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Flynn Endurance & Outdoor Recreation

Flynn Endurance & Outdoor RecreationFlynn Endurance & Outdoor RecreationFlynn Endurance & Outdoor Recreation

These are a few of my favorite things:

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ROAD iD

I've been using some sort of ROAD iD product for over a decade. I currently use the Sidekick model on my Garmin watchband. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and purchase (and wear) a ROAD iD. A great, practical, common sense safety investment.

Hygiene

Squirrel's Nut Butter is my go-to anti-chafe product. 

  • Anti-Chafe Salve before runs
  • Saddle Butter Cycling Salve before bike rides
  • Happie Toes to treat my feet after long runs or wet runs (also works well on dry skin in winter)
  • Born to Rub helps if I'm experiencing pain or discomfort with a joint or muscle.


Orange Mud Transition and Seat Wrap - This towel is very versatile. I keep one in the trunk of my car, and I always take one with me if I drive to an event, run, or ride. The zip-up hood feature which goes over the headrest on a car seat makes this super convenient, since you don't have to worry about the towel slipping down on the seat. 

Running

Running Shoes:

  • Altra Escalante Racer - From the moment I put this shoe on, it felt perfect. It continues to impress! 
  • Altra Superior 4.5 - I sprained my ankle about a mile into a 50k, wearing a high cushion trail shoe. I finished the race, despite the discomfort. For the next couple days, I was only comfortable barefoot or in a low-cushion, low-drop shoe. Anything higher off the ground or with a lot of cushion made my ankle feel too "wobbly" and caused significant discomfort. I had a Saturday half marathon and Sunday 50k coming up the following weekend. I tried on the Superior and it felt great. I bought it, did a 5 mile trail run in it on Friday, and then PR-ed in the 50k wearing the Superior on Sunday. It has continued to impress, and has cemented its place as my go-to trail shoe. 
  • Hoka One One Carbon X - A great companion for long runs. There is a noticeable reduction in stress, and the body feels less fatigued the following day. Shortly after starting to run in the Carbon X, I ran a half marathon in Mississippi on Saturday and then another half marathon in Louisiana on Sunday. When I began the Sunday run, I felt incredibly fresh. After running a virtual marathon in the Carbon X a couple months later, I had the same experience. I ran my third fastest marathon time, but felt great the following day. Compared to some other carbon-plated "super shoes," I appreciate the wider heel on the Carbon X, which allows the foot strike to feel normal at all paces, including walking. 
  • Hoka One One Clifton Edge - Yes, it looks a little different, but it provides a smooth and responsive ride. The upper fits me well. The "tail" does not interfere with my foot strike, and it smooths out the ride on downhills. 


Socks:

  • Drymax Sharman Sock - I've worn these for numerous marathons and ultramarathons and they protect my feet well, even when my feet get soaked on trail runs with multiple stream crossings.
  • XOSKIN 5.0 XOTOES Quarter Crew Toe Sock - Since I primarily run in Altra shoes with a foot-shape toe box, many socks make my smaller toes feel cramped. The XOTOES socks came highly recommended and have not disappointed. I appreciate the independence that each individual toe has, and the socks are comfortable and perform well. 
  • Balega UltraGlide Sock - I really like the comfort and performance of this sock, especially in hot and humid conditions. I ran a marathon PR in the UltraGlide at the 2019 St. Jude Memphis Marathon.
  • Drymax Cold Weather Running Crew Sock - These socks keep my feet warm and dry in sub-freezing temperatures. 


Apparel:

  • Patagonia Strider Pro Running Shorts - Love the pockets for carrying nutrition on longer runs.
  • Brooks Hightail 3" Split Short - Allows freedom of movement when running fast or climbing hills, but more modest than many other split shorts.
  • Brooks Greenlight 9" Short Tight - Really like these when it's in the 30s or 40s.
  • New Balance Heat Grid 1/2 Zip - The material is warm and comfortable. Plus there is a double zipper, from the sternum to the neck, so you have a variety of thermoregulation options. 


Running Accessories:

  • Rudy Project Rydon sunglasses with Photochromic Clear to Black lenses - The light transmission range from 9% (darkest) to 74% (lightest) makes these incredibly versatile. I use a Rudy Project prescription adapter. 
  • UltrAspire Lumen 800 Multisport waist light - I originally purchased this for nighttime use during ultramarathons but also routinely use it for general nighttime running. Comfortable, convenient, and really lights up the ground and surroundings.
  • UltrAspire Alpha 4.0 Race Vest - Very well designed with easy access to pockets even while wearing vest. Comfortable, keeps contents compact, and moves well with my body.
  • Altra Trail Gaiter - These gaiters conveniently velcro to the back of Altra trail shoes and hook at the bottom of the tongue. They are lightweight, breathable, unobtrusive, and do a great job keeping debris out of shoes.
  • Amphipod Trans4m™ Thermal Plus™ Run Glove - I was skeptical when we started stocking these in the store; but, after trying them out, I soon realized they are incredibly practical. Being able to fold back the finger cover allows for effective thermo-regulation. These also layer well on top of another glove to provide wind protection and additional warmth. An incredibly versatile cold weather running accessory.

Cycling

Bikes:

  • 2017 Cannondale CAAD12 Road Bike w/ Shimano Ultegra 8050 Di2 with 52/36 x 11-30 gearing plus sprint shifters and climbing shifters, Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset, Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x25c tires, Fi'zi:k Vento Argo R1 saddle, and Garmin Vector 3 power meter pedals - I bought this bike when I got into cycling in 2017 and have upgraded nearly everything. The frame, fork, crankset, and chainrings are original, but pretty much everything else has been customized. (Mostly lives on the indoor trainer and gets used for events and long road rides.)
  • 2017 Trek Boone 7 Cyclocross Bike w/ SRAM Force CX1 46 x 11-36 gearing, Mavic Allroad Elite UST wheelset, WTB Riddler 700x37c tubeless tires, and Fi'zi:k Vento Argo R3 saddle - Apparently no one wanted to buy rim brake cyclocross bikes in 2017 once disc brakes were becoming ubiquitous. Trek ended up discounting these heavily. I've also customized this bike, and I especially like the simplicity of the 1x drivetrain. (Go-to bike for most outdoor training rides.)
  • 2019 Trek X-Caliber 9 Mountain Bike w/ Fi'zi:k Tempo Argo R3 saddle and Bontrager Line Elite dropper seatpost.


Indoor Training Set-Up:

  • Tacx Neo 2 Smart Trainer
  • Saris MP1 Nfinity Trainer Platform - This makes multi-hour indoor rides so much more comfortable. It also makes getting out of the saddle more realistic.
  • Zwift - Subscribing to Zwift was a game-changer which has made indoor cycling so much more enjoyable.


Cycling Shoes:

  • Fi'zi:k Transiro Infinito R1 Knit shoes for my road bike
  • Fi'zi:k Infinito X1 shoes with SPD cleats for my cyclocross bike and mountain bike


Helmet:

  • Bontrager XXX WaveCel Road Bike Helmet - I strongly recommend getting a helmet with additional anti-rotational protection such as WaveCel, MIPS, or SPIN.


Cycling Accessories:

  • Garmin Varia Rearview Radar - In addition to serving as a taillight, it alerts you that vehicles are approaching from behind. Seeing the alert on the Garmin Edge bike computer provides advance notice of approaching vehicles. This is an additional safety feature that I greatly appreciate when riding on the roads.

Electronics

Fitness Tracking:

  • Garmin Forerunner 945 smartwatch - Almost always on my wrist. Incredible functionality. Exceptional battery life. 
  • Garmin Edge 530 cycling computer - I like that this model relies on buttons and is not a touchscreen. The screens are customizable to your liking. I can control my headlight, taillight, and rearview radar from the bike computer. 


AfterShokz Aeropex bone-conduction wireless headphones - I really appreciate that these don't go in or cover my ears, and that I am able to hear my surroundings while listening to music or podcasts. I routinely wear these while on training runs or while riding the indoor bike trainer. I do not use headphones when I run on the trails or participate in races. I also don't wear headphones when cycling outdoors. 


Theragun Elite - Using this percussion massager after a hard workout or a long day makes my muscles feel a lot better. The travel case is compact and convenient. I initially questioned the usefulness of the Bluetooth and smartphone app, but I have found myself using the guided sessions in the app fairly regularly. 


PEET Dryer - I use the Advantage PEET Heated Shoe and Boot Dryer, and I also use the Glove DryPorts attachment. I was introduced to PEET Dryer by a Scouting friend. It works great to dry out wet or sweaty gear. The glove attachment is multi-functional. After a bike ride, I'll rinse my helmet off in the shower and then sit it on top of the glove attachments. You can do the same thing with hats. A great investment to keep your gear dry and odor-free.

Nutrition

  • Honey Stinger: waffles, protein bars, cracker bars, gels, and chews
  • Nuun: Immunity, Vitamins, Sport, Podium Prime, Podium Recover
  • Spring Energy (15% off coupon)
  • Science in Sport: GO Isotonic Energy Gels and GO Energy Bars
  • Jelly Belly Sport Beans


Strava  Athlinks



Copyright © 2020 Michael Flynn - All Rights Reserved.

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