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Allison Mercer drops a one-month-in “ins and outs of 2026” list that should be printed and taped to every smartphone: ranting to your phone is out, solutions and actual dialogue are in. From the chaos of Burrito League to the hype of the Millrose Games, we bounce between weather-whiplash field reporting, race-culture grievances (selfie sticks, pacers, entitlement), and a very biased Black Canyon 100K preview with picks, storylines, and the important reminder that community is built by showing up, not shouting into the void.Chapters00:00 2026: A Year of Change and Observations02:43 Ranting vs. Solutions: A New Approach05:32 Weather Woes: A Running Perspective07:23 Running Czar: Changes in the Race World10:18 Behind the Scenes: Understanding Race Logistics11:49 Personal Achievements: Racing Stories and Reflections15:12 Bucket List Dreams: Olympic Aspirations17:55 Community Engagement: The Burrito League Experience21:44 Milrose Games: Indoor Track Insights32:54 Racing Dynamics and Athlete Strategies38:54 Emerging Talents and Competitive Landscape43:52 Youth in Sports: Pressure and Performance45:38 The Impact of Betting on Professional Sports49:54 Trail Running: Anticipation for Black Canyon58:00 Golden Ticket Races: Opportunities and Challenges01:03:48 Women's Race Preview: Anticipation and Insights01:06:31 Key Athletes to Watch: Molly Seidel and Tara Dower01:09:37 Emerging Talents: Jade and Shai's Breakout Potential01:14:11 Race Strategies and Turnarounds: Caitriona Jennings and Others01:18:54 Marathoners Transitioning to Ultra: Des Linden's Debut01:23:42 Strava Insights: The New Age of Training Analysis01:26:42 Final Thoughts: Predictions and Weekend HighlightsSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Ben Dhiman has one of the best names in the sport, and he actually earned it. We talk nicknames, alter egos, and the wild cat energy he taps into when racing, then rewind to the thru hiking years that shaped his brain, his grit, and his need to keep pushing the edge. From the AT and CDT to the Hayduke and a full-on Himalayan mission in Nepal, Ben explains why big adventures can be both glorious and miserable, and why thru hiking can “ruin you” in the best and worst ways.Then we follow the pivot into trail running, pacing Hardrock almost by accident, showing up to races undertrained on hiking fitness and stubborn confidence, and eventually forcing the door down in Europe the old-school way, by racing hard and winning. We also get into family, balancing ambition with real life, his coaching philosophy, and why he treats winter as an off season where the work goes up and the pounding goes down.Chapters00:00 The Origins of the 'Demon' Nickname05:34 Mental Clarity Through Hiking08:25 The Impact of Thru-Hiking on Personal Growth11:38 Transitioning to Trail Running14:37 The Journey to Becoming a Competitive Runner17:34 Navigating the World of Sponsorships20:25 Racing in Europe vs. America23:23 The Challenge of Proving Oneself26:16 The Evolution of Thru-Hiking Experiences30:49 Navigating the Wilderness: From Maps to Experience33:18 The Call of the Himalayas: Planning the Adventure35:06 Challenges in the Himalayas: Red Tape and Realities37:58 Surviving the Elements: A Tale of Perseverance41:43 The Role of Guides: Navigating Culture and Communication43:24 Resupply Strategies: Making the Most of Local Resources45:29 Reflections on Thru-Hiking: Contentment and Progression49:35 Shifting Focus: From Thru-Hiking to Ultra Running56:22 The Addictive Nature of Adventure: Community vs. Solitude56:53 The Community of Thru-Hiking01:00:28 Mental States in Long-Distance Hiking01:05:57 The Dynamics of Team vs. Solo Hiking01:12:37 Coaching and Evolving as an Athlete01:19:05 Skiing as a Complement to Running01:20:56 The Journey of Thru-Hiking and Ultra Running01:21:28 Living Abroad and Competitive Spirit in SportsSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

A candid take on performative outrage and the gap between talk and real work. The conversation explores how trails reveal true effort and the unseen preparation behind big feats. It urges turning anger into local, steady action and highlights the quiet work of community builders. The core idea: consistent, patient effort outlasts bursts of intensity.

Krista Houston, a Triple Crown thru‑hiker and endurance addict who’s lived out of vehicles and walked across Europe. She recounts the infamous double Tahoe Rim Trail loop, surprising travel pivots from biking to hiking, wild trail moments like a scary Kom‑Emine night and bear encounters, and the shift from long hikes to ultras and life after big goals.

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by Coleman Cragun, the winner of the Jeffrey Derrick Lytle Award, which is an honor with a proud tradition and a clear meaning (none of that is true). Coleman is an up and coming trail talent with the most relaxed confidence imaginable, and a nickname that may or may not stick: The Kraken.We get into Coleman’s origin story, including the moment he saw the Southern Utah University team running tempos, held the gap, and decided, “I can do this.” From there it became a yearlong grind: emailing the coach for qualifying times, self-coaching off podcasts, and then his mom stepping in to find him a coach in Cedar City. That coach was Hayden Hawks, which Coleman somehow did not realize was a big deal at the time. Hayden helped him hit the marks, showed up with a stopwatch, and even emailed proof to the coach. Coleman walked on ready to travel, compete, and immediately level up his goals.Then we bounce into the trail side: why the mountains pulled him in, the summer of living on trails in places like the Sawtooths, chasing Strava crowns, and eventually committing fully to the sport. Coleman breaks down the biggest transition from college running to ultras (fitness matters, but nutrition, pacing, and durability decide everything), tells stories from racing and training in Thailand with Hayden (including a fall that cost him the win), and talks through the nerves and excitement of stepping up to the 100K at Black Canyon with golden ticket dreams.We also cover what the grind actually looks like when you have a full-time job, a long commute, double runs, and no time to eat like a normal human. Plus, the most unhinged training environment imaginable: working at a fishing lodge in Alaska and running ten miles at 11 pm on a dock where 20 laps equals one mile, until one night he found bears at the turnaround and ended up sleeping in a boat in the rain.It’s a fun one, and Coleman is the real deal. If you like stories about earning it the hard way, learning the trail game, and chasing big goals without taking yourself too seriously, you’ll like this episode.Follow Coleman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleman_cragun/Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Comedic impressionist Dylisms is here. He has LOUDLY become one of the funniest voices in trail running by doing spot-on (and occasionally unhinged) impressions of the sport we all take way too seriously.We get into how he makes viral running videos using nothing but his phone, his car, and pure chaos, why he waited to run an ultra before posting running content, and how trail running compares to climbing, skating, and just… exercising for a really long time. Along the way, he drops impressions of commentators, influencers, philosophers, cops, firefighters, and anyone else who’s wandered into the ultrarunning cinematic universe.We also talk about award season absurdity, influencer culture, $200 shirts with holes in them, farting during ultras, and whether trail running is actually a sport or just very committed cardio. This one goes fully off the rails in the best way.If you’ve ever thought “we might be taking this a little too seriously,” this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dylisms and Impressions05:04 The Art of Voiceovers and Equipment Setup07:56 Favorite Impressions and Character Exploration10:51 Challenges in Impersonation and Method Acting13:39 Transitioning from Climbing to Running Content16:47 Community Reception and Content Creation Process19:55 Humor in Running and Climbing Culture22:46 Reflections on Storylines in Trail Running24:43 Trail Running: A Selfish Pursuit26:56 The Evolution of Running Culture29:36 Moth Tech and Running Fashion32:22 Impersonations and Humor in the Sport36:51 The Seriousness of Ultra Running40:56 Universal Basic Gel Allowance41:45 Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

I’m back with Allison Mercer, my correspondent on everything, and we start with the most important news of the week: I apparently lost another award, and I am not interested in being reminded about 2025 when we are already deep into 2026.From there we get into World Cross Country Championships, which somehow had a full Florida theme including obstacle chaos, heat, and a crowd that sounded like 10,000 people yelling nonstop. We talk about what made the broadcast work, why team scoring makes the whole field matter, and why cross country in the Winter Olympics would be the best kind of mess.Then we pivot to the trail world heating up early, with Olympians popping over to trails, Burrito League spreading like a virus, and the golden ticket chase being the kind of storyline we actually want more of. We end with ideas for how running media can get better fast: less six-month pre-race content, more post-race coverage, more crew perspective, and please, for the love of everything, mic people up.If you want the sport to be more fun, more human, and more watchable, this is the blueprint. Or at least a rant disguised as a blueprint.Chapters00:00 The Award Dilemma and New Beginnings08:02 World Cross Country Championships: A Florida Experience11:03 The Evolution of Cross Country Broadcasting14:10 The Future of Cross Country in the Olympics17:00 Trail Running: New Faces and Fresh Perspectives20:11 The Shift from Road to Trail Running23:37 The Burrito League Phenomenon26:26 Molly Seidel's Transition to Ultra Running29:38 The Importance of Community in Running32:26 Future Trends in Endurance Sports36:48 Exciting Developments in Running Events38:21 Training for the 100K Championship Team39:59 Planning for Success in Ultra Running42:05 Exploring Potential in Ultra Running44:32 The Future of Trail Running Events48:10 Humanizing Athletes in the Sport53:11 Innovative Coverage in Trail Running54:14 The Roach Approach and Its Impact58:06 Post-Race Coverage and Athlete ReflectionsSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

The Free Outside Show is back for the new year, and I’m joined by our correspondent on everything, Allison Mercer. We’re doing the exact opposite of the usual “five months from now” preview content that other podcasts are doing, and instead talking about what’s actually happening this weekend: Bandera (with Molly Seidel), Houston Marathon for the OTQ watch, and why you should care about World Cross Country in Tallahassee (yes, it’s watchable on Peacock, yes, team tactics make it way more fun than you think, and yes, there are statue alligators on the course).From there, we get into the real chaos: Burrito League expansion, why it works as an “anyone can play” running challenge, and how these community-wide games can be more accessible than the typical big-race ecosystem. Then we go full rant mode on year-end lists, award season fatigue, media bias, and why FKT stories often get misunderstood or flattened by outlets that do not actually live in that world. We also touch on sponsorship transparency, influencer economics, West Coast bias, and why the sport would be better off funding real coverage of barrier-breaking performances instead of paying for interchangeable promo codes. New year, same old us. Racing is back, and we have thoughts.Chapters00:00 Racing Resumes: Exciting Events Ahead05:30 The Thrill of Cross Country Championships08:38 Understanding Cross Country Scoring and Team Dynamics10:46 The Burrito League: A Unique Running Challenge13:42 The Influence of Social Media on Running Culture16:43 The Bias in Trail Running Media and Awards19:49 The Importance of FKTs in the Running Community22:40 The East vs. West Coast Debate in Trail Running25:48 The Shift in Sponsorships and Influencer Culture28:43 The Future of Trail Running Events and Coverage31:44 World Championships and the Impact of Air Quality35:34 Looking Ahead: Goals for 2026Support our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSawyer Products: https://sawyerdirect.net/collections/stay-put-sunblock#RunningMedia #trailrunning #ultrarunning #runningpodcast #WorldCrossCountry #crosscountryrunning #BurritoLeague #fkt #runningcommunity #sportsmedia Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Endurance sports give me structure when life feels chaotic. Miles are measurable. Effort makes sense. Pain feels productive. For a while, that clarity can feel like purpose.In this episode, I zoom out on the uncomfortable truth that endurance sports have limits. The miles don’t fix self-worth, resolve identity, or heal everything we try to bury under training. I talk about what happens when the goal stops working, not because of injury or burnout, but because motivation quietly expires. Through stories from the Calendar Year Triple Crown, the Great Western Loop, and learning to slow down, this is an honest look at why I chase big goals and how I’m trying to keep doing hard things for the right reasons.Sponsors: Sawyer, Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Instant Coffee.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://www.sawyer.com/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abChapters00:00 The Journey into Endurance Sports02:58 Understanding Motivation and Its Limits12:01 The Role of Endurance Sports in Self-Discovery18:43 Finding Meaning Beyond Goals26:12 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future DirectionsSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

I didn’t expect to win FKT of the Year for the Appalachian Trail, but here we are.This video is not about splits, miles per day, or how fast the record was. It’s about the decade-long path that led to it. From leaving college in 2011 and discovering thru-hiking, to years of chasing adventure while trying to fit into a traditional career, to hitting some of the lowest points of my life, including suicidal depression, and finding my way back through the outdoors.The Appalachian Trail has been a thread running through my entire adult life. The structure of long days, defined goals, resupply points, and moving forward one step at a time makes sense to my brain in a way the outside world often doesn’t. Trails gave me a place to belong when I didn’t feel like I fit anywhere else.I also talk honestly about 2020, canceled plans, working at a grocery store, feeling like a failure, and how nothing about this journey was overnight. Just chipping away, year after year, at something I loved, even when it felt impossible.We also raised over $43,000 for the Trevor Project during this FKT. That mattered more to me than any award. It was proof that people care, that kindness is real, and that we all belong, even when things feel loud, divided, or overwhelming.This is a reflection on why the doing matters more than the accomplishment, why praise is hard for me to sit with, and why I believe if you truly love something, you’re willing to keep showing up for it, regardless of the outcome.Thank you to everyone who supported this journey, donated, followed along, and showed kindness.Sponsors and supporters:SawyerJanjiGarage Grown GearCS CoffeeReadyWiseMount to coastAs always, we can all be our own version of elite.Stay elite, my friends.Support our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside