Free Outside

I discuss Crocs, eclipses, a game called Deal or No Deal with trail running contracts, and an interview with Lil Buddha about his Pangea Traverse and bear encounters. I share share some news and experiences with crocs, including a 5k run and and Chris Howett's Guinness world record marathon. I discuss eclipses and play a fun game with Trail Running Brand contracts. I speak to Little' Buddha about his experiences as a long-distance hiker, his identity as a Hmong American, and his efforts to raise awareness and funds for the AAPI community. He talks about insights into his family's refugee journey and the challenges of planning and executing the Pangea Traverse. Follow Lil Buddha: https://www.instagram.com/lilbuddhahikes/?hl=en Takeaways Crocs can be a source of Guiness world records especially in the marathon. Eclipses are a captivating natural phenomenon The game 'Deal or No Deal' is played with the Trail Running Industry Thru-hiking and hitchhiking experiences are highlighted The Pangea Traverse, a 16,000-mile hiking endeavor, requires meticulous planning and funding, presenting logistical and environmental challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Crocs Fascination 05:21 Passion for Eclipses and Outdoor Adventures 09:08 The Game of 'Deal or No Deal' in the Outdoor Industry 13:06 Hitchhiking, Through-Hiking, and Bear Encounters 38:04 The Pangea Traverse: Planning, Challenges, and Impact Sound Bites "I wanted to be in the community and be visible, right? As a person of color, as an Asian American living in the United States, that was participating in something that for the most part, most BIPOC people are underrepresented in." "My family, my mom, you know, she had to escape. So my father and mother were separated during this. My father was out fighting. My mom was still in the village with my brothers and sisters and me unborn." "I've got three years that I could, you know, put it all into hiking. So it'll take three years to complete the 16,000 miles." Keywords podcast, crocs, eclipses, game, interview, Pangea Traverse, bear encounters, through-hiking, hitchhiking, marathon, world record, eclipses fascination, long-distance hiking, Hmong American, refugee journey, AAPI community, Pangea Traverse, fundraising

In this episode we discusses various topics including FKTs, the Cocodona race, UTMB, doping in trail running, and the concept of power hiking. Also, some jokes written by AI and its thoughts on different generations. The episode ends with a book recommendation and a reflection on the significance of rocks. Takeaways Notable FKTs started this month. A PCT FKT attempt, an Appalachian FKT attempt and a new unsupported FKT on the Arizona Trail by Heather "Anish" Anderson. The Cocodona race is gaining attention and popularity, with its unique course and community involvement. UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) is considered one of the biggest and most competitive trail races in the world and is making a small step into drug testing in trail running Doping is a concern in trail running, and efforts are being made to address it, although the fragmented nature of the sport makes it challenging. The concept of power hiking in ultra running is debated, with some considering it a form of walking and others emphasizing its athletic nature. Humor and jokes related to ultra running and different generations are awful. A book recommendation, 'Itch' by Nick Fowler, is given. The significance of rocks, particularly 'ugly rocks,' is pondered. Sound bites "FKT's jokes ugly rocks this episode has everything" "FKTs on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. She's also written a couple of books if you're a book person." "There's even the influencer level of money in the sport" Chapters 00:00 FKTs, Cocodona, and UTMB: Exploring the World of Trail Running 03:45 Heather Anderson's FKTs and Book Recommendations 08:01 Addressing Doping in Trail Running 16:29 The Debate on Power Hiking in Ultra Running 23:04 Contemplating the Significance of Rocks Keywords FKTs, Cocodona, UTMB, trail running, doping, power hiking, jokes, generations, book recommendation, rocks

