Elites running Paris Olympics 2024 Marathon, Smart Clothes, Atlanta Track Club and more..

Welcome to August ‘24 version of 'Strides ‘n’ Miles' - a monthly newsletter by Traxamo. Paris Olympics 2024 is underway and Marathon race is scheduled for Aug 10th & 11th, all the eyes on elites - will there be a new record? Innovation in smart clothing is progressing at incredible speed, so we deep dive into what a consumer should keep an eye for when looking for smart clothes. In community spotlight, learn more about the Atlanta Track Club! Enjoy this month’s episode!

In this month’s email:

• Meme Corner 😃 

• Check out the races happening in August 🏃‍♂️ 

• In Tech Corner - What is smart clothing?

• Latest in nutrition and endurance sports

• Elites competing in Paris Olympics 2024 Marathon

• Community Spotlight - Atlanta Track Club (ATC)

MEME CORNER

PLANNING CORNER

Welcome to August 2024. Summer months are here, it’s time for some family time and building memories. Checkout this fun races from across the world to squeeze in travel + run adventures :

Find the list of upcoming marathons near you on Abbott World Marathon Majors Race Directory.

Here are some more resources to plan for your next race:

• 2024 Half Marathons Calendar - USA - https://www.halfmarathons.net/race-calendar/

• International Marathons and Distance - https://aims-worldrunning.org/calendar.html

• Upcoming Marathons in USA - https://runningintheusa.com/classic/list/map/marathon/upcoming

TECH + TRAINING CORNER

The world of clothing is transforming, with technology seamlessly weaving into fabrics to create smart clothing. These innovative garments offer a range of features that go beyond aesthetics, from monitoring your health to enhancing your performance. If you are looking to incorporate smart clothing into your active life, here are a couple of areas to weigh in:

Pros:

1. Activity Tracking: Smart clothing can monitor various aspects of an athlete's performance, including heart rate, body temperature, and movement patterns.

2. Real-time Data: Athletes and coaches can access real-time information about performance metrics, allowing for immediate adjustments during training or competition.

3. Injury Prevention: By tracking body movements and stress points, smart clothing can help identify potential injury risks before they become serious.

4. Performance Enhancement: The data collected can be used to optimize training regimens and improve overall athletic performance.

5. Comfort and Convenience: Smart clothing is designed to be lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, often eliminating the need for separate wearable devices.

6. Durability: Many smart garments are designed to be waterproof and sweat-resistant, making them suitable for endurance sports in various conditions.

7. Recovery Monitoring: Some smart clothing can track recovery metrics, helping athletes optimize their rest periods.

Cons:

1. Cost: Smart clothing tends to be more expensive than traditional athletic wear.

2. Battery Life: Many smart garments require charging, which can be inconvenient for long endurance events.

3. Data Overload: The abundance of information provided by smart clothing can be overwhelming and potentially distracting for some athletes.

4. Privacy Concerns: There are potential security risks associated with the collection and transmission of personal health data.

5. Durability Concerns: Despite improvements, the electronic components in smart clothing may still be vulnerable to damage from repeated use and washing.

6. Potential for Over-reliance: Athletes might become too dependent on the technology, potentially neglecting their own bodily awareness and instincts.

7. Complexity: Some smart clothing systems may have a learning curve or require technical knowledge to use effectively.

8. Regulatory Issues: As a relatively new technology, smart clothing may face challenges with sports regulations and competition rules.

In the context of endurance sports, smart clothing offers significant potential for performance improvement and injury prevention. However, athletes and coaches need to weigh these benefits against the potential drawbacks, particularly in terms of cost, reliability, and the risk of over-reliance on technology.

NUTRITION & DIET CORNER

In this month’s edition, we are bringing you latest trends and news in sports nutrition especially for endurance sports. Here are the latest developments in nutrition for endurance sports:

1. Low glycemic index (GI) diets are showing promise for improving endurance performance. A recent 10-week study found that a high-carbohydrate, low-GI diet led to several benefits for endurance athletes compared to low-carb or high-GI diets, including:

• Decreased energy intake

• Lower blood lactate levels during exercise

• Improved performance on graded exercise tests

• Maintained muscle glycogen stores

• Better 5km time trial performance

The low-GI diet appeared to enhance metabolic flexibility, allowing athletes to efficiently use both fats and carbohydrates for fuel.

2. Protein intake is gaining more attention for endurance athletes. While carbohydrates have traditionally been the focus, research now shows that adequate protein intake can promote mitochondrial density and muscular adaptations needed for endurance. Specifically:

• Endurance athletes likely need higher daily protein intake than previously thought

• Long-term protein supplementation may improve endurance performance

• Collagen peptides are being studied as a novel protein source for endurance athletes

3. Sports nutrition product launches are increasing rapidly, with 18% annual growth from 2021 to 2023. Key trends include:

• More innovative formats like gels, yogurts, and chocolates (39% annual growth)

• Rising popularity of sports bars and protein drinks (34% annual growth)

• Increased use of dairy-based proteins, especially whey and casein

4. Post-workout recovery is emerging as a growing category, with companies developing science-backed ingredients to help athletes bounce back after training.

5. A concerning trend of extreme calorie restriction before competitions has been identified as harmful to both performance and health. Research shows this practice can:

• Reduce performance by up to 18% in intense short-term tests

• Weaken the immune system

• Increase stress hormones like cortisol

• Have more severe impacts on female athletes

Experts are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of this practice among athletes and coaches.These developments highlight the evolving understanding of nutrition's role in optimizing endurance performance and athlete health. The focus is shifting towards more balanced approaches that consider long-term adaptations and overall wellbeing, rather than just short-term energy provision

ELITE CORNER

Paris Olympics ‘24 is in full swing. Endurance sports community is eagerly waiting for the August 10th & 11th 2024 when Men’s and Woman’s Olympics marathon race will take place. While Paris Olympics will make history with mass participation through Marathon Pour Tous, here are the elite athletes line up for the race:

Men's Marathon

1. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) - The legendary marathoner is aiming for his third consecutive Olympic gold, likely his final Olympics.

2. Benson Kipruto (Kenya) - One of the few athletes to have run a marathon in 2:02 this year.

3. Timothy Kiplagat (Kenya) - Another top Kenyan runner with a 2:02 marathon time this year.

4. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) - The Olympic legend with three gold medals is also competing, marking his final Olympic race.

5. Morhad Amdouni (France) - Holds the fastest European marathon time this year at 2:03:47 and will have the home advantage.

6. Emile Cairess (Great Britain) - An emerging talent who has qualified with a time of 2:06:46.

7. Connor Mantz (USA) - Another athlete to watch, representing Team USA.

Women's Marathon

1. Charlotte Purdue (Great Britain) - Qualified with a time of 2:22:17, making her joint second on the British all-time list.

2. Calli Hauger-Thackery (Great Britain) - Secured her Olympic spot with a debut marathon time that matches Purdue's.

3. Rose Harvey (Great Britain) - Transitioned from a corporate lawyer to a professional runner, qualifying with a time of 2:23:21.

4. Mahamed Mahamed (Great Britain) - Qualified with a time of 2:07:05 despite fasting during Ramadan.

5. Philip Sesemann (Great Britain) - A junior doctor who qualified with a time of 2:08:00.

These athletes are expected to deliver thrilling performances in the marathon events at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Atlanta Track Club (ATC) is a prominent nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to promoting health and fitness through running and walking. Established to inspire and engage the community, ATC organizes a variety of events, training programs, and outreach activities aimed at runners of all ages and abilities.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Atlanta Track Club is to deliver world-class running events while fostering community involvement. The organization emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging both youth and adults to participate in running, regardless of their fitness levels. Their vision is to create an active and healthy Atlanta, motivating the community to embrace a healthier lifestyle through running and walking.

Membership and Benefits

ATC is the second-largest running organization in the United States, offering various membership options that include benefits such as:

• Free entry into member-exclusive events

• Discounts on all ATC events and training programs

• Access to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race with guaranteed placement

• Group runs and walks across the city

• Discounts at local running stores and attractions.

Membership levels cater to individuals, couples, and families, with annual fees ranging from $40 to $85.

Events and Community Engagement

The club hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the iconic Peachtree Road Race, which is one of the largest 10K races in the world. ATC also offers training programs designed to prepare participants for various running events, providing coaching and support to help runners achieve their goals. In addition to competitive events, ATC engages in community outreach, emphasizing the benefits of running and walking to enhance public health and well-being. The organization collaborates with local partners to extend its impact within the community.Overall, Atlanta Track Club plays a vital role in fostering a culture of fitness and community engagement through running, making it a cornerstone of the Atlanta running scene.

WHAT’S NEW AT TRAXAMO

Check out the latest episodes of Tech in 26.2 podcast. Also, we are busy with the upcoming pod on Traxmo - Fundraising in 26.2. So if you are someone who nailed the fundraising game or know someone who does, please share this google form to fill out to have the opportunity to be on the podcast. Stay tuned!

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