The crazy story of my fifth finish at Cocodona 250. This year was full of surprises — I ran with a sickness, hallucinated witches and aliens, battled rain, hail, and mud, and somehow kept going with the help of an incredible crew.

I break down the highs and lows, from brain fog and rolled ankles to a bobcat sighting, and even the odd gear fix that saved the day (hint: Vagisil).

If you’re into ultrarunning, trail running, or just want to hear about pushing through 250 miles of chaos, this episode is full of stories, lessons, and plenty of humor.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cocodona 250 Experience

03:00 Race Day Preparations and Crew Dynamics

05:51 The Struggles Begin: Weather and Physical Challenges

09:10 Hallucinations and Mental Battles

12:10 Navigating Through Adversity: The Role of Crew

14:52 The Mid-Race Shift: Coping with Illness

17:49 Finding Momentum: The Power of Music

21:02 Celebrating Small Victories

24:03 The Final Push: Overcoming the Last Hurdles

26:56 The Finish Line: Reflections and Revelations

Subscribe 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 jeff@freeoutside.comWatch 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

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I break down my full race plan for the 2025 Cocodona 250, the massive 250-mile ultra across Arizona. I walk you through how I’m approaching the unusually cold weather, the new technical course changes, and the long stretches without pacers. I explain why I’m planning to go out more aggressively this year, how I’m dialing in my carbs, salt, and hydration, and where I’ll rely on my crew and pacers the most. I share my split predictions, the key sections I’m watching for, and some honest reflections on how far I’ve come as a runner and a podcaster. Whether you’re following Cocodona or just curious about what it takes to line up for something this big, this episode gives you an inside look at my mindset and strategy heading into race week.

Chapters

00:00 Cocadona 250 Race Strategy

03:09 Course Navigation and Aid Stations

05:55 Pacing and Nutrition Strategy

09:07 Self-Sufficiency and Crew Dynamics

11:57 Reflections on Podcasting and Growth

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

On today’s episode of the Free Outside Show, I’m joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year’s showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We debate mind games, pacing strategies, why volunteering matters, and why Cocodona is basically ultrarunning’s March Madness.

Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandanceparty

Follow our sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Allison Mercer and Cocodona

02:50 The Inaugural Cocodona Experience

06:08 Crew Dynamics and Race Strategy

08:46 The Evolution of Cocodona and Its Popularity

11:59 The Role of Volunteers in Ultra Running

14:58 Pacing and the Emotional Journey

17:58 The Impact of Weather on Race Performance

20:56 The Influence of Social Media and Celebrity Runners

23:50 The Future of Cocodona and Its Competitors

27:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

46:08 The Evolving Landscape of Ultra Running

52:39 Courtney's Dominance and the Competitive Field

56:58 Mindset and Strategy in Ultra Racing

01:01:55 The Future of Cocodona and Race Dynamics

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

On this wild episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Derrick Lytle and into everything Cocodona 250 — from race predictions and course changes to the strength-versus-speed debate heating up in the ultra scene. But first? We take on the internet’s most absurd hypothetical: could 100 men beat a silverback gorilla? (Spoiler: probably not.) We trade predictions on Courtney Dauwalter, Ryan Sandes, Mike McKnight, and more while roasting obstacle racers, dissecting mud strategies, and dreaming up the ultimate post-race media blitz. Expect hot takes, cold-weather prep, and plenty of laughs in this pre-race breakdown of one of the most exciting 200-milers of the year.

Check out Derrick's Youtube Channel: @TheJuniperLab

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter

03:00 The Gorilla Debate: Humans vs. Nature

06:01 Cocodona 250: Anticipation and Excitement

08:53 The Impact of the Courtney Effect

12:03 Women in Ultra Running: Breaking Barriers

15:07 Course Changes and Challenges in Cocodona

18:01 Weather and Its Influence on Performance

21:01 The Evolution of Ultra Running Competitors

23:57 CrossFit vs. High Rocks: A Lighthearted Comparison

25:25 Transitioning from CrossFit to Endurance Sports

26:26 Mike McKnight's Preparation for Cocodona

29:11 The Debate on Strength Training for Runners

30:25 DJ Fox: The Obstacle Course Racer's Edge

31:47 Predictions for Cocodona 250

33:27 Weather and Logistics Impacting Race Performance

35:51 The Competitive Landscape of Cocodona 250

38:10 Emerging Athletes and Dark Horses

40:06 Nutrition Strategies for Ultra Runners

42:23 Broadcasting Challenges at Cocodona 250

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

On today's episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by outdoor filmmaker Drew Darby, and we cover everything from his unexpected start filming inside prisons to becoming one of the most exciting filmmakers in ultrarunning. We dive into how working in sensitive environments shaped his storytelling, the chaos (and comedy) of filming 100-mile races, and why long-form content is making a comeback. Drew shares his thoughts on building a career in the outdoor film industry, what it’s like to turn passion into a full-time job, and the importance of telling deeper stories beyond the race results. Plus, we brainstorm a "Media Mile" race, swapping cameras instead of trophies. It's an episode packed with filmmaking mishaps, creative advice, and a whole lot of laughs.

Follow Drew Darby online: https://www.instagram.com/drewbdarby

Chapters

00:00 From Prisons to Filmmaking: Drew's Unique Journey

04:35 The Intersection of Politics and Filmmaking

09:06 Short Form vs Long Form: The Filmmaker's Dilemma

17:27 The Pressure of Timely Storytelling

21:53 Navigating Brand Relationships in Filmmaking

28:58 Transitioning to Ultra Sports Filmmaking

38:35 Overcoming Physical Limitations

39:30 Transitioning to Freelance Filmmaking

42:12 Navigating Brand Collaborations

44:09 Life Beyond Filmmaking

47:18 The Challenges of Travel

49:26 Filmmaker Nightmare Stories

53:39 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

01:01:25 The Importance of Storytelling in Filmmaking

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 sit down with Doc, the voice behind Hiker Trash Radio—a podcast that’s interviewed over 450 adventurers from thru-hikers to Barkley Marathons legends. We dive deep into Doc’s wild behind-the-scenes experience covering the 2024 Barkley Marathons as a first-time invited media member. From nearly camping in the wrong forest to building trust at the Yellow Gate, he shares how he captured the stories of runners, crews, and chaos at one of the world’s most mysterious races.

Check out the Barkley Marathons Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=88778974ca8d44f4

We talk about John Kelly’s fun run finish, the brutal new Ball Bearing Hill, and the unglamorous truth about nap-induced DNFs. Plus, we explore the evolution of Hiker Trash Radio, the art of giving trail names, and why Doc’s doctorate turned into a trail moniker.

Check out Hiker Trash Radio YouTube: ⁨@hikertrashradio⁩

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gvi6HyY4wdQ7u8wWdSnkx?si=db514a5572e34e34

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikertrashradio

Whether you love the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or just thrive on tales of ultrarunning pain and perseverance, this one’s got something for every dirtbag dreamer.

support our sponsors:

Janji.com

GarageGrownGear.com

Csinstant.coffee

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Barkley Marathons

02:48 Doc's Journey to Cover the Barkley

06:07 The Anticipation of Race Day

08:49 Interviews and Insights from Runners

11:53 The Race Begins: Expectations vs. Reality

15:01 The Challenges of the Barkley Course

17:58 The Atmosphere During the Race

20:57 Reflections on the Race Experience

24:04 The Aftermath: No Finishers This Year

30:57 The Final Moments of the Race

32:01 Reflections on Race Difficulty

33:30 Media Coverage and Content Creation

36:01 The Evolution of the Podcast

37:48 The Journey into Backpacking

46:00 Trail Names and Their Stories

51:01 The Magic of Thru-Hiking

55:16 Exploring Adventure Stories

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

I sit down with Tim and Renee—better known as Simply the ⁨@reneeandtim⁩ . These two have thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and Continental Divide Trail (CDT), set a Fastest Known Time (FKT), and built a massive online audience with their content on backpacking, ultrarunning, and dehydrated trail meals.

Follow the Thru Hikers on the internet

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thruhikers/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thruhikers?

Website: https://thruhikers.co/

We talk about their full-time careers in plant genetics and engineering to outdoor influencers, the pressure of going viral on TikTok, and what it’s like filming content while hiking thousands of miles. Renee shares the story behind her self-supported Oregon FKT and how spreadsheets, heatwaves, and stubborn fire seasons played a role.

Check out The Barkley Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=cb96d5bf10ca48f3

Support our sponsors Janji.com, Garagegrowngear.com and Csinstant.coffee

Plus, we dive into:

-The realities of turning hiking into a career

-Dehydrated food experiments gone wrong (bibimbap, we’re looking at you)

Trail name origins ("Blue Man" and "Sausage")

-How to prep for your first long-distance hike (spoiler: you don’t need to be an expert)

-Their book combining backpacking recipes and advice

-And why trail running has become their go-to between big hikes

This episode is perfect for aspiring thru-hikers, FKT nerds, trail chefs, and anyone wondering how to turn a love of the outdoors into a lifestyle.

Chapters

00:00 Adventuring with an Audience

03:06 Balancing Careers and Adventures

05:59 The Journey to FKTs

09:00 The Transition to Ultra Running

11:56 Navigating Social Media Growth

15:04 The Process of Writing a Book

34:51 The Journey of Publishing a Book

36:44 Wildlife Encounters and Adventure Stories

41:05 The Art of Dehydrating Food for Hiking

50:29 Preparing for a Thru-Hike Adventure

55:40 Trail Names and Their Stories

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Keywords

Thruhiking, Ultra Running, FKT, Adventure, Social Media, Content Creation, Hiking, Outdoor Activities, Balancing Work and Adventure, Recipe Book, hiking, adventure, wildlife encounters, thru-hiking, book publishing, dehydrating food, trail names, outdoor stories, FKT, hiking tips

I sit down with Peter Mortimer, the champion of the inaugural Arizona Monster 300-miler. Just hours after finishing, Pete was back at work—because ultrarunning is expensive and PTO is a myth. We talk about his strategy for managing sleep, how he trains for 200+ mile races, and what it’s like to hallucinate a jaguar that turns out to be an actual cow.

Follow Pete Mortimer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjmortimer/

We also dive into Pete’s “finish it once” race mentality, his plans to take on the Triple Crown of 200s, and his alter ego as a culinary legend known as Pete’s Meats, feeding hallucinating runners brisket on mountain summits. Plus, the ridiculous story of how we first met—at the Barkley Marathons, where Pete forgot his bib number and everything went sideways from there.

Support us by supporting our sponsors:

Janji: Janji.com

Garage Grown Gear: GarageGrownGear.com

CS Coffee: Csinstant.coffee

If you like stories of long-distance suffering, sleep deprivation, racing horses at Man Against Horse, and the sheer absurdity of ultra culture, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Arizona Monster

03:06 Experiencing the Arizona Trail

06:01 Race Strategy and Pacing

08:51 Training for the 300-Mile Challenge

12:03 Mental Challenges During the Race

15:02 Post-Race Reflections and Future Plans

24:41 The Barkley Marathons Experience

29:04 Cocadona Training and Connections

31:30 Pete's Meats and Community Engagement

36:11 Philosophy of Racing and Travel

38:57 Unique Racing Experiences: Man Against Horse

42:54 Eight More Miles Coaching Philosophy

Keywords

Arizona Monster, ultra running, endurance races, race strategy, training, mental challenges, Peter Mortimer, Jeff Garmire, 300-mile race, pacing, Barkley Marathons, Cocadona, ultra running, Pete's Meats, community, racing philosophy, Man Against Horse, coaching, endurance sports, running experiences