Free Outside

On today’s episode of the Free Outside Show, I’m joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year’s showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We debate mind games, pacing strategies, why volunteering matters, and why Cocodona is basically ultrarunning’s March Madness. Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandancepartyFollow our sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear Chapters00:00 Introduction to Allison Mercer and Cocodona02:50 The Inaugural Cocodona Experience06:08 Crew Dynamics and Race Strategy08:46 The Evolution of Cocodona and Its Popularity11:59 The Role of Volunteers in Ultra Running14:58 Pacing and the Emotional Journey17:58 The Impact of Weather on Race Performance20:56 The Influence of Social Media and Celebrity Runners23:50 The Future of Cocodona and Its Competitors27:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts46:08 The Evolving Landscape of Ultra Running52:39 Courtney's Dominance and the Competitive Field56:58 Mindset and Strategy in Ultra Racing01:01:55 The Future of Cocodona and Race DynamicsSubscribe 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

On this wild episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Derrick Lytle and into everything Cocodona 250 — from race predictions and course changes to the strength-versus-speed debate heating up in the ultra scene. But first? We take on the internet’s most absurd hypothetical: could 100 men beat a silverback gorilla? (Spoiler: probably not.) We trade predictions on Courtney Dauwalter, Ryan Sandes, Mike McKnight, and more while roasting obstacle racers, dissecting mud strategies, and dreaming up the ultimate post-race media blitz. Expect hot takes, cold-weather prep, and plenty of laughs in this pre-race breakdown of one of the most exciting 200-milers of the year.Check out Derrick's Youtube Channel: @TheJuniperLab Chapters00:00 Introduction and Light Banter03:00 The Gorilla Debate: Humans vs. Nature06:01 Cocodona 250: Anticipation and Excitement08:53 The Impact of the Courtney Effect12:03 Women in Ultra Running: Breaking Barriers15:07 Course Changes and Challenges in Cocodona18:01 Weather and Its Influence on Performance21:01 The Evolution of Ultra Running Competitors23:57 CrossFit vs. High Rocks: A Lighthearted Comparison25:25 Transitioning from CrossFit to Endurance Sports26:26 Mike McKnight's Preparation for Cocodona29:11 The Debate on Strength Training for Runners30:25 DJ Fox: The Obstacle Course Racer's Edge31:47 Predictions for Cocodona 25033:27 Weather and Logistics Impacting Race Performance35:51 The Competitive Landscape of Cocodona 25038:10 Emerging Athletes and Dark Horses40:06 Nutrition Strategies for Ultra Runners42:23 Broadcasting Challenges at Cocodona 250Subscribe 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

On today's episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by outdoor filmmaker Drew Darby, and we cover everything from his unexpected start filming inside prisons to becoming one of the most exciting filmmakers in ultrarunning. We dive into how working in sensitive environments shaped his storytelling, the chaos (and comedy) of filming 100-mile races, and why long-form content is making a comeback. Drew shares his thoughts on building a career in the outdoor film industry, what it’s like to turn passion into a full-time job, and the importance of telling deeper stories beyond the race results. Plus, we brainstorm a "Media Mile" race, swapping cameras instead of trophies. It's an episode packed with filmmaking mishaps, creative advice, and a whole lot of laughs.Follow Drew Darby online: https://www.instagram.com/drewbdarbyChapters00:00 From Prisons to Filmmaking: Drew's Unique Journey04:35 The Intersection of Politics and Filmmaking09:06 Short Form vs Long Form: The Filmmaker's Dilemma17:27 The Pressure of Timely Storytelling21:53 Navigating Brand Relationships in Filmmaking28:58 Transitioning to Ultra Sports Filmmaking38:35 Overcoming Physical Limitations39:30 Transitioning to Freelance Filmmaking42:12 Navigating Brand Collaborations44:09 Life Beyond Filmmaking47:18 The Challenges of Travel49:26 Filmmaker Nightmare Stories53:39 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers01:01:25 The Importance of Storytelling in FilmmakingSubscribe 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 sit down with Doc, the voice behind Hiker Trash Radio—a podcast that’s interviewed over 450 adventurers from thru-hikers to Barkley Marathons legends. We dive deep into Doc’s wild behind-the-scenes experience covering the 2024 Barkley Marathons as a first-time invited media member. From nearly camping in the wrong forest to building trust at the Yellow Gate, he shares how he captured the stories of runners, crews, and chaos at one of the world’s most mysterious races.Check out the Barkley Marathons Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=88778974ca8d44f4We talk about John Kelly’s fun run finish, the brutal new Ball Bearing Hill, and the unglamorous truth about nap-induced DNFs. Plus, we explore the evolution of Hiker Trash Radio, the art of giving trail names, and why Doc’s doctorate turned into a trail moniker.Check out Hiker Trash Radio YouTube: ⁨@hikertrashradio⁩ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gvi6HyY4wdQ7u8wWdSnkx?si=db514a5572e34e34Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikertrashradioWhether you love the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or just thrive on tales of ultrarunning pain and perseverance, this one’s got something for every dirtbag dreamer.support our sponsors:Janji.comGarageGrownGear.comCsinstant.coffeeChapters00:00 Introduction to the Barkley Marathons02:48 Doc's Journey to Cover the Barkley06:07 The Anticipation of Race Day08:49 Interviews and Insights from Runners11:53 The Race Begins: Expectations vs. Reality15:01 The Challenges of the Barkley Course17:58 The Atmosphere During the Race20:57 Reflections on the Race Experience24:04 The Aftermath: No Finishers This Year30:57 The Final Moments of the Race32:01 Reflections on Race Difficulty33:30 Media Coverage and Content Creation36:01 The Evolution of the Podcast37:48 The Journey into Backpacking46:00 Trail Names and Their Stories51:01 The Magic of Thru-Hiking55:16 Exploring Adventure StoriesSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

I sit down with Tim and Renee—better known as Simply the ⁨@reneeandtim⁩ . These two have thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and Continental Divide Trail (CDT), set a Fastest Known Time (FKT), and built a massive online audience with their content on backpacking, ultrarunning, and dehydrated trail meals.Follow the Thru Hikers on the internetInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thruhikers/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thruhikers?Website: https://thruhikers.co/We talk about their full-time careers in plant genetics and engineering to outdoor influencers, the pressure of going viral on TikTok, and what it’s like filming content while hiking thousands of miles. Renee shares the story behind her self-supported Oregon FKT and how spreadsheets, heatwaves, and stubborn fire seasons played a role.Check out The Barkley Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=cb96d5bf10ca48f3Support our sponsors Janji.com, Garagegrowngear.com and Csinstant.coffeePlus, we dive into:-The realities of turning hiking into a career-Dehydrated food experiments gone wrong (bibimbap, we’re looking at you)Trail name origins ("Blue Man" and "Sausage")-How to prep for your first long-distance hike (spoiler: you don’t need to be an expert)-Their book combining backpacking recipes and advice-And why trail running has become their go-to between big hikesThis episode is perfect for aspiring thru-hikers, FKT nerds, trail chefs, and anyone wondering how to turn a love of the outdoors into a lifestyle.Chapters00:00 Adventuring with an Audience03:06 Balancing Careers and Adventures05:59 The Journey to FKTs09:00 The Transition to Ultra Running11:56 Navigating Social Media Growth15:04 The Process of Writing a Book34:51 The Journey of Publishing a Book36:44 Wildlife Encounters and Adventure Stories41:05 The Art of Dehydrating Food for Hiking50:29 Preparing for a Thru-Hike Adventure55:40 Trail Names and Their StoriesSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comKeywordsThruhiking, Ultra Running, FKT, Adventure, Social Media, Content Creation, Hiking, Outdoor Activities, Balancing Work and Adventure, Recipe Book, hiking, adventure, wildlife encounters, thru-hiking, book publishing, dehydrating food, trail names, outdoor stories, FKT, hiking tips

I sit down with Peter Mortimer, the champion of the inaugural Arizona Monster 300-miler. Just hours after finishing, Pete was back at work—because ultrarunning is expensive and PTO is a myth. We talk about his strategy for managing sleep, how he trains for 200+ mile races, and what it’s like to hallucinate a jaguar that turns out to be an actual cow.Follow Pete Mortimer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjmortimer/We also dive into Pete’s “finish it once” race mentality, his plans to take on the Triple Crown of 200s, and his alter ego as a culinary legend known as Pete’s Meats, feeding hallucinating runners brisket on mountain summits. Plus, the ridiculous story of how we first met—at the Barkley Marathons, where Pete forgot his bib number and everything went sideways from there.Support us by supporting our sponsors: Janji: Janji.comGarage Grown Gear: GarageGrownGear.comCS Coffee: Csinstant.coffeeIf you like stories of long-distance suffering, sleep deprivation, racing horses at Man Against Horse, and the sheer absurdity of ultra culture, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Arizona Monster03:06 Experiencing the Arizona Trail06:01 Race Strategy and Pacing08:51 Training for the 300-Mile Challenge12:03 Mental Challenges During the Race15:02 Post-Race Reflections and Future Plans24:41 The Barkley Marathons Experience29:04 Cocadona Training and Connections31:30 Pete's Meats and Community Engagement36:11 Philosophy of Racing and Travel38:57 Unique Racing Experiences: Man Against Horse42:54 Eight More Miles Coaching PhilosophyKeywordsArizona Monster, ultra running, endurance races, race strategy, training, mental challenges, Peter Mortimer, Jeff Garmire, 300-mile race, pacing, Barkley Marathons, Cocadona, ultra running, Pete's Meats, community, racing philosophy, Man Against Horse, coaching, endurance sports, running experiences

I’m recording live (well, semi-live) while running through mossy, Jurassic Park-like trails outside Portland. Just minutes in, I round a corner and meet a man with a blood-covered hand telling me someone stabbed his dog with a switchblade. So naturally... I kept running.Support our sponsors, janji.com, garagegrowngear.com, and Csinstant.coffeeIn this chaotic on-foot monologue, I dive into the Gorge Waterfalls 100K, which just happened to be the USA Trail Team selection race for the Mountain Ultra Trail World Championships. I talk through the carnage (the race kind), recap the course records smashed by Adam Peterman, Shea Aquilano, and others, and reflect on how trail running might be entering a new competitive era.Then, I join up with Derek Lytle post-race to break it all down: the athletes, the coverage, the waterfalls, and the fact that every race we've filmed has somehow produced course records. Coincidence? Probably. But we’re claiming it anyway.Also... there's a very old cat named Blackberry.Chapters00:00 A Run Through the Unexpected03:03 Trail Running Championships and Team USA05:50 Gorge Waterfalls Race Recap09:01 Record-Breaking Performances11:56 Looking Ahead: Future Races and CompetitionsSubscribe 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.comKeywordstrail running, Gorge Waterfalls, USA Trail Team, championships, record-breaking, running safety, outdoor adventures, race recap, competitive running, athlete insights

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I talk with Connor “Jackrabbit” Chapdelaine, who’s attempting the Calendar Year Triple Crown—thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail all in a single year. We break down how the idea got planted during a hike on the AT, what it takes to train for 8,000 miles, and why he’s bringing a pillow, a stove, and maybe even a thermos.Follow Connor/Jackrabbit online: https://www.instagram.com/JackrabbitHikes/Connor shares his strategy for navigating snow in the Sierra, reroutes on the PCT, and fires on the CDT—plus his plan to survive town stops without spending his entire budget. We also get into ultralight gear hacks, and his favorite trail meals. Connor breaks down his food tier list (spoiler: mushroom Knorr = trail exile) and how his dad is helping run the back-end logistics with a label maker and full “dad command center.”Support us by supporting our sponsors: CS Coffee: https://www.csinstant.coffee/Janji: https://janji.com/Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/If you’ve ever been curious about the logistics, gear, food, and mindset needed to thru-hike the PCT, CDT, and AT in one year, this episode is packed with real insight and ridiculous stories—including tuna and peanut butter wraps, dry-scooped coffee, and a thru-hiker potluck that no one asked for.Chapters04:00 The Aspiration of the Calendar Year Triple Crown10:30 Overcoming Obstacles in the Journey13:51 Planning and Timing for Success19:25 Budgeting for the Adventure24:20 Family Support and Logistics25:12 Training for High Mileage31:29 Food Choices on the Trail37:58 The Quirks of Trail Humor38:51 Trail Food Favorites and Disasters40:56 Resupply Strategies and Bargain Finds41:59 The Art of Coffee on the Trail43:46 The Triple Crown Experience45:38 Friendships Formed on the Trail47:59 The Emotional Connection to Hiking50:04 Gear Essentials for Long Trails56:14 The Importance of Comfort Items59:34 Post-Hike Plans and Future Goals01:05:15 Memorable Trail Names and Their StoriesSubscribe 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 sit down with pro ultrarunner Alyssa Clark to talk about racing at the highest level, dealing with self-worth and performance, and why hallucinating pandas might be a sign you're doing something right.Follow Alyssa online:Substack: https://substack.com/@alyssaclark3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theory_in_motion/Alyssa just won the legendary Hurt 100 and holds the Supported FKT on the Pinhoti Trail, but her journey to the top has been anything but easy. We dive into her start in ultras (skipping the marathon entirely), the challenges of racing in Europe, the reality of going pro, and the game-changing impact of working with a mental coach.We also get into the weeds on topics like hydration strategy, sleep deprivation, why pacers and crew can be tricky, and how Strava sometimes kills the vibe. Alyssa opens up about running 95 marathons in 95 days, starting her Substack "Theorizing in Motion," and building a life around motion—both literally and creatively.Support our Sponsors: CS Coffee: https://www.csinstant.coffee/Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/Janji: https://janji.com/Whether you're into 200 milers, mental performance, or just love hearing real talk from someone who’s been through the highs and lows of this sport, this one's packed with insight, humor, and straight-up honesty.🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, I dive into the recent controversy surrounding the Arizona Monster trail race, where a failed live stream led to a very public clash between the race director and the live stream operator. I break down what happened, explore how social media amplified the drama, and share some thoughts on how these kinds of disputes can be handled more constructively. Along the way, I also talk about what I’ve been learning in my recent training camp and reflect on the importance of keeping conflict resolution behind the scenes whenever possible—for the good of the sport and the people involved.Support our sponsors:-www.janji.com-www.garagegrowngear.com-https://www.csinstant.coffee/Sound Bites"We sprain news, we don't break it.""This is going to be a tricky subject.""Stay elite, my friends."Chapters00:00 The Arizona Monster Controversy04:37 Social Media Warfare in Trail Running09:22 Escalation of the Dispute11:43 Lessons Learned from the Drama12:32 Upcoming Events and Personal UpdatesKeywordsArizona Monster, trail running, social media, live stream, controversy, public disputes, race director, live streaming, community, drama