This week we came upon a great triathlon image by Wagner Araújo that made it into a National Geographic book, a safer body marking pen by Sport Safe Markers, the new savory Clif Shot gels, the just opened Endurance Conspiracy store in Boulder, CO and a delicious European candy bar.

A stunning Wagner Araújo image

Wagner Araújo of Brazilian MundoTri fame had one of his images selected as the 2013 National Geographic travel photo contest winner, and now this image has made it into the Stunning Photographs National Geographic book by Annie Griffiths. That is clearly a great honor for Wagner, but this is in general a good thing for the sport when it is seen by folks who otherwise might not have any interest in triathlon. The image itself was taken during the Brazilian Aquathlon Championships in Manaus, and the swim took place in the Rio Negro. This river as its name suggests has a very dark appearance and that shows off the white spray of the junior athletes storming into the water. We love it too.

The image was featured on a 2-page spread inside this National Geographic Stunning Photographs book by Annie Griffiths.

SportSafe body markers

We usually do not wonder about the ingredients of the body marking pens on race mornings in transition, but maybe we should. According to Rob Craig of SportSafe markers "the most commonly used markers in tri and other sports can contain toxic industrial chemicals. For example Sharpie King and Magnum contain xylene which affects the nervous system and organs and is ingested both by breathing the fumes (especially among marking station staff) as well as absorption through the skin." SportSafe markers have FDA compliant cosmetic ingredients and are also water proof. They can be removed with soap and water, hand sanitizer or sanitary wipes. The Chicago Tri and the Philly Tri have apparently used them, and maybe it is time for you to push for stuff like this at your race.
Colors: Various
MSRP: $7.99

Clif Pizza Margherita

Clif Bar launched several savory flavors at the recent Outdoor Retailer show, and Pizza Margherita is one of those new flavors. I personally haven't had one of these in my hands, or better said, not yet in my mouth, but word has it that it tastes a bit like tomato sauce. Other savory options from Clif are Sweet Potato with Sea Salt, and Banana Beet with Ginger. So what sounds like your savory favorite? The European Squeezy brand already offered a tomato gel in 2010, and still offers it today, so it can't be that unacceptable.
MSRP: n/a

Endurance Conspiracy store in Boulder

Yesterday the Endurance Conspiracy crew quietly opened their new retail store on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. According to founder Tony DeBoom, final touches are still being applied to the store, but customers are very much welcome to stop buy, peruse the goods and of course buy stuff. This new place serves of course mainly as a retail outlet, but also functions as a workshop and showroom. So stop by and say hello when you are in that part of Colorado.
MSRP: priceless

Duplo candy bar

Let me just say this, the very first time you try one of these Ferrero Duplo chocolate and hazlenuts wafers you will no longer be able to enjoy a KitKat bar. KitKat is actually not even in the league of this amazing Duplo treat, but for a basic and simple analogy it will have to do. Duplo is very common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, but is relatively rare in the USA. I usually bring a few of these 10-packs back when returning from Europe, but they can be had here in the USA too. You just have to look for them hard, or order them from a place such as World Market or similar. They however can be quite expensive here, but they are worth it.
MSRP: $13.98 (set of 2 10-packs) at World Market