SIMPLE STEPS TO KEEP YOUR SEASON LURG-FREE
Think you know how to prevent bugs? Well the IOC has official guidelines
Want to race lurg-free? Don’t we all! Well, all hail the International Olympic Committee, who, following years of studies and athlete feedback, has recently updated its general guidelines for preventing illness in athletes. A few are targeted at the elites – e.g. minimising contact with people – but there are many that age-groupers can cherrypick to keep them training and racing consistently in 2017.
In no particular order, we have: wear open footwear when using public showers, swimming pools and locker rooms in order to avoid skin diseases; carry handwashing gel; and adopt strategies to promote quality sleep, including 10-15min afternoon naps. Sold! There’s also an extensive section on training and racing abroad, which advises: choose beverages from sealed bottles; avoid raw veg and undercooked meat; and wash and peel fruit before eating. In short, it’s time to go all Team Sky and stop illness before it comes between you and your triathlon!