Fueling for that Half Mary, IRONMAN sunsets iconic race, Pidcock lands at Q36.5, the 777 race, Salt Pill myths, and more…

👋 Good morning and happy Friday. As always, I’m Scott. Feel free to reach me here.

This is the Front Pack Newsletter, your weekly source for all things endurance. We give you tasty morsels of everything happening in cycling, triathlon, and running.

One month ago, I started running with a friend every Sunday morning before the sun comes up. We’ve aptly named it Pace & Grace and dedicate ourselves to the Cathedral of Sweat 🙏. You see, he’s training for his first half-marathon at the end of January and what started with 4 miles, each week, we’ve added another mile, and this Sunday, we’re tackling 8 miles.

8 miles might sound like a breeze to some, but to others, it’s an incredible milestone—one they’ve never reached or may not even dream of attempting alone. For my friend, it’s a weekly testament to progress and determination as he builds toward his goal.

I still vividly remember my own first “long” run. It was 9 miles, and before I even started, I kept thinking, How am I going to pull this off? But I did it— with the help of others I was with, and because I cared. The sense of pride afterward was unreal. I probably checked that Strava entry a dozen times, and you better believe I walked into the house and told my wife, “I just ran 9 miles!”

Now, I get to relive that feeling through my friend. Helping someone achieve something they once thought was impossible is one of the most rewarding things in life. Watching him grow stronger, faster, and more confident with every run is inspiring. He’s been open to feedback, willing to push himself, and it’s paying off. His pace has lowered by 30 seconds, and I can’t wait to see him cross that finish line in January.

If you know someone who’s looking to try something new or tackle a big goal, reach out and offer your support. We should all back each other, share tips, and help others believe in what’s possible.

That’s all for now. Hope you’ve had a great week—and as always, touch grass, take a deep breath, and stay moving.

Front Pack Podcast is Live

We are live on both the Spotify and Apple podcast networks and will slowly launch all 10 of our episodes to each platform.

For now, support us by giving a listen, subscribing, and dropping in a 5-star rating. We started with one of my favorite episodes below.

Headlines

Pearson Takes Indian Wells: At IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells, it was an Olympic reunion for US star Morgan Pearson, and top Belgian Claire Michel, each winning their respective races to end their 2024 seasons. Morgan who was part of the US Mixed Relay team which claimed a silver medal in Paris saw himself 3-minutes down and in the 8th spot coming off the bike. Though short lived, he would ultimately take the lead by the midway point of the half-marathon. For Claire, it was her final race as a pro triathlete. Read more…

Pidcock Joins Q36.5: Doesn’t it just roll off the tongue? Q Thirty Six Point Five. Lol. Not so much but that is where Tom Pidcock has signed. And this is no surprise because it was the worst kept secret for months. If you don’t know, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is an ambitious Swiss team thats been around since 2023. As for what the name means, 36.5 degrees celsius is the optimal body temperature for any athlete. Read more…

San Antonio = Boston Qualifier: It was sad to see the 2024 San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll half would be its last but very cool to see a replacement is coming. The city is moving ahead with plans for the inaugural San Antonio Marathon, which will bring new routes and a new ambition: becoming a proving ground for Boston Marathon hopefuls. The race is scheduled to take place Dec. 3-5, 2025. Read more…

7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days: A McLean, Virginia, man notched hundreds of miles on the road and thousands in the air last month. He ran seven marathons on seven different continents in just seven days. Longtime marathon runner Frank Fumich started his adventure with a race in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica on Nov. 15 as part of The Great World Race. He then did races in Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; Istanbul, Turkey where he tackled both Europe and Asia by simply crossing the Bosphorus Strait; Cartagena, Columbia. LOL, since he has returned, he’s ran two marathons in the D.C. area. Read more…

Meanwhile

Other happenings in the world of endurance.

Are you Plogging in 2025: Run groups move aside because 2025 is dedicated to Plogging! I can’t say it is something I’ve ever heard of but Plogging is a new fitness trend sweeping the nation! It is individuals and communities getting together to go jogging while picking up trash to help clean up your town, city, or neighborhood. People take sanitary precautions by wearing gloves and carrying hand sanitizer and bags to put the trash in. Read more…

Goodbye Sweet Prince: IRONMAN announced 2025 will be the last year for it’s iconic 70.3 St. George (USA) race. Taking place each May, the company noted, “…demands of the event, including rising costs, increasing populations around race routes, and continued pressure on resources compelled Washington County officials to evaluate all options. With input from community partners, they concluded that after a long and successful run, IRONMAN’s time in St. George would be celebrated and the 2025 edition would be the final one.” Read more…

Half Marathon Szn is here – Fuel accordingly: The start of a new year often inspires runners to take on longer distances, and it’s truly a beautiful thing to witness. While the weather might be chilly, there’s something special about seeing first-timers challenge themselves with longer events—it sets the tone for an incredible year of growth and accomplishments. However, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned runner, proper planning is key. Before tackling a half marathon, make sure you’ve nailed down your on-course nutrition strategy. Check out these great tips to help you prepare. Read more…

For runners aiming to finish a half marathon in the 1:45-2:30 range, that means even if you reach the starting line with a relatively full carb load, you run the risk of emptying the tank and running on fumes.

Best Half Marathon Shoes of 2024: In addition to fueling, take a look at the best half marathon shoes for racing and training. At the top of the list – the Hoka Rocket X 2 and Saucony Endorphin Elite. Other shoes included, the Nike Pegasus 41, and for the trail gang, the Nike Ultrafly. Read more…

Transition Factory Racing Dead: After only 2 seasons, the World Cup Team is closing its doors, highlighting “structural and organizational changes of the World Cup DH series that are out of our control.” Especially a bummer because the team was really good with taking the 2023 Junior Women’s overall title. Read more…

The Top 10 most amazing, one-of-a-kind cycling routes in the world: In a world where every corner seems explored, hidden gems and unique cycling routes await discovery for those willing to pedal off the beaten path. These 10 extraordinary cycling routes beckon adventurers to embark on journeys of a lifetime. Consider ‘Death Road, Bolivia’ or ‘The Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam’. Dream bucket list stuff right here. Read more…

Peloton Launches Audio App: Which is focused on Strength training because that is SO HAWT right now. Or that’s at least what Peloton believes and they’ve launched the audio-based Strength Plus app out of beta, to being $10 a month. Peloton has repeatedly mentioned that strength training is its second most popular exercise type, so they’re banking on this. Read more…

FAKE NEWS: Salt Pills for Post-Workout Rehydration, not necessary: For all of the companies trying to get you to drink more and more electrolytes, experts are saying, *surprise* social media is leading you astray – specifically SALT PILLS. When it comes to replenishing, good old H2O works fine. But during workouts, especially anything longer than 4 hours in length, you really do want something to replenish the body. So get educated on how much your body needs, and plan accordingly. Don’t just “wing it.” Read more…

Cheers

To all that celebrate lottery season.

In the last week, the Hardrock 100, Western States and the Chicago Marathon all let athletes know if they secured a spot in 2025.

All are incredibly hard to get into but the Hardrock 100 is difficult to gain entry into, with 3,023 applying for this year’s lottery alone. This is up from 2,796 lotto applicants for the 2024 edition, an increase of 227 runners.

Unlike the Western States 100, which offers several avenues to gain entry as well as an even more difficult lotto to get through, the only way to secure a guaranteed entry into the Hardrock 100 is to win the previous year’s race. The 2025 Hardrock 100 will have 146 runners, which is the recent standard for the event.

Training Tips

Because training is life.

The Mileage Debate: Unpacking Running Volume for Performance: In this video, dive into the controversial topic of running mileage and training volume. By analyzing recent research on over 100,000 Strava users, coaches discover how marathon times correlate with training volume and the differentiators between elite and recreational runners.

These 4 Easy Fixes Will Improve Anyone’s Swimming Technique: Everyone, from beginner to advanced swimmers has something they can and should be working on improving. Today we look at technique, head, hand, and body positioning.

10 Tips I Wish I knew When I started Cycling: If you are just getting started with cycling, check out these easy tips to get smarter about just about everything.

How To Stop Your Arm From Slipping Through The Water: If you’re new to swimming or have been around for years, you know its all about how you catch and pull yourself through the water that matters.

Rewatchables

Content for long training days inside or just everyday life.

Inside the World of Ultra Running Crews: Ultra running isn’t just about the runner; it’s about the team that keeps them moving. 🏔️ This docu style video is an intimate look at the unsung heroes of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc—those who fuel, guide, and inspire athletes through every grueling mile.

MOVING STILL — The Running, Art, & Life of Joe Greer: Only 1 percent of people in the world ever do a marathon. Only 1 percent of those 1 percent finish in 2:40 or below. Photographer Joe Greer is a world famous street photographer looking to do just this. A very fast runner, this is a story about Joe’s life as much as it is running. Good watch!

The Outdoor Life: This one pulled at my heart. This film explores that transitional period from a father-son who have done so much together. It is Rich’s (father) perspective, the relationship between father and son and how that dynamic developed, and with how they live in the moment as James (son) reaches adolescence.