for a sport. It’s a big change and disruption to normal day to day training and life.
What you have to realise is that it’s more than likely a massive change in training load in a very short period of time. This ridiculously increases the risk of injury or illness around the festive period, especially as it’s already high risk time due to a lot of socialising and lowered immune systems due to alcohol and the change in weather.
I realise this comes across as a fairly negative point, however think it’s necessary to highlight, just in case you’re wondering why you may or may not have come down with something over the holidays.
I think this is especially the case for triathletes, as they have other training loads with swimming, and in particular … running. Running is already a sport to be careful with, do to it being high impact and weight bearing.
Cyclists tend to get away with injury as in general it’s relatively safe, however it can lower the immune system.
All being said… it’s still a fantastic initiative from Rapha to get people out and about on bikes, and at the end of the day, thats what we are all about. Encouraging and helping people to do better and be better.
So i'm certainly not saying don't get out there and do it... just be careful, have fun and be sensible!
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