Don Reichelt, a Guinness World Record holder for running on a manual treadmill, joins the podcast. He shares his motivation for attempting the record and the rigorous process of setting a Guinness world record, including finding independent witnesses and providing video evidence. Don also discusses his approach to training and self-care, emphasizing the importance of strength training and mobility exercises. The conversation touches on the evolving nature of ultra running and the balance between competition and enjoying the beauty of nature. Don shares his experience running a sub-8 minute pace in a 100-mile race and the mental challenges that come with achieving a perfect race. He shares how he sets goals and pushes himself to his limits, as well as the importance of mental and emotional preparation. Overall, the conversation highlights the pursuit of challenging oneself and finding enjoyment in the process. Check out Don on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runwithdon/?hl=en Takeaways Don Reichelt set three Guinness World Records for running on a manual treadmill Don emphasizes the importance of strength training and mobility exercises in his training regimen to prevent injuries and improve performance. The conversation explores the evolving nature of ultra running and the balance between competition and enjoying the beauty of nature. Don shares his experience running a sub-8 minute pace in a 100-mile race and the mental challenges that come with achieving a perfect race. Setting challenging goals and pushing oneself to the limits can lead to personal growth and a sense of accomplishment. Mental and emotional preparation are just as important as physical training for ultra races. Sound Bites "I was really just looking for a way to get a free treadmill." "Guinness has turned into more of like a marketing agency than anything these days." "I had no idea. It was hard physically, but I've never done anything harder mentally in my life." "What are the controlled ways that I can practice something that I'm going to have to do at a really tough level in Cocodona." "Why do we come out to this race when we both live where it's snowy? Because the heat just kills us each day." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:15 Running for Guinness World Records 04:26 The Mental Challenges of Running on a Manual Treadmill 10:59 The Importance of Strength Training and Mobility 13:20 Finding the Balance Between Competition and Enjoying Nature 22:59 Pushing Limits and Chasing Perfection 26:18 The Importance of Mental and Emotional Preparation 30:04 Training for Spring Races in Brutal Winters 32:29 Tiny Bench: Connecting and Sharing Stories 39:31 Memorable Runs: From Challenging Races to Special Moments Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside Buy a shirt to support future projects: https://www.bonfire.com/fastest-known-tiger Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFKeywordsGuinness World Keywords: Records, treadmill running, training, self-care, strength training, mobility exercises, ultra running, competition, nature, mental challenges, ultra running, training, Cocodona 250, goals, mental preparation, Tiny Bench, memorable runs, fastest known times

Summary Hallucinations are crazy! I also did no research on why they happen. But in this episode, I will share some stories of my favorite hallucinations during thru-hikes, FKTs, and races. Some of my best stories, and the ones I share include seeing a safari figure, witches, chicken feet, a pirate ship, and a robot embedded in a cliff. I also used Chat GPT to recreate the images which is especially fun. A quick update on my health and the Kendrick and Drake beef. Sound Bites "I've had some pretty good interactions with bears. Probably a good story for another episode." "I've never had any fear of bears. I've actually had some pretty cool interactions with bears." "Lately I've started plugging these into chat GPT and getting it to recreate the scenario or the scene that was in my mind." Takeaways Sleep deprivation during endurance races can lead to vivid hallucinations. Hallucinations can take various forms, such as seeing safari figures, witches, objects embedded in cliffs, and animals like bears. Recreating hallucination scenes using chat GPT can be a fun way to share the experience with others. Listeners are invited to share ideas for future podcast topics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and NDA Misunderstanding 03:15 First Hallucination: Nolan's 14 Route 06:35 Recurring Hallucinations: Safari Figures and Witches 11:48 Hallucinations during Cocadona and Arizona Trail FKT 14:09 Hallucination of a Pirate Ship and Robot 23:30 Using Chat GPT to Recreate Hallucination Scenes 25:51 Upcoming Races and Last Person Standing Events Keywords hallucinations, endurance races, Trail running, ultrarunning, thru hiking, Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Colorado Trail, Cocodona 250, running

Summary In this conversation, I interview Nick Fowler, a renowned thru-hiker and FKT (Fastest Known Time) record breaker. We discuss Nick's experiences with thru-hiking and FKT attempts and dive into his record-breaking Pacific Crest Trail hike. Nick shares his training approach and the challenges he faced during his PCT FKT attempt, including health issues and a hurricane. The conversation highlights the determination and resilience required for long-distance hiking and FKT pursuits. We talk a little bit about my own experiences on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT). We also dive into the book that Nick wrote about the Pacific Northwest Trail record. Overall, Nick is just an amazing backpacker, thru hiker, and everything in between. Support Nick's book: ⁠⁠https://pntbook.com/⁠⁠ Takeaways Thru-hiking and FKT attempts require determination, resilience, and careful planning. Training for FKT attempts often involves strength training, long-distance running, and building up mileage gradually. Challenges during FKT attempts can include health issues, adverse weather conditions, and difficult terrain. Thru-hiking and FKT attempts are not only physical challenges but also mental and emotional journeys. He faced challenges such as difficult stream crossings, extreme heat, and physical ailments. He has written a book about his PNT FKT and plans to attempt more FKTs in the future. Sound Bites "I've always known about thru-hiking. I've always known about the Appalachian Trail and everything, but I never really gave it any thought until I started getting into big day hikes." "I started with running a half marathon a day in January, 2021. And then I bumped it up to a marathon a day with a couple of rest days a week in February, 2021." "I was struggling to open water bottle lids. I was drinking water out of trash cans." "I started off with 5,000 calories a day. And then by the time I got to mid Oregon, I was at 10,000 calories a day." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Training and preparation for FKT attempts 03:27 Discovering thru-hiking and FKTs on the PNT 06:21 Building up to the PCT FKT 11:41 Challenges and adversity on the PCT FKT 16:02 Stuck in a cave during a hurrican 25:28 Setting Fastest Known Times on the PCT and PNT 30:08 Challenges and Strategies on the Trails 38:19 Gear and Food for Long-Distance Hiking 41:15 Writing a Book and Future Trail Plans Keywords thru-hiking, FKT, record-breaking, training, challenges, PCT, Florida Trail, trail running, running, ultrarunning, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, Pacific Northwest Trail, PNT, Fastest Known Time, backpacking, hiking, thru-hiking, challenges, gear, food strategy, book, future plans

Summary The Cocodona 250-mile recap episode. The preparation, the beginning of the race, the middle of the race, and the end of the race. I could not do this without a great crew, pacers, and a great physical therapist on speed dial. Ultrarunning and ultramarathons are really a team sport and a screaming achilles made it even more so. Take a listen in on one of the premiere 200 mile running events and how it went for me from mistakes to triumphs. Also, Aravaipa is simply the best race directing organization. Sound Bites "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was Cocodona." "The mind was dialed and the body was ready to use the bathroom, much like every morning." "The line that's really long is the gear check oops and the tracker line." "We got a Janji runner on the Satisfy instagram BOOM" Takeaways Preparation is key for participating in a 250-mile race The start of the race can be chaotic with long lines and gear checks Aid stations play a crucial role and don't mess them up Challenges such as injuries can arise during the race, but determination and support can help overcome them The camaraderie among runners is a significant aspect of ultra-distance races Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Race Overview 02:02 Preparation and Start of the Race 03:54 Gear Check and Tracker Line 06:10 Strategies and Positioning in the Race 10:22 Dealing with an Achilles Issue 16:11 Challenges and Determination 17:00 The Coca-Cola Bathroom Break 21:00 Making a Mark on the Satisfy Instagram Page 30:00 Dealing with Torn Up Feet in Jerome 34:00 The Final Push and Depletion 43:00 The Finish Line and a Confusing Encounter 48:00 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Keywords Cocodona, 250-mile race, preparation, start, aid stations, challenges, Achilles issue, ultramarthons, trail running,

This is the intro to a big new podcast with me, Jeff Garmire, while I am in the middle of running the Cocodona 250. I share my thoughts on FKTs, trail running, thru-hiking and how I got started with it all, along with too long of a background on me. I tell you how to get into the Barkly Marathons and how to be a faster runner without having to run at all... just kidding. But this is the intro episode with the introduction of a few different stories of my life and please let me know what you would like me to expound upon and talk more about as these episodes keep going. Topics: Thru-hiking, FKTs, and trail running are interconnected sports and power hiking is just walking The journey of self-discovery and personal growth is a significant aspect of outdoor adventures. Having a supportive community and friends who share the same passion can make a difference in achieving goals. Cocodona 250: Conquering the Desert Chasing Fastest Known Times: Pushing the Limits Some special quotes: "I'll be running until like Wednesday." "How the heck did that even start? How did I become a backpacker that trail ran?" "I didn't even know I was a trail runner. I thought to be a trail runner, you had to literally run every step of every outing." Titles Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Preparing for Cocodona 250 08:24 Transition from Thru-Hiking to FKTs 15:12 Becoming a Trail Runner 27:44 Cocodona 250: A Brutal Challenge 32:03 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth