In this episode of the Free Outside podcast, I’m sharing my experience on the Ruby Crest Trail with Airborne, a stunning 74-mile journey through Nevada’s rugged Ruby Mountains. The trail offers incredible views, from jagged peaks to expansive valleys. But it wasn’t all easy—unexpected snowfall added a serious challenge to the hike, making it both more difficult and more memorable.

takeaways

• The Ruby Crest Trail is a beautiful and challenging 74-mile trail in the Wind River Range.
• Hiking the trail involves stunning scenery, including lakes and mountain ranges.
• Unexpected snowfall can occur even in August, so hikers should be prepared for changing weather conditions.
• Jeff also mentions his fantasy football draft and his upcoming race, the Wasatch 100.

Sound Bites

• "Let's just dive into the Ruby Crest Trail because it was pretty awesome."
• "I did not pack enough, but I was going to be okay."
• "We woke up and then in the middle of the night, I'm woken up, waking up? I'm woken, I'm woke waking up."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

02:23 Hiking the Ruby Crest Trail

14:59 Challenges and Unexpected Snowfall

19:04 Repeating Miles and Recommendations

25:29 Conclusion and Fantasy Football Draft

Ruby Crest Trail, hiking, Wind River Range, scenery, challenges, snowfall, fantasy football draft, Wasatch 100

A listener asked, so I answered. In this episode, I dive into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely essential topic of wag bags—those portable, sanitary bags we use to pack out human waste in the great outdoors. But don’t worry, I add my own humor and opinions to keep it interesting! Wag bags play a crucial role in responsible outdoor adventure, helping to keep our trails clean. I throw in some wag bag jokes, explore their history and evolution, and emphasize the importance of packing out toilet paper. And of course, I wrap things up with a few wag bag puns for good measure. Tune in for a fun and informative discussion that might just change the way you think about your next bathroom break in the wild!

takeaways

• Wag bags are portable, sanitary bags used to pack out human waste when outdoors.
• They are an essential part of responsible outdoor adventure and help keep trails clean.
• Wag bags have evolved over time and are widely used by backpackers, mountaineers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
• Packing out toilet paper is also important to minimize environmental impact.
• Wag bags are a convenient and environmentally friendly solution for waste management in remote areas.

Sound Bites

• "Give your wag bag a little nod of appreciation. It's working hard to keep nature's call beautiful."
• "Why don't wag bags make good comedians? Because all their jokes are a little down in the dumps."
• "The term wag bag is often associated with waste alleviation and gelling."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Topic Suggestion

02:24 What is a Wag Bag?

05:43 Benefits and Uses of Wag Bags

08:04 Wag Bags and Leave No Trace Principles

10:28 Packing Out Wag Bags: A Responsible Practice

19:26 History and Evolution of Wag Bags

23:39 Packing Out Toilet Paper

27:01 Wag Bag Puns and Conclusion

Sign up for Montana Meltdown: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?eid=17896

In this podcast episode, I sit down with Aaron Barber to dive into his experiences in trail running and race directing. We chat about the challenges of racing in extreme heat, like the Circle of Hell and the Phoenician 50k, and explore international events like a hundred in the Philippines.

Aaron shares some wild stories, including his unique hallucination experiences during races and the hurdles of racing in a different culture.

Follow Aaron on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/aaron.goes.up/ We also talk about how he got into trail running, his transition from road running and triathlons, and how he made his way into race directing.

Towards the end, we offer tips and advice for anyone looking to break into the trail running industry. We wrap up by discussing the importance of putting runners first and ensuring a positive race experience. I believe trail running will continue to grow, with more competitive races and greater national exposure on the horizon.

takeaways

Aaron Barber shares his experiences in trail running and race directing

He discusses races in extreme heat and international races

Aaron talks about his unique hallucination experiences during races

He explains the challenges of racing in a different culture

Aaron shares how he got into trail running and his transition from road running and triathlons

The episode ends with tips and advice for getting into the trail running industry

Transitioning from one sport to another requires a shift in training mindset and approach.

Volunteering and being involved in the community can lead to opportunities in the outdoor industry.

Race directing involves logistical challenges and the need to prioritize the runner's experience.

Trail running is experiencing growth and may see more competitive races and increased national exposure.

Sound Bites

"The Circle of Hell: A race in Phoenix in July with 110+ degree heat"

"The Phoenician 50k: A brutal race with 11,500 feet of vert in Phoenix"

" A hardcore 100-mile race in the Philippines with 33,000 feet of vert"

"Volunteering, rubbing elbows, saying yes to giving someone a ride back to town. You never know who that's going to be."

"Seeing elites or fast people in general at an aid station is such a huge bonus to runners."

"Everyone shares the same start line and has to run the same route. It's pretty crazy that there's a sport like that."

Chapters

00:00 Racing in Extreme Heat: Circle of Hell and Phoenician 50k

07:10 International Races: in the Philippines

11:55 Hallucination Experiences and Challenges in Trail Running

22:54 Transitioning from Road Running and Triathlons to Trail Running

22:54 Tips and Advice for Getting into the Trail Running Industry

24:49 Transitioning from Triathlon to Trail Running

31:29 Becoming a Race Director

32:57 Dealing with Fires and Route Changes

39:08 Working at Aravipa and the Future of Trail Running Buy Merch to support: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop 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

trail running, race directing, extreme heat, international races, hallucinations, challenges, transition, trail running, race directing, outdoor industry, career advice, challenges, putting runners first, growth, aravipa running, mountain outpost

Sign up for Montana Meltdown: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=117574

In this episode, I discuss recent trail running records broken, the importance of running your own race, the concept of working consistently rather than harder, and the upcoming race Montana Meltdown. I also share personal stories of falling, hurting my hands, and encounters with wildlife while running.

takeaways

• David Roach broke the 19-year record in the Leadville 100 race.
• Running your own race is important in long-distance events.
• Jeff Browning is experimenting with low carb fueling in contrast to the high carb trend.
• Tara Dower is attempting to set the overall FKT on the Appalachian Trail.
• Consistency is key in achieving long-term goals.
• The Montana Meltdown race offers an opportunity to push yourself and see how far you can go in a fixed time period.

Sound Bites

• "Real-time podcasting: 24-hour turnaround."
• "The importance of running your own race."
• "Jeff Browning's experiment with low carb fueling."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Real-Time Podcasting

01:27 Breaking Records and Running Your Own Race

04:42 The Low Carb Fueling Experiment

07:03 Chasing the Appalachian Trail FKT

17:01 The Power of Consistency

23:07 Pushing Your Limits at the Montana Meltdown

keywords: trail running, records, Leadville 100, FKT, David Roach, running your own race, Jeff Browning, high carb fueling, Tara Dower, Appalachian Trail, consistency, Montana Meltdown

Today, we discuss two topics: training philosophy and finding one's career path. I share my insights on training theory, including the importance of different effort levels, the benefits of cold plunges and sauna work, and the progression from least specific to most specific training. I also share my personal journey of finding a career path, which involved exploring different industries, gaining exposure through various projects, valuing interpersonal connections, and giving back.

Takeaways

-Training theory involves different effort levels, from easy to hard, and progresses from least specific to most specific training.

-Cold plunges can be beneficial for recovery, but may skip steps in the recovery process, while sauna work has few drawbacks.

-Finding one's career path involves exploring different industries, gaining exposure through various projects, and valuing interpersonal connections.

-When approaching brands for sponsorship, it's important to show how you can help them sell their products and to have a purpose and plan for the future.

-Giving back and valuing the community and connections in your field can be just as important as having a large audience or impressive accomplishments.

Sound Bites

"Cold plunge can be really good for recovery, but it makes you skip a couple steps."

"Most of your time at that Z1 effort level and then some of it pushing really hard."

"Throw things at the wall and see what sticks."

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Training Philosophy and Theory

09:00 The Benefits and Drawbacks of Cold Plunges and Sauna Work

19:52 Finding Your Career Path: A Personal Journey

28:43 Approaching Brands for Sponsorship: How to Stand Out

32:20 The Importance of Giving Back and Valuing Interpersonal Connections

Today we interview Derrick Lytle, who has been a staple at most big trail running events, tackled ultras himself and even gone after the Arizona Trail FKT.

Follow Derrick online: https://www.instagram.com/derricklytle/?hl=en

Derrick Lytle is a videographer and photographer who got his start in video production by shooting paintball videos. He later transitioned to capturing trail running footage and found a passion for storytelling through visual journalism. He discusses his experiences in the trail running community, including his attempts at the Arizona Trail FKT. Lytle also shares his thoughts on nutrition in endurance sports, emphasizing the importance of fueling appropriately for the level of intensity and duration of the activity. In this conversation, we discuss the topics of fat adaption and fat burning in ultrarunning, the importance of individualized nutrition strategies, and the challenges and rewards of stage racing and bikepacking. We also share stories of their adventures, including a terrifying experience on dangling ladders in Mexico.

Takeaways

• Derek Lytle started his career in video production by shooting paintball videos and later transitioned to capturing trail running footage.
• He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his work and how it has evolved from a hobby to a career.
• Lytle discusses his experiences in the trail running community and the challenges of balancing work and personal goals.
• He shares his thoughts on nutrition in endurance sports, highlighting the need to fuel appropriately for the level of intensity and duration of the activity. Ultrarunners are likely burning more fat than they think, even during high-intensity efforts.
• Individualized nutrition strategies are crucial for success in endurance events.
• Stage racing offers a unique challenge of pacing oneself and managing nutrition over multiple days.
• Bikepacking allows for greater distance and exploration compared to hiking or running.
• Creating and completing self-designed routes can be fulfilling and rewarding.
• Adventure activities often involve calculated risks and require problem-solving skills.
• Safety standards may vary in different countries and outdoor activities.
• Connecting with the running and outdoor community can enhance the overall experience.

Sound Bites

• "I wear a lot of hats, but the main thing would be making videos, taking photos."
• "I think more than anything, it was just like learning to tell stories."
• "To shoot something and make it good, I feel like you have to do that sport for the most part."
• "All ultrarunners are burning fat to a certain extent."
• "Your body is naturally going to be in a fat burning state versus high glucose burning."
• "No one winning or doing well at these races shows up and does 100 grams of carbs an hour for the first time."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Derek Lytle's Career in Video Production

05:19 The Power of Storytelling in Visual Journalism

13:19 The Importance of Immersion in the Sport for Capturing Footage

18:07 Fueling Appropriately for Endurance Sports

29:46 Fat Adaption and Fat Burning in Ultrarunning

32:11 Individualized Nutrition Strategies

35:01 The Importance of Accurate Fueling

36:27 The Challenges of Stage Racing

38:49 The World of Bikepacking

43:38 The Fulfillment of Creating and Completing Self-Designed Routes

52:46 Adventure and Risk-Taking

57:28 Connecting with the Running and Outdoor Community

Keywords: Derek Lytle, videographer, photographer, video production, paintball, trail running, storytelling, visual journalism, Arizona Trail, FKT, nutrition, endurance sports, fat adaption, fat burning, ultrarunning, nutrition strategies, stage racing, bikepacking, adventure, Mexico

In this episode, I discuss various topics, including Joe Stringbean McConaughey's attempt to break my unsupported record on the John Muir Trail, the concept of Fastest Known Times (FKTs), and some funny observations about the Olympics. I also talk about the decision to pull out of a race due to mental fatigue and share my experience participating in a beer mile.

The episode concludes with a discussion about the Olympics and astronauts stuck in space.

Takeaways

• The John Muir Trail is a challenging trail to set a record on due to the difficulty of figuring out a sleep strategy.
• FKT stands for Fastest Known Time and refers to trail records that can be broken by other athletes.
• I decided to pull out of a race due to mental fatigue and not feeling mentally invested in racing.
• Participating in a beer mile can be a fun and competitive activity.

• Being stuck in space for an extended period of time would require finding ways to stay occupied and possibly learn new skills.

• The Fun and Competitive Nature of a Beer Mile
• Deciding to Pull Out of a Race Due to Mental Fatigue

• "The John Muir Trail is a challenging trail to set a record on due to the difficulty of figuring out a sleep strategy."
• "FKT stands for Fastest Known Time and refers to trail records that can be broken by other athletes."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Solo Cast

01:16 The John Muir Trail and Sleep Strategy

02:13 Understanding FKTs and Trail Records

11:14 Deciding to Pull Out of a Race

21:48 The Fun of a Beer Mile

24:54 Finding Inspiration in the Olympics

26:21 Imagining Being Stuck in Space

Keywords Joe Stringbean McConaughey, John Muir Trail, unsupported record, Fastest Known Times, FKTs, Olympics, mental fatigue, beer mile, astronauts

In this episode, I share some of my hitchhiking stories, including a memorable ride with a woman who claimed to be a descendant of the lost princess Anastasia. I also talk about my experiences hiking the Ouachita Trail and the Ozark Highland Trail, as well as my coaching and upcoming race. I reflect on the importance of taking risks and going after goals, even if they don't always work out.

Sound Bites

• "Let's get into some hitchhiking stories."
• "Fast and wrong is still fast."

Takeaways

• Taking risks and going after goals is important, even if they don't always work out.
• Hitchhiking can lead to unique and memorable experiences.
• Jeff has a passion for coaching and helping others achieve their goals.
• He is preparing for the Wasatch 100 race.
• Jeff enjoys sharing his adventures and stories with his audience.

Chapters

00:00 Memorable Hitchhiking Stories

09:38 Hiking the Ouachita Trail and Ozark Highland Trail

13:08 The Importance of Taking Risks

16:15 Passion for Coaching and Helping Others

17:19 Preparing for the Wasatch 100 Race

23:14 Sharing Adventures and Stories

Keywords: hitchhiking, stories, Ouachita Trail, Ozark Highland Trail, coaching, race, taking risks