Free Outside

In this episode, I answer questions from my Instagram followers, diving into topics like fast-packing gear, the thrill of ultra running, and the challenges of financing race participation. I share personal stories from my adventures on the trail, talk about my offseason training strategies, and reflect on the fears and challenges I face while hiking. The conversation is packed with humor and insights, making it a great listen for outdoor enthusiasts and aspiring ultra runners.

takeaways

Sound bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Audience Engagement

02:44 The Adventure of Ultra Running

06:35 Financing Race Participation

11:14 Offseason Training Strategies

14:58 Fears and Challenges on the Trail

19:00 Humorous Hiking Anecdotes

In this conversation, I talk with Allison Powell, my girlfriend and the winner of the Divide 200 about her journey from a casual runner to an ultra marathoner, detailing her experiences with training, racing, and the mental and physical challenges she faced during the Divide 200 race. She discusses the importance of nutrition, the role of support crews, and the lessons learned from her experiences. Allison also reflects on his future plans in ultra running and her interests outside of running, including community building and creative arts.

Follow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhpowell/?hl=en

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Running Journey

03:08 Transition to Ultra Running

05:54 Training for 200-Mile Races

08:48 The Divide 200 Experience

11:45 Mental Challenges During the Race

14:50 Overcoming Physical Pain and Adversity

18:06 The Role of Support and Crew

20:58 Final Push to the Finish Line

23:53 Reflections on Training and Nutrition

26:51 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Ultra Runners

30:04 Personal Interests Beyond Running

In this conversation, I share my preparation for the Grand to Grand stage race, diving into the logistics, nutrition, gear, and mindset needed for such an endurance event. I emphasize the importance of meticulous planning, especially when it comes to managing food intake over the long stages. One of the unique aspects I'm looking forward to is experiencing a phone detox during the race, disconnecting from the constant noise and focusing entirely on the experience.

Reflecting on my past adventures, I realize how much they've shaped my approach to this race. This time, I'm aiming to enjoy the journey itself rather than obsess over results. It's about being present, tackling the challenges as they come, and savoring the excitement of this new adventure.

takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Preparing for the Grand to Grand Stage Race

14:59 Nutrition and Gear Planning for Endurance Racing

21:48 Logistics and Mindset for the Race Adventure

In this episode, I share my recent adventure crewing Allison at a 200-mile race in Canada. I talk about my experiences as a crew member, the challenges we faced during the race, and the unique interactions with Canadian culture. I highlight the camaraderie of ultra running, the beauty of the Canadian landscape, and the humorous moments that arise during such intense events. I also reflect on the lessons I learned and the joy of being part of the outdoor community.

takeaways

The Divide 200 race is a challenging ultra marathon.

Crewing requires a lot of guesswork and preparation.

Canadian culture is characterized by kindness and humor.

Pacing is an essential role in ultra running.

Communication can be difficult in remote areas.

The experience of crewing can be both rewarding and exhausting.

Runners often face unexpected challenges during races.

The camaraderie among runners and crews is invaluable.

Cultural interactions can add a unique flavor to adventures.

Post-race reflections are important for personal growth.

Sound Bites

"The race couldn't go into BC because..."

"I went to the sauna two times..."

"Canada is full of great sayings..."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Canadian Adventure

04:48 The Divide 200 Race Experience

10:02 Crewing and Pacing Insights

15:01 Canadian Culture and Interactions

19:59 Challenges Faced During the Race

24:57 The Finish Line and Reflections

30:03 Post-Race Adventures and Ticket Incident

keywords

Canada, Divide 200, ultra running, crewing, pacing, Canadian culture, race experience, outdoor adventure, hiking, endurance sports, comedy

In this conversation, I talk about my approach to taking on new challenges and the importance of trying new things. I share my training methods for different seasons, like skate skiing in the winter and focusing on strength and sauna training in the spring. I also dive into my experience running the Cocodona 250, where I had some issues with my Achilles tendon but pushed through to finish. For me, it's all about balance, adaptation, and finding enjoyment in the process of pursuing goals.

I also discuss my experiences with injuries, my podcast, and my recent adventures on the Montana Meltdown and the Tahoe Rim Trail. I touch on the importance of doing PT exercises, the mindset that comes with fastpacking, and the value of embracing challenges and taking risks. My storytelling style, with its candid and humorous approach, keeps things engaging and relatable throughout the conversation.

Check out Chad Lubinski's show, the home of the original content

And Chad on Instagram

takeaways

-Don't be afraid to try new things and take on new challenges, even if you think you might fail.

-Adapt your training methods based on the season and your goals.

-Finding balance between different activities and training types can help prevent burnout.

-Sauna training can be beneficial for heat acclimation and overall health.

-Perseverance and problem-solving are key when facing obstacles during races or other pursuits.

-Enjoyment and engagement in the process are important for long-term motivation and success. Consistent PT exercises can help prevent long-term injuries.

-Fastpacking is about maximizing time between destinations and enjoying the journey.

-Embracing challenges and taking risks can lead to personal growth and memorable experiences.

-Failures are a natural part of life and should not deter one from trying new things.

Sound Bites

"Even if you're nervous or you think you might fail, it's always way better to just go and give it a shot."

"Winter is where you can really level up your fitness game in the sense of raise that aerobic ceiling."

"Sauna is like the magic thing."

"Do your PT exercises. They actually work."

"Fixed time races are really cool and engaging."

"Fastpacking is like the best of both worlds."

Chapters

00:00 Embracing New Challenges and Overcoming Fear of Failure

04:19 Seasonal Training Methods: From Skate Skiing to Strength Training

17:49 Sauna Training for Heat Acclimation and Overall Health

22:37 The Cocodona 250 Experience: Perseverance and Problem-Solving

26:30 Finding Balance and Enjoyment in Pursuing Goals

26:58 Overcoming Injuries and the Importance of PT Exercises

31:03 The Mindset of Fastpacking: Maximizing Time and Enjoying the Journey

36:02 Embracing Challenges and Taking Risks

48:39 Learning from Failures and Trying New Things

I want to share the story of my experience at the Wasatch 100 race, where I ultimately had to DNF due to both physical and mental health issues. Leading up to the race, I faced several challenges, including a friend dropping out as my pacer and feeling sick beforehand. During the race, I battled a high heart rate, breathing difficulties, and intense headaches. Despite my efforts to stay positive and adjust my goals, my condition continued to worsen, and I eventually experienced panic attacks and vomiting. In the end, I made the tough decision to DNF at mile 56. It's disappointing, but I'm reflecting on the importance of trusting my body again.

takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Wasatch 100 and the First DNF

03:00 The First Signs of Trouble: Bathroom Issues and a Bad Attitude

05:02 Managing the Pace and Heart Rate on the Course

08:00 Struggling with Headaches, Breathing, and Heart Rate

13:32 Continuing with the Race: Topical Cooling and Adjusting Strategies

16:19 Worsening Symptoms and the Decision to DNF

29:34 Seeking Medical Help and Reflecting on the Experience

36:38 Looking Ahead: Recovering and Moving Forward

I am racing Wasatch 100 miler, so in this episode, I sit down with Joe Corcione to dive deep into the mindset and strategies that go into running a 100-mile race. We talk about the importance of finishing, even when things don't go as planned, because it's in those tough moments that we build resilience and belief in ourselves. Joe and I cover everything from pre-race prep—like resting the mind and setting intentions—to the race itself, where pacing and celebrating small wins become key.

In this conversation, I discuss the concept of tapering in running, share my personal tapering strategies, and provide tips for preparing for a race or FKT (Fastest Known Time). I also emphasize the importance of having a crew plan, visualizing the race, and making decisions ahead of time.

I highlight the variability of tapering and encourage athletes to find what works best for them. I conclude by mentioning taper tantrums and the need to stay consistent with hydration and nutrition during the taper period.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Explanation of Tapering

02:28 Personal Tapering Strategies

06:11 The Importance of a Crew Plan

09:28 Visualization and Mental Preparation

13:38 Consistency in Hydration and Nutrition

24:22 Dealing with Taper Tantrums

takeaways

Sound Bites

Keywords: tapering, running, race preparation, crew plan, visualization, decision-making, hydration, nutrition

In this episode of the Free Outside podcast, I’m sharing my experience on the Ruby Crest Trail with Airborne, a stunning 74-mile journey through Nevada’s rugged Ruby Mountains. The trail offers incredible views, from jagged peaks to expansive valleys. But it wasn’t all easy—unexpected snowfall added a serious challenge to the hike, making it both more difficult and more memorable.

takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

02:23 Hiking the Ruby Crest Trail

14:59 Challenges and Unexpected Snowfall

19:04 Repeating Miles and Recommendations