Western States 100 needed an awards show—so we made one. I’m joined by Allison Mercer for the first-ever Westees, a highly serious, extremely prestigious, and entirely made-up award show for the 2025 Western States 100.

We hand out awards like:

BDE: Big Dad Energy

Michigan "Bluff" Award (for premature blowups

Scuba Steve Award

I’m Not Back, I’m Better Award

The Cougar of the Field

The Zach Miller Lookalike Award

...and of course,

Jeff of the Day

We also break down the biggest performances, the carnage, the drama, the livestream chaos, trail fashion disasters, questionable pacing decisions, and how Killian somehow still looks fresh after 100 miles.

If you like trail running, roasting, fashion critiques, or just hearing someone talk trash about professional runners while wearing Janji shorts—this episode is for you

Janji – The best running shorts in the game (and yes, I’m literally wearing them right now).

Use code freeoutside for a discount.

👉 janji.com

GarageGrownGear.com

CSinstant.coffee

Montana Meltdown – Our very own fixed-time race in Bozeman, Montana. 4, 12, and 24-hour options on a beautiful loop course.

👉 Sign up on UltraSignup – just search Montana Meltdown

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Westees Awards

06:08 The Women's Race Highlights

11:58 The Men's Race Highlights

21:45 Awards and Recognitions

28:55 Reflections on Performance and Training

30:25 Celebrating Chris Myers and Brooks' Impact

33:05 The Performance of Hoka and Unsponsored Athletes

39:24 Mo Money, Mo Problems: The Pressure of Sponsorships

42:53 The Rise of Women in Ultra Running

47:00 The Need for Better Storytelling in Ultra Running

51:58 Age is Just a Number: Inspiring Performances

54:58 Consistency and Experience: The Legacy of Jeff Browning

55:57 Hans and His Journey

01:00:00 Sponsorships and Their Impact

01:05:00 Awards and Recognition

01:10:03 FKTs and Trail Challenges

01:15:07 Reflections on the Appalachian Trail

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Western States may be the most iconic race in ultrarunning—but it also comes with carnage, heartbreak, and a pile of DNS and DNF drama. In this episode, I’m joined by the always-entertaining Allison Mercer (of FastestKnownTime.com) to break down the storylines, the runners who didn’t make it to the start line, and wild ideas to spice up the sport (spoiler: mile-seeding starts for elites?).

We also dive into the FKT world—John Kelly’s latest madness, what’s changing in the scene, and why FKTs still matter. Plus, I give a quick life update because I’m moving out, living out of a storage unit, and heading out for an Appalachian Trail FKT attempt.

Big thanks to our sponsors:

🩳 Janji – Great sun hoodies, shorts, and gear. Use code freeoutside for a discount (let me know what you get!).

☕ CS Instant Coffee – Freeze-dried and trail ready.

🎒 Garage Grown Gear – Your one-stop shop for small-business adventure supplies.

Share the episode, leave a review, and help support the chaos. Stay elite, my friends.

Chapters

00:00 In Memoriam: The Unbreakable List

02:05 The Impact of Social Media on Performance

04:58 The Women's Field: Intriguing Storylines

07:46 The Men's Field: A New Dynamic

10:48 The Role of Coaches and Competitors

13:54 Heat Training and Its Influence

16:54 Predictions for the Race

19:53 The Unsung Heroes of Coverage

22:41 Final Thoughts and Predictions

33:32 The Rising Stars of Trail Running

34:47 Analyzing the Men's Field Dynamics

37:13 Des Linden: The Most Valuable Pacer

40:26 Women Transitioning from Road to Trail

42:28 The Importance of Recovery in Ultra Running

48:50 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes

53:02 John Kelly's FKT Attempt: A Community Effort

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

I just ran the Bighorn 100—no pacers, no headphones, and absolutely no planning. In this episode, I share the full breakdown of how I tackled Wyoming’s classic 100-miler while juggling life stress, sleep deprivation, and a recent pacing stint on the Pacific Crest Trail. From garbage bag drop bags to a ramen-fueled revival at mile 48, this race was anything but conventional.

I talk about the wildflowers, the relentless climbs, the raw and rugged vibe of the race, and why I chose to run it in the middle of prepping for my Appalachian Trail FKT attempt. I also dive into the mental side of ultrarunning—what it means to finish, to recalibrate goals mid-race, and to stop caring about optics when you’re throwing up on the side of a mountain.

This is a race recap, a therapy session, and a reality check all rolled into one. Whether you're training for a 100 or just want to hear how I managed to survive a race with no taper, a busted ankle, and two weeks of pacing fatigue, this one’s for you.

Use code FREEOUTSIDE at Janji.com for sweet gear and check out Garage Grown Gear and CS Instant Coffee to support the show. And if you're feeling generous—or just entertained—drop a five-star review, join the Patreon, or send me a nice email at jeff@freeoutside.com.

Let’s get into it.

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

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recent Adventures

01:54 The Big Horn 100 Experience

12:02 Challenges Faced During the Race

17:51 Lessons Learned and Reflections

25:07 Looking Ahead to Future Goals