Free Outside

March Madness is here… but make it outdoors.

We just wrapped round one of Outdoor March Madness and chaos has already taken over. No perfect brackets remain, upsets are happening everywhere, and somehow Nerds Clusters might actually win the whole thing. I break down the biggest results, the closest matchups, and what’s coming next as we head toward the Sweet 16.

We also raffle off our first prize (shoutout Robbie), and I explain how YOU can win gear, race entries, and more just by voting.

On my end, I’m finally back training after breaking my rib at Barkley Marathons. After nearly four weeks off, I’ve jumped back into big mileage, working toward Cocodona 250. The fitness feels good, the falls do not, and now it’s all about dialing in runnable miles, heat training, and race-specific prep.

Topics in this episode:

Round 1 Outdoor March Madness results and biggest upsets
Why there are zero perfect brackets left
Prize raffles and how to win
My Cocodona 250 training update post-injury
Why I keep falling (seriously, what is going on)
Early voting trends for Round 2

Vote on matchups and follow along:
freeoutside.com

New prizes dropping every round. Your vote actually matters.

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

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 [email protected]

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

Mike McKnight is on the Free Outside Podcast, and this one goes all over the place in the best way. We talk about his jump into Hyrox, why it might be more of a runner sport than people think, and what it was like dealing with a brutal back injury that left him unable to run but somehow still riding 200 miles on a bike.

https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness

We also get into his massive 2026 schedule, including five 200-mile races, Hardrock, and launching the Old Ephraim 200, a race that finishes at the same ski area where he once broke his back. Mike talks about what it takes to get a race permitted, how he thinks about goals across a huge season, why he is not big on pacers, and what actually makes him so good at 200-mile races.

Then, naturally, we end up talking about sleep deprivation, childhood farm life, dissociation in ultras, a possible Colorado Trail head-to-head FKT showdown, and Mike’s deep love for the Backstreet Boys.

This one is funny, honest, and full of the kind of ultra running rabbit holes I love.

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

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 [email protected]

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

Today I’m introducing something I’ve been putting way too much work into: Outdoor March Madness.

Luke Pearsall of Trail Goods Co joins for a Bracketology episode discussing the outdoor march madness bracket. Join for a joke filled episode.

Follow Trail Goods Co: https://www.instagram.com/trailgoodscompany

It’s a giant bracket where outdoor things go head to head. Trails, gear, snacks, and the things that ruin your day outside. Think Appalachian Trail vs Pacific Crest Trail. Peanut Butter vs Trail Mix. Trekking poles vs Headphones.

You fill out a bracket predicting what will win, and then every round the matchups are decided by public voting.

There will be prizes, chaos, and probably some very strong opinions.

Fill out your bracket here:
https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness

Vote on the matchups here:
https://forms.gle/9DEK6x2iUK4gMzVH9

Let’s see what the outdoor world decides is the ultimate champion.

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

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 [email protected]

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

I have a huge announcement. The Free Outside Outdoor March Madness Bracket is live.

https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness

Go to freeoutside.com and fill out your bracket to predict which outdoor things will win head-to-head matchups all month long. Trails, snacks, gear, and trail problems will face off until we crown a champion.

Follow Cody Taylor online: https://www.instagram.com/codytaylorperformance

You can vote in each matchup as the rounds progress, track the leaderboard, and enter raffles for prizes along the way. We’re giving away race entries, gear, gift cards, and more.

Some example matchups include things like:

• Appalachian Trail vs Timberline Trail
• Peanut M&Ms vs Running Gels
• Blisters vs Mosquitoes
• Gear battles and trail legends

Brackets close Wednesday March 18 at midnight MST, and voting continues through early April.

Go submit your bracket and start voting:
freeoutside.com

Episode

Today on the Free Outside Podcast I talk with Cody Taylor, who has been diving deep into the world of unsupported long-distance trail adventures.

Cody went from starting running during the pandemic to taking on massive unsupported efforts like:

• The Bruce Trail (900 km)
• The International Appalachian Trail
• Planning an unsupported out-and-back of Vermont’s Long Trail

We talk about what it takes to go hundreds of miles completely unsupported, including gear, food planning, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the mental side of long solo efforts.

Cody also shares his story of going from touring drummer to endurance athlete, building a coaching business with his wife, and why doing hard things in the wilderness can completely change how you see everyday life.

It’s a fun conversation about pushing limits, learning the hard way, and figuring things out one long trail at a time.

Sponsors

Janji
Check out the gear I use from Janji, including the AFO shorts and 2-in-1 shorts with great pockets.
Visit janji.com

Garage Grown Gear
Everything you need for trail running, backpacking, and thru-hiking.
Check them out at garagegrowngear.com

Sawyer
Known for their water filters like the Sawyer Squeeze, but also their Stay Put sunscreen, which lasts all day on long runs and hikes.

More Free Outside

Website: freeoutside.com
Newsletter: freeoutside.substack.com
Patreon: patreon.com/freeoutside

You can also watch the film about my unsupported Colorado Trail FKT on Tubi.

Chapters
00:00 Outdoor March Madness
05:00 Cody Taylor's Journey into Endurance Running
08:00 Transition from Musician to Endurance Athlete
11:00 The Challenges of Unsupported Adventures
13:48 Mental Preparation and Coping Strategies
16:54 Nutrition and Gear for Long Trails
19:47 Experiences with Hallucinations and Wildlife
22:45 Exploring the Bruce Trail
25:40 Strengths and Future Projects
40:23 Overcoming Challenges in FKT Attempts
46:00 Training Philosophy: Grease the Groove
50:34 Cody's Journey: From Hockey to Drumming
55:12 Canadian Childhood and the Love for Hockey
01:00:26 Building a Business Together
01:06:51 Future Aspirations and Coaching Philosophy

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

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 [email protected]

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

Madison Blagden joins me to break down one of the wildest hiking years I have ever heard of. In 2025, she completed a border-to-border Calendar Year Triple Crown, then kept going until she hit 10,071 miles on foot.

We talk about how the goal evolved in real time, what it takes to hike that kind of mileage day after day, and how she handled injury, snow, isolation, grizzly country, and the mental toll of a full year spent moving forward. Madison also shares how she got into thru-hiking in the first place, from starting the PCT with almost no experience to building into one of the biggest hiking years ever.

This one is about huge miles, trail life, identity, sacrifice, and what happens when you push so far that the whole experience starts to feel bigger than hiking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Walker of the Year Nominee
09:27 Transitioning from Trail to Everyday Life
15:12 The Impact of the First Thru-Hike
21:10 Living on the Road: Adventures and Challenges
29:30 Navigating Trail Challenges
36:20 Pushing Hiking Limits
42:00 Starting the 2025 Journey
48:44 The Journey Begins in Key West
54:48 Transitioning to the PCT
59:58 Navigating Challenges on the PCT
01:04:45 Overcoming Injury and Setbacks
01:15:35 Balancing Hiking with Content Creation
01:20:41 Finding Spirituality in the Wilderness

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

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 [email protected]

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