Running culture is changing fast. Athletes now share every workout, fans follow races year-round, money and attention are concentrated around a handful of major events, and ultrarunning is being forced to confront doping, peptides and what “clean sport” actually means.Ultrarunner, coach and podcast host Zach Bitter joins Jeff Garmire to discuss whether money is ruining trail running, the rise of athlete content, Josh Kerr calling his shot at the mile world record and why real fandom has finally arrived in ultrarunning.They also explore the growing difficulty of entering Western States and Hardrock, what multi-day runners are doing differently, sleep strategies in backyard ultras, why runners start 100-milers too fast and what modern ultrarunning can learn from the wild history of pedestrianism.Finally, Zach offers a nuanced look at PEDs, BPC-157, therapeutic use exemptions and whether races may eventually need separate competitive and participation categories. He also shares an update on his return to running after a blood clot and the possibility of another 100-mile race.Support our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Mac, the creator of Halfway Anywhere and the annual PCT Thru-Hiker Survey, joins the show to talk about hiking Corsica’s GR20, how the Pacific Crest Trail has changed, and whether modern thru-hiking has lost some of its mystery.We compare our experiences on the GR20, including huts, snow, intense heat, crowded trails, French hiking culture and the unexpected luxury of buying sandwiches in the mountains. Then we dig into the evolution of the PCT, from paper maps and hitchhiking to FarOut comments, scheduled rides, heavier gear and thru-hikes that now average around $10,000 to $11,000.Mac also shares how Halfway Anywhere became his full-time work, what more than a decade of PCT survey data reveals about backpacking gear, why experienced adventurers have to work harder to find the unknown, and what he is planning next in Japan.Before the interview, I recap running an 18:52 5K in Crocs and explain why the weird goals nobody else understands can sometimes be the most meaningful.Learn more from Mac at Halfway Anywhere: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

One year after standing on Katahdin wondering if I even had a chance, I finally sat down to break down exactly how I trained for the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT.In this episode, I go through the numbers, the workouts, the training camps, and the philosophy that helped me prepare for 45 straight days on the trail. It's less about one magic workout and more about building durability, confidence, and giving yourself a chance.After that, I'm doing something a little different.I'm playing the newest episode of Free Inside, the new podcast Allison and I started together. We talk about strange ultrarunning stories, Rube Waddell, mysterious Oakville Blobs, relay races, the Teton Crest Trail, hallucinations, and plenty of other random things that somehow make sense to us.🎬 Appalachian Trail Film will premiere on August 27th in Bozeman! ➡️ https://partiful.com/e/FwwSWZwK7q3KoZsS3tFK?Youtube Channel for the August 28th Premierehttps://youtube.com/@freeoutside?si=pMVoBdiYC05XsLKj📖 Training Article / Substack➡️ http://freeoutside.substack.com/🎙️ Free Inside➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/033Pwij3Why0tydLeZPnMz?si=7498b342f9b7450cSupport our Sponsors: Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

I met Mike Kratzer at the Zugspitze 100 after organizers turned our 100-mile race into a 100K just hours before the start. Somewhere between sharing a helmet that I never ended up using, surviving the German heat, and talking after the race, I realized Mike had something that draws people in.In this episode we talk about why positivity isn't fake, why you don't need a dramatic life event to make a change, how social media creates pressure that often comes from ourselves, and why the best adventures usually start by simply heading in the right direction instead of finding the perfect path.We also dive into:Why Mike quit drinking without hitting "rock bottom"Building authentic community through runningThe evolution of trail running mediaSpeed Project storiesWhy comparison steals joyThe psychology of trail conversationsChoosing the life you actually want instead of the one people expectWhether you're a runner or not, this conversation is really about permission: permission to change, permission to be yourself, and permission to chase the things that matter to you.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Every weekend it feels like another record falls.This week we're diving into one of the biggest stretches of performances trail running has seen in years. We break down Max Jolliffe and Carmen Pérez's record-setting runs at Badwater 135, Aurélien Sanchez's Pacific Crest Trail FKT, Josh Kerr's incredible mile world record, and what all of it says about where endurance sports are heading.We also talk about London's move to a two-day marathon, why FKTs continue to grow around the world, the culture surrounding iconic routes like the Bob Graham Round and GR20, and whether supported FKTs are becoming an entirely different discipline.Finally, we tackle the biggest topic in trail running right now: doping. Recent controversies have raised difficult questions about education, race organizers, governing bodies, and what clean competition should look like as the sport continues to grow.A fun conversation that starts with record-breaking performances... and somehow ends with bobbleheads.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Western States made Canyon Woodward one of the top ultrarunners in America—but that's only part of his story.Before earning a top-10 finish at Western States, Canyon spent years organizing political campaigns in rural communities, helping flip a state senate seat through a 100% positive campaign, and learning how meaningful change happens one conversation at a time.In this episode, we talk about far more than racing. We discuss why community keeps us coming back to the trails, what endurance sports and organizing have in common, growing up in the remote mountain community of Stehekin, dealing with imposter syndrome, finding optimism in difficult times, and why shared experiences matter more than ever.If you've ever wondered whether running can teach us something about life beyond the finish line, this conversation is for you.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

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.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#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 enjoyableSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#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 PyreneesWildfires, hitchhiking, and travel chaosThe Lyme disease scare after EuropeWhy gear reviews are so difficult to trustHow Rendezvu is connecting athletes, brands, and real gear recommendationsBuilding a startup in the outdoor industryWhere trail running gear is headed nextSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#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: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure