Free Outside

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.

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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

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.

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
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
Instagram: thefreeoutside
facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#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:
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 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

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:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
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
Instagram: thefreeoutside
facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Ann Trason won Western States 100 fourteen times. Fourteen. 14 time western states winner!

Long before live streams, social media, sponsorships, and modern ultrarunning, Ann was redefining what was possible in endurance sports. She wasn't just competing against other women. She was competing with the best runners in the world, period.

In this conversation, we don't spend much time reliving race results or championship performances. Instead, we talk about the stories behind the sport, the evolution of ultrarunning, aging, recovery, community, curiosity, and what endurance means after the records become history.

Ann shares thoughts on Western States, staying active later in life, finding joy in new challenges, and why curiosity continues to drive her decades after becoming one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time.

If you're newer to trail running, this is a chance to hear from one of the athletes who helped build the sport. If you've been around a while, it's a reminder of where many of the traditions and stories we love today came from.

Topics:

Winning Western States 14 times
Ultrarunning in the early days
Competing in a male-dominated sport
Aging and staying active
Recovery and longevity
Community and friendships through running
Cocodona and modern ultrarunning
Finding purpose after peak performance
Why curiosity never goes away

Support our Sponsors:
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 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