In this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by Allison Powell, who turned her Cocodona 250 into a full-blown cinematic universe—with costumes, movie soundtracks, and a race plan inspired by Galaxy Quest, Dune, Game of Thrones, Mad Max, Star Wars, and Doctor Who. But when hail, hypothermia, and mud rivers entered the plot, the script changed fast.

We dive into Allison’s brilliant and brutal journey through sleep-deprivation, pacer therapy sessions, medical alerts, and the art of holding hands on trail. This is one of the most insightful, entertaining, and emotionally raw Cocodona 250 recaps out there. Whether you're chasing 250 miles or just curious how a Dune mindset breaks down in a thunderstorm, this one’s a wild ride.

We talk about:

-How movie themes shaped her race mindset

-The sleep deprivation spiral and when it became dangerous

-Her learning curve with layering, eating, and letting go of rigid plans

-The power of responsive crew support

-Why she's going back for more—and doing it for public lands

Follow Alison's writing: AllisonHardingPowell.substack.com

Support her Runners for Public Lands fundraiser for 2026 Cocodona!

Follow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhpowell

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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 [email protected]

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

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Chapters

00:00 Race Planning and Themes

01:05 The Race Begins: Galaxy Quest and Dune

03:47 Crown King and the Importance of Mindset

06:28 Game of Thrones: Nighttime Challenges

09:38 Mingus Mountain: The Struggles of Sleep Deprivation

12:19 Jerome and the Quest for Rest

15:00 Sedona: The Turning Point

18:03 The Final Stretch: Overcoming Obstacles

27:05 The Struggles of the Hangover Trail

30:15 Facing Exhaustion and Frustration

33:27 Medical Concerns and Hypothermia

36:35 The Importance of Sleep in Ultra Running

41:33 Lessons Learned from the Race

44:33 The Final Push to the Finish Line

48:06 Reflections and Future Plans