Big Bend National Park Adventures, Ultra Training, Backpacking, and My 2025 Plans

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m sharing all about my recent trip to Big Bend National Park—a week packed with hiking, backpacking, and adventure. From spotting javelinas to scrambling up Emory Peak at sunset, I dive into how this trip fits into my training for FKTs and ultra races like the Cocodona 250 and Big Horn 100.

patreon.com/freeoutside I also break down my plans for 2025, including a self-supported southbound Appalachian Trail FKT attempt and exciting interviews I’ve lined up with top athletes, calendar year Triple Crowners, and more. Along the way, I talk gear tips, training insights, and even some funny moments about ghost towns, dehydrated meals, and my love for rocks. 🌟 Highlights: Why Big Bend is the perfect off-the-grid training ground Power hiking and training for long ultras My upcoming race plans: Cocodona 250, Big Horn 100, and "secret races" How You Can Support the Podcast: Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple and Spotify Check out my new Substack for weekly updates: www.FreeOutside.Substack.com I’ve got lots of exciting adventures coming up, so stick around for weekly updates and interviews. Thanks for listening, and stay elite, my friends! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ultra Running and Upcoming Races 05:53 The Big Bend Adventure Begins 11:14 Exploring Big Bend: Trails and Wildlife 17:00 Campsite Experiences and Cooking Adventures 23:55 Final Thoughts on Big Bend and Future Plans