Free Outside

• Javelina Jundred Preview Show Chaos

  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.Chapters00:00 Marathon Madness: The Allure of Speed03:44 The Javelina 100: A Race to Remember09:28 Trail Running Trends: The Evolving Landscape14:45 The Golden Ticket: Who Will Qualify?20:24 The FKT Debate: Unsupported vs. Self-Supported28:00 Sports Superstitions: The Fan ExperienceSubscribe 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 [email protected] 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

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• Love Letter to the Wasatch: Millwood 100

  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/kaytebrownChapters00:00 Exploring the Millwood 100 Adventure08:18 The Journey of Preparation and Planning13:56 The Role of Support and Pacers19:54 Mental Resilience and Overcoming Challenges25:56 Reflections on Toughness and Personal Growth31:42 The Joy of Companionship in Racing37:05 Innovative Race Concepts45:53 Running Up for Air: A Unique Initiative50:56 Life Beyond Mormonism: A Personal Journey

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• Chicago marathon Meets Local News

  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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Chicago Marathon05:52 Post-Marathon Reflections and Body Changes11:40 Future Plans and Rebuilding PhaseSubscribe 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 [email protected] 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

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• Exulansis: When No One Gets It But You

  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: CSinstant.coffeejanji.comgaragegrowngear.comChapters00:00 Observations on Social Interactions02:36 Navigating Post-Adventure Challenges05:44 The Dynamics of Ultra Running Events08:29 Understanding Terminus Season and Post-Trail TransitionSubscribe 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 [email protected] 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

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• The SCAR Maker and the AT Record Breaker

  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_goKfnP8PqkaLADonate to the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6530749Chapters00:00 Post-Hike Transition and Emotional Challenges02:40 Caloric Miscalculations and Preparation for FKT05:31 Evolution of FKT Records and Technological Advances08:21 The Impact of Previous Record Holders10:48 Guidelines for Self-Supported Hiking13:28 Documenting the Journey: Technology and Tracking16:21 The Balance of Simplicity and Validation in Records19:02 Reflections on the Future of FKT Attempts27:13 Navigating Resupply Challenges32:58 Mental Strategies for Endurance37:13 The Importance of Reflection41:06 Journey into Ultrarunning and FKTs51:09 The Cost of Technology in Hiking54:15 Navigating Technology and Safety on the Trail56:42 The Impact of Technology on Hiking Culture01:00:18 The Balance of Trail Magic and Self-Sufficiency01:05:01 Personal Stories: Meeting on the TrailSubscribe 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 [email protected] 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

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