Olympic backlash? USA Triathlon cuts top level funding, a cheaper Garmin Fenix coming, and the Peloton Zwift…

👋 Good morning and happy Friday! Welcome to the Front Pack newsletter, your source for all things endurance. Click here for the web edition.

I’m writing this weeks newsletter outside of my allotted window that I usually give to it. I always start on Tuesday, write, dress it up and put a bow on it by Thursday afternoon, making sure I’m not missing any top news, quotes, or classy memes. All-in-all it takes me more than a few hours each week to complete. AI is good and can do a lot, but there is no automation for this!

So why did I wait so long? The truth is, I didn’t wait. I have a whole newsletter completely done and ready for you and I can’t wait to share it.

The announcement of Front Pack.

The completed, beautiful, and ready for download app.

It’s awesome and exciting but Apple wasn’t ready for us to drop so much happiness all over everyone yet. A few kinks to iron.

So here we are, still waiting. Twiddling my thumbs.

But I promise you, should the winds, stars, moon, and planets all align, that announcement email will be in your inbox soon enough.

Because y’all inspired it and before we unveil it to the world, we’ll be giving you, our loyal newsletter subscribers the chance to become members first!

Hope your week aligned with the winds, stars, moon, and planets. Let’s keep on truckin’.

Stay moving…✌🏼 – Scott

Headlines

🎶 One poop, One puke, One win 🎶: He really did it all. Kristian Blummenfelt is probably the best triathlete on the planet. Yeaaaaa he didn’t win a medal in the Olympics (this time) but last weekend he showed he is not human. Not only did he battle his competitors at the IRONMAN European Championship but his battle with his own body may have been the real test. At one point he stopped to use the porto-john + running out nearly naked, then was openly puking along the course during the run. It was quite a day for the 30-year-old but what a warrior, he’s an absolute force and must be considered the frontrunner to win the World Championship in October. Read more…

Reign of Colorado continues: After storming to victory in Leadville a week ago, Keegan Swenson took his tour 2 hours north to Steamboat Springs and laid some wood down at a very difficult SBT Gravel race, earning yet another payday. The 125 mile course features 10,897 feet of climbing on 88% gravel. On the women’s front, it was Lauren Stephens, the current US Gravel Champion and former National Road Champion defeating the likes of Sofia Gomez Villafañe and two-time SBT GRVL winner Lauren De Crescenzo. Read more…

Leadville Champ Breaks 19-Year-Old Course Record: He called his shot. Ahead of the Leadville 100 ultra, eventual winner David Roche said he’d win. And win he did. Roche never trailed and after 15 hours found himself in the record books, posting a record breaking time of 15:26:34, resetting the course record by more than 16 minutes. Not by luck either, he’s purposely spent years and years training on the course, putting in a few hundred hours. Read more…

Happenings

Meanwhile

USA Triathlon cuts to level funding: After a lackluster Olympics that saw the American athletes finishing with only one medal, it is interesting to read USA Triathlon has decided to withdraw funding to its top-level professionals but will continue funding Project Podium, the long-tail development program. While nobody will say its retaliation against our country’s best, it certainly is interesting timing [puts on my tin foil hat]. Read more…

Are Athletes born or made?: A question we’ve all had. Is our athletic ability programmed into us from birth or is it the thousands of hours we put in that ultimately enhances our abilities. According to a new study, sorry to report but the vast majority of our athletic ability is determined by our parents. So if you’ve got a mom or dad with two left feet, I’m sorry. Interesting study, with interesting results. Read more…

Garmin’s plans for the next Fenix 8: In addition to the hotly-anticipated Fenix 8, word on the street is that there will be a cheaper, Fenix E too. Leaks suggest these will be the first Fenix watches with AMOLED displays rather than MiP (memory in pixel). The benefits of AMOLED are easier visibility (because the screen emits its own light), more natural colors (thanks to a wider color gamut), and faster refresh rates. Read more…

BMC launches Four New Gravel Bikes: The adventure-focussed ‘UnReStricted’ model is now available with or without suspension, an electric motor and more, with clearance for up to a 47mm tyre. Read more…

New Balance Releases 2024 NYC Marathon Collection: We’re still months away from the annual race but New Balance is already prepping those attending to look their best. Get the drip while you still can . Read more…

Peloton Launching Zwift Competitor: You heard that correctly, Peloton is rumored to be launching a gaming-inspired cycling experience video game. In their own words, it will be “A new immersive, gaming-inspired cycling experience meant to encourage social engagement. Users will be able to cycle in a virtual training environment, including a personalized avatar riding through simulated landscapes, either alone or with other virtual riders.” Read more…

Training Tips

Because training is life.

20 Years of Running Knowledge in 27 Minutes: I hate this thumbnail but did walk away from this video having learned more than a few things. I think I’m turning into a runner?

Threshold running Breakthrough – Persist and Prevail: Here me out on this one. You’re going to open it and scoff. “Why in the heck is he sending us training tips from an Olympian?!” Yes. Everyone reading this will never be as fast but look, he does discuss real world takeaways for us AG athletes. Say it with me now….Trust the Process.

Rewatchables

Content for long training days inside or just everyday life.

Heather Jackson vs The Western States 100: I talked to Heather’s husband this week and they’re such awesome, positive people. This video showcases her grit, determination, and the mindset required to tackle one of the toughest ultra marathons in the world.

I ate 6 weed edibles and ran 13 miles through NYC: No idea who this is and do not recommend 6 weed gummies ever, but made me laugh on the treadmill.