I was on a podcast, 20K feet of climbing, Zwift Ride, the fastest aero socks, deals & steals, and more…

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

Shout out to all the dad’s out there holding down a million different things. Hope you have a great Father’s Day, get some me time in or whatever it is you need. Remember. It’s your day!

Thanks for subscribing and as always, share with a friend.

Stay moving…✌🏼 – Scott

Headlines

🏊🚴🏃 Knibb Wins ahead of Olympics: Taylor Knibb (USA) was dominant once again; this time at the San Francisco T100. Taking place on the iconic Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon course; athletes start by jumping off a boat near the famous prison and swimming to shore. From there they cycle and run throughout SF. Knibb who was second following the swim quickly took the lead to win by under 4 minutes. In the men’s pro race, Marten Van Riel (BELG) out sprinted Kyle Smith (NZ) for a photo finish ending. Van Riel is now five for five in long course races. Read more…

🏊🚴🏃 Foley for the Win: Trevor Foley (USA) has had a snakebitten 2024 but he may just have gotten his groove back. At IRONMAN Boulder 70.3, Foley took the win by beating a tough pro crowd, including Matt Hansen, Sam Appleton, and Colin Szuch. Dude had an unreal bike split – 1:51. SHEESH. In the women’s race, Ellie Salthouse (AUS) beat Sif Bendix Madsen (DEN) by 30 seconds to take the win. Read more…

🛶 The Coolest Race We’ve Never Heard Of: I tend to stay in my lane when it comes to what we cover but this was too good not to include. Referred to as “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” but officially named The Texas Water Safari, this 260-mile canoe race happened last weekend, beginning in San Marcos, TX and ending far South on the Texas coast. With only 100 hours to complete the race, what’s to be expected? Heat, dam portages, bridges, rushing water, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, alligators and lots of mosquitos. This years winners – Log Jammin’ in 42 hours and 5 minutes. Read more…

❌ ☠️ 20,000 Feet of Climbing: I’d actually die before completing the Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB. But alas, Eva Maria Sperger (GER) and Manuel Anguita (SPN) finished the 68 mile race in 15 hours 18 minutes and 12 hours 54 minutes, respectively. Read more…

Meanwhile

🏊 The Ultramarathon Swimmer of Portugal: An incredible story about Mayra Santos who became the first person to swim 20 continuous miles around the island of Madeira. But the last mile almost never happened. With whitecaps and an infected eye damaged during the single-digit miles that became almost unbearable with every stroke, it’s a tale of perseverance and completing your mission. Read more…

🚴 Zwift Introduces, Ride: Just when you thought Zwift might be out on the hardware game, they announce their newest product, Ride. Available June 26 for $1,299.99, Ride comes with the Kickr core stand and promises a real ride feel, quiet and customizable virtual gear shifting, and full control of Zwift from your handlebars. Read more…

🏊🚴🏃 Apple Announces New Training Features: At their June event this week, Apple announced a few new Apple Watch features that will help it become the fitness tracker its always promised to be. Training Load will tell users how they’re tracking against their baseline performance; pausing Activity rings will allow for a day off or when you’re nursing an injury; and Vitals will give users a snapshot view of heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration and blood oxygen levels. Read more…

🚴 Ride the Rad: On Monday, Life Time announced any participant in this year’s Rad Dirt Fest may earn the opportunity to skip the Unbound lottery and land a spot in the 2025 Kansas gravel race. They’re putting 100 “qualifier coins” up for grabs at the Rad. Riders who finish either the 110- or 70-mile race distances will be eligible to earn one the coins. Fifty of the qualifier coins will be allocated to the top riders within each award category. The remaining half will be distributed in a random drawing among all riders that have successfully completed either of the qualifier distances. Read more…

🏃 Your Top 5 Running Shoes of 2024, so Far: We’re 6-months in and if you run consistently, you’re probably in the need for a new pair of everyday running shoes. The folks at Marathon Handbook have you covered, highlighting the Hoka Clifton 9, Asics Gel Nimbus 26, Brooks Glycerin 21, New Balance 880 v14, and the Nike Invincible Run 3. Read more…

🚴🏃 DeFeet are DeFastest: See what I did there; ugh, I hate myself. But it’s true, if you’re going for full on marginal gains, the new DeFeet Evo Jet socks claim to save a massive 24 watts of drag compared to bare, shaved legs. Actually a massive gain. Now good luck finding them, I’ve been hunting but all sold out so far. Read more…

🏊🚴🏃 Whoop launches new band: People love their Whoop but the band gets a band rap so the company launched Sportflex, a dirt-proof silicone band. According to their CEO, the new band was in development for 3 years. And it will set you back $59. Read more…

My Passion for Sport and Front Pack

Whether you’re new here or have been around, this podcast is a good place for me to (re)introduce myself again or for the first time. I was lucky enough to be invited to The Real Austin podcast last week to discuss my journey from a 40-year-old triathlon newbie to a competitive AG endurance athlete tackling races, family, work, and everything that goes along with it. I also talked about this, Front Pack, and my goal of uniting the fragmented world of endurance sports. Learn how this upcoming platform will offer a positive, supportive community for athletes of all levels and provide resources for training, coaching, and even friendly competition. Listen on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

Deals & Steals

Oakley Sutro Sunglasses – $152 $192: Bro. Do you even workout if you don’t own a pair of these? But seriously. They’re popular for a reason and that reason is because they’re the best. They don’t fall of the bridge of your nose cycling or running. Get em below while they’re on sale.

Nike Invincible 3 Running Shoes – $152 $179.99: Highlighted in our earlier post, these trainers were a part of the best shoes of 2024 roundup (so far). So get em while they’re on sale.

Garmin Edge 1040 Bike Computer – $499 $600: With 35 hours of battery life and multiband GNSS technology that provides enhance positioning accuracy, the Edge 1040 is Garmin’s best large display computer.

Training Tips

Because training is life.

🏊🚴🏃 How to Train Your Gut: Start now or at least weeks out from your big race. You need to make sure your body is going to be able to handle the high carb intake it’s about to endure over an extended period. Learn more…

🚴 Race Tactic and Power Analysis: Is this a training tip vide? Yes, and I’ll tell you why, I’m a nerd for diving into numbers and analyzing why things may have turned out the way they did. In one of his best recaps, Dylan Johnson highlights a variety of things he did at UNBOUND Gravel that got him the best result of his career. From race tactics, to power, we can all learn a few things from this one.

🏃 Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course Review 2024: I’ve been following this channel for a few months now as they dive into IRONMAN Lake Placid, giving helpful course and other general tips. For anyone racing in July but won’t have access to the bike course ahead of time, give it a watch.

Rewatchables

Content for long training days inside or just everyday life.

🏊🚴🏃 Inches to Miles: Thoroughly enjoyed this documentary from the folks at Athletic Brewing. Whether you’re into IRONMAN or not, Inches to Miles isn’t about following pros on their journey but just normal people like you and I as they prepare for and compete in IRONMAN Lake Placid. It’s not just about the prep but the slew of personal challenges each faces to get to the the starting line.

🚴 Wingman: The Tobin & Keegan Story: Hear directly from these two as they talk friendships, racing, strategy, and mental warfare as it relates to their competition.

🚴 Munda Biddi Dreaming // An Ultra Cycling Record Film: In November 2023, Ultra Cyclist Jack Thompson attempted a world record go at riding the World’s Longest Continuous Bile Trail unsupported.