My Strava Rapha Festive500 Journey

4 years, 4 x #festive500 . This year was bigger not because of the challenge itself but because I revised my annual goal to 7000Km earlier this month and needed just under 700Km to reach that goal (some of it was done before the #festive500 started).

I have pushed myself this last 8 days to get there and right now every part of my body is feeling it. 2x100 Milers formed the bulk of the distance, another 100Km and a couple of sub 100 rides and on top of that much of it was done in pouring rain, at least 2 heavy thunderstorms that soaked to the skin. The blessing of the rain being that the temperatures were lower.

As a summary here are the distances for each day:

• Day #1 : 161Km
• Day #2 : 35Km
• Day #3 : 109Km
• Day #4 : 26Km
• Day #5 : 162Km
• Day #6 : 15Km
• Day #7 : 62Km
• Day #8 : 55Km

You can see a bit more in the video I made of the journey.

This year has definitely not been the greatest for me in the few years I've been riding (actually the last 2 years have been a bit of a battle) but at least I think I have gotten to the bottom of the physical issue dragging me down, basically boils down to doing too much without a proper plan, resulting in overtraining and depletion of iron reserves. (yes I know one or two birdies have been telling me this for a while). Anyhow iron supplements in hand, a better training plan and a rather ridiculous target to achieve (not distance), hopefully, I can improve in the coming year.

Through all this, there are two lessons that can be taken which at first seem paradoxical but nevertheless true. (I'm sure there are more lessons but 2 will do)
1. We are capable of more than we think
2. We have limits

In other words, don't talk yourself into doing too little but watch for the signs that you are doing too much, don't just take your own thinking and feelings into consideration, seek advice and listen to those around you, they might be wrong but at least worth considering.

Set yourself goals that seem somewhat (but not too much) more than achievable, and then set smaller targets along the way to achieve said goal, if things happen along the way that make the goal completely unachievable, don't be afraid to reconsider, recalculate, and revise if necessary but don't let your heart be broken and don't give up.

Thanks to all those that support this nutcase, and to those whose achievements provide inspiration.

Finally have yourselves a blessed and prosperous 2017 (in one way or another, money and things aren't everything). God Bless.