This week is a little different.

We catch up on everything happening in the trail running world, from Greybeard's incredible Appalachian Trail attempt and the latest Pacific Crest Trail FKT chase to Josh Kerr's mile world record, Hardrock discussion, and why America's public lands matter so much.

Then we shift gears into something I've wanted to share for a while: my favorite hitchhiking stories from my month in Europe. From tiny Corsican villages and mountain roads to unexpected breakfasts with strangers, language barriers, and rides that could have gone horribly wrong (but thankfully didn't), these are some of the funniest and most memorable moments from the trip.

Hope you enjoy this more laid-back episode.

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Sports nutrition has never been more confusing.

One day carbs are the enemy. The next day protein is the answer to everything. Every week there's a new supplement, a new study, or another influencer promising the next breakthrough.

So how do endurance athletes separate good science from good marketing?

This week I'm joined by Kylie Van Horn, sports dietitian and author of *Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes*, along with Zoe Rome, science communicator and co-host of the *Your Diet Sucks* podcast.

We dive into:

* Why nutrition advice online is so confusing

* Protein, carbs, and whether you're actually eating enough

* The truth about creatine, ketones, bicarb, and supplements

* How to think about fueling instead of following trends

* Weight loss and performance in endurance sports

* Plant-based diets for runners

* Why optimization can actually make running less enjoyable

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

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

After wrapping up my month in Europe, I thought the adventure was over. Instead, it ended with a wildfire blocking my route through the Pyrenees, hitchhiking across Spain, a Tour de France road closure, and enough ticks to send me to the doctor with a Lyme disease scare. I start this episode by sharing how the final days of the trip unfolded and what I've been dealing with since getting home.

Then I sit down with Hunter Macy, the founder of Rendezvu, to talk about one of the biggest problems in trail running and outdoor sports: figuring out what gear actually works. We discuss authentic gear recommendations, athlete-brand relationships, AI, entrepreneurship, and why the future of outdoor gear may look very different than today's sponsored posts and scattered gear lists.

Topics include:

My final days hiking in the Pyrenees

Wildfires, hitchhiking, and travel chaos

The Lyme disease scare after Europe

Why gear reviews are so difficult to trust

How Rendezvu is connecting athletes, brands, and real gear recommendations

Building a startup in the outdoor industry

Where trail running gear is headed next

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

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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

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Welcome to the very first episode of **Free Inside**.

This is our new weekly show where we sit down with no guests, no script, and no real agenda—just whatever we've been thinking about, experiencing, or laughing about that week.

In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, recap Allison's fixed-time race win and immediate decision to sign up for a 200-miler, talk about why fixed-time races deserve more love, share recent bear encounters and European adventures, answer some very questionable soccer questions, and somehow end up debating what Jeff should wear to our wedding.

We're excited to see what this show becomes, and we're glad you're here from the beginning.

Support our Sponsors:

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

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

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

After hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and racing the Zugspitz 100K, I flew to Corsica for one final adventure: the GR20, often called the hardest long-distance trail in Europe.

I expected another scenic alpine trek. Instead, I found endless scrambling, brutal climbs, snowfields, technical descents, and some of the most rewarding mountain scenery I've ever experienced. Along the way I hitchhiked across Corsica, swam in alpine pools during a European heat wave, got sick halfway through the hike, learned why everyone fears this trail, and discovered that sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the terrain—it's stepping into the unknown.

In this episode I share what makes the GR20 so difficult, what surprised me most about Corsica, how I completed the route in 4½ days, and why this month of solo travel has been about much more than backpacking.

Topics include:

* What makes the GR20 so infamous

* Backpacking through Corsica's mountains

* Refugios, bivouacs, and trail logistics

* Hiking northbound instead of southbound

* Technical terrain, snowfields, and massive climbs

* Hitchhiking, language barriers, and travel lessons

* Why doing uncomfortable things builds confidence

If you've ever wondered whether the GR20 deserves its reputation—or you've been looking for your next big adventure—this episode is for you.

Support our Sponsors:

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

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

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Website: www.Freeoutside.com

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Why do we care so much about sports, adventures, and the stories we choose to follow?

We record right after the Egypt and Argentina world cup game.

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning soccer coach and backpacker Jon Schwarze to talk about the power of fandom, connection, and the communities built around the things we love.

Jon’s two favorite things are soccer and the outdoors, and his life has revolved around both. From coaching the beautiful game to completing a Pacific Crest Trail yo-yo, he has experienced how a shared passion can bring complete strangers together.

We dive into why the World Cup captures the attention of billions, why being a fan gives people a sense of belonging, and why chasing a team, a trail, or an impossible goal might not be that different.

At the center of it all is a simple idea: the things that seem like “just a game” or “just a walk” are often the things that create the strongest memories, friendships, and meaning.

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

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

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Most runners think a backyard ultra is crazy.

Lukas Janulitis looked at that format and decided it wasn't hard enough.

Try a Last Skier Standing, an event where athletes skin uphill 1,200 feet every hour, ski back down, and repeat until only one person remains. That means battling sleep deprivation, sub-zero temperatures, brutal winds, hallucinations, and the mental challenge of not knowing when it will end.

In this episode, Lukas shares his experiences at Last Skier Standing, Bubba's Backyard Ultra, Swiss Alps 100, and Cruel Jewel 100. We discuss sleep deprivation, nutrition, heat training, problem-solving during races, New Hampshire mountain culture, and his upcoming attempt at the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail FKT.

Topics include:

-Last Skier Standing

-Backyard ultras and sleep deprivation

-Swiss Alps 100

-Cruel Jewel 100

-Nutrition and race strategy

-Training for multi-day endurance events

-Hallucinations and mental resilience

-The New Hampshire AT FKT

-Why people keep pushing their limits

If you've ever wondered what happens when someone decides to stay awake for days while skiing uphill, this conversation is for you.

Support our Sponsors:

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CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee

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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

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Western States 2026 delivered one of the most memorable races we've ever seen.

Instead of doing a mile-by-mile recap, Allison and I hand out our completely unofficial Western States Awards. We talk about the biggest performances, the most impressive comebacks, the heartbreaking DNFs, the smartest race tactics, and the moments that made this year's race so special.

From Vincent Bouillard proving that a full-time HOKA employee can beat the world's best, to Jen Lichter's incredible debut, Hans Troyer's aggressive race, Canyon Woodward's performance, Molly Seidel's first 100 miler, and everything in between—we break down the biggest stories from one of the fastest and deepest Western States fields ever assembled.

Whether you watched every minute of the livestream or are just catching up, this episode is a fun look back at one of the biggest weekends in trail running.

Topics include:

• Vincent Bouillard's historic win

• Jen Lichter's course record

• Biggest surprises and disappointments

• Our favorite performances

• The future of Western States

• Why this race may never be repeated

• FKT updates and what's next in trail running

If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to the channel. Every week we bring you trail running, ultrarunning, FKT, and endurance stories from the people pushing the sport forward.

Support our Sponsors:

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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

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure