I was on the ground at Javelina while Allison rode shotgun in the live chat, and—wow—what a day. Will Murray put on the most nondescript masterclass you’ll ever see: smooth, steady, course record, golden ticket. David Roche held on for second, then surprised everyone by declining his ticket, which handed Canyon Woodward his shot after a blazing late charge. On the women’s side, my AT-record pal Tara Dower absolutely torched the course record by over 30 minutes, while eligibility rules behind her shaped a wild golden-ticket battle. We break down why times were so fast (cooler temps, NASCAR-level aid stations, dialed cooling, and, yes, the shoe game) and the new reality of wall-to-wall coverage—mountain bikes, lights and all. Plus: Molly Seidel aiming for a Black Canyon ticket, the latest doping headlines and what they mean for our sport, and a quick look ahead to Tunnel Hill, JFK, and silly-season sponsorships. East vs. West banter included—and, yes, I recorded this on my birthday.

Chapters

00:00 Recap of Javelina Jundrid Highlights

02:50 Course Records and Performance Analysis

05:59 The Rise of Will Murray

08:52 Canyon's Impressive Finish and Team Dynamics

11:56 The Impact of Weather and Race Strategy

15:04 Tara's Record-Breaking Performance

17:54 Doping Controversies in Running

20:53 Molly Seidel's Transition to Trail Running

23:55 Looking Ahead: Future Races and Trends

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

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Technology has crept into every corner of our sport—from GPS watches to real-time tracking to social media validation. In this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with Luke McCrae, the creator of Corsa, a site that tracked my Appalachian Trail FKT attempt (with a one-day safety delay).

We dive into the rise of tech in FKTs and outdoor adventures—where it helps, where it hurts, and how far is too far. Does tracking make our experiences richer or just more public? Are we still chasing the same spirit of adventure when our dots move live on a map?

It’s a deep, funny, and thought-provoking conversation about innovation, community, and the balance between authentic adventure and algorithmic obsession.

Chapters

00:00 From Camping to Ultra Running: Luke's Journey

02:29 The Intersection of Technology and Outdoor Adventures

05:13 Corsa: Enhancing the Spectator Experience

08:05 Creating Community Through Technology

10:37 The Future of Ultra Running and Technology

13:21 Strava's Challenges and the Shift in Platforms

20:29 The Power of Sharing Experiences

25:25 Technology and Community in Thru-Hiking

30:43 Personal Transformation Through Hiking

36:07 Comparing Thru-Hiking and Ultra-Running

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

One month after setting the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT, I’m in a strange place—floating between accomplishment and uncertainty. This episode isn’t about miles or records; it’s about what happens after.

I talk openly about trying to find purpose once the goal is over—navigating sponsorships, self-worth, and the emotional fallout of chasing something so all-consuming. The trail stripped everything away, forcing me to feel emotions raw and real—anger, joy, sadness, pride—and now I’m learning how to carry those lessons into real life.

It’s honest, messy, and probably a little too relatable. If you’ve ever finished something big and thought, now what?, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Post-Trail Uncertainty

02:58 Emotional Processing on the Trail

05:51 The Importance of Internal Validation

09:09 Carrying Forward Emotional Lessons

12:02 Finding Direction Amidst Chaos

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

It’s that magical time of year again — pumpkin spice, golden tickets, and glitter on the desert trails. In this episode, Me and Allison Mercer break down the 2025 Javelina 100, the first Western States qualifier of the season, featuring names like Tara Dower, David Roche, Devon Yanko, Rajpaul Pannu, and Lauren Puretz.

We also dive into Courtney Dauwalter’s decision to run another marathon — this time at CIM — and debate whether she’s training for Cocodona redemption or just chasing the road racing rush. Expect plenty of hot takes, costume ideas, and “expert” predictions on who will snag those golden tickets.

Chapters

00:00 Marathon Madness: The Allure of Speed

03:44 The Javelina 100: A Race to Remember

09:28 Trail Running Trends: The Evolving Landscape

14:45 The Golden Ticket: Who Will Qualify?

20:24 The FKT Debate: Unsupported vs. Self-Supported

28:00 Sports Superstitions: The Fan Experience

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

I’m joined by Katie “Wildy” Brown—former Arizona Trail self-supported record holder and fresh off the Millwood 100, a 102-mile Wasatch linkup with ~37,000 feet of vert designed by Jared Campbell. We break down what Millwood actually is (route, not race), why she started at night, when the wheels got wobbly on night two, and how crew and pacers changed the game. Katie talks RUFA, Salt Lake’s inversion (and why you literally run through it), and lessons from the mostly self-supported Plains 100—moon dust, SAR checkpoints, and an asthma scare at mile 100. We get into toughness vs. speed, route finding with cliff-band consequences, French-fry aid, ER-nurse night shifts, trail names (Wildy!), and why the Wasatch keeps calling her back.

Check out Millwood 100: https://runuphill.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/millwood-100-official-page/

Follow Katie Brown: https://www.instagram.com/kaytebrown

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Millwood 100 Adventure

08:18 The Journey of Preparation and Planning

13:56 The Role of Support and Pacers

19:54 Mental Resilience and Overcoming Challenges

25:56 Reflections on Toughness and Personal Growth

31:42 The Joy of Companionship in Racing

37:05 Innovative Race Concepts

45:53 Running Up for Air: A Unique Initiative

50:56 Life Beyond Mormonism: A Personal Journey

After 45 days of hiking, hobbling, and setting a new Appalachian Trail self-supported record, I’m back—barely running, barely sleeping, and somehow still full of opinions. In this episode of the Free Outside Show, I break down the Chicago Marathon broadcast (and the glorious chaos of local news), talk about rebuilding a body that forgot what running is, and share the weird post-FKT side effects—from Christmas toes to an over-eager bladder.

I cover what it means to start over, why my calves hate me, and how patience might just be the secret to my next comeback. Plus, a few updates: future FKTs, Javelina Jundrid plans, and why the Janji kit I wore for 2,200 miles is headed for shrine status.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chicago Marathon

05:52 Post-Marathon Reflections and Body Changes

11:40 Future Plans and Rebuilding Phase

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

It’s a full plate this week on The Free Outside Show. I’m diving into Terminus Season—that bittersweet time when thru-hikers take the photo, post it, and wonder what’s next. Then we get into Trail TMZ, where a defamation lawsuit is brewing, and I try not to get sued for talking about it.

From there, we climb the philosophical peaks of Richard Feynman, Christopher McCandless, and Killian Jornet, somehow connecting it all back to neuromas, the UTMB money machine, and why you should just do the thing—even if nobody understands it.

There’s science (a running study that might change how you train), there’s gossip (Wikipedia wars are back), and there’s reflection (because post-trail life is weird).

As always—stay mid-America, stay elite, and remember: nothing matters, but also everything does.

support our sponsors:

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janji.com

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Chapters

00:00 Observations on Social Interactions

02:36 Navigating Post-Adventure Challenges

05:44 The Dynamics of Ultra Running Events

08:29 Understanding Terminus Season and Post-Trail Transition

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Fresh off my self-supported AT record, I sit down with 2013 AT self-supported FKT holder Matt Kirk to talk about the weird gravity of post-trail depression, the long arc of the record from Ward Leonard to Stringbean to Tara, and where the line is with tech, tracking, and “help” on a self-supported effort. We dig into calories gone wrong (why 3,500/day failed), Shenandoah as a quiet crux, trail magic ethics, and why simplicity might be the best rule we have left. Matt shares the origin story of SCAR, naming it, and—plot twist—how he met his wife on the AT. I share some nuts and bolts from my run (18 mail drops, ~12 power banks, and way too much battery anxiety), and we both argue for screen-free campfire vibes and keeping the culture alive while the times keep dropping.

If you’re into FKTs, thru-hiking history, or just need a blueprint for surviving the “now what?” after a big goal, this one’s for you.

Check out Matt Kirk online:

His Blog: https://matthewkirk.blogspot.com/

His Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrGFci8u_goKfnP8PqkaLA

Donate to the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6530749

Chapters

00:00 Post-Hike Transition and Emotional Challenges

02:40 Caloric Miscalculations and Preparation for FKT

05:31 Evolution of FKT Records and Technological Advances

08:21 The Impact of Previous Record Holders

10:48 Guidelines for Self-Supported Hiking

13:28 Documenting the Journey: Technology and Tracking

16:21 The Balance of Simplicity and Validation in Records

19:02 Reflections on the Future of FKT Attempts

27:13 Navigating Resupply Challenges

32:58 Mental Strategies for Endurance

37:13 The Importance of Reflection

41:06 Journey into Ultrarunning and FKTs

51:09 The Cost of Technology in Hiking

54:15 Navigating Technology and Safety on the Trail

56:42 The Impact of Technology on Hiking Culture

01:00:18 The Balance of Trail Magic and Self-Sufficiency

01:05:01 Personal Stories: Meeting on the Trail

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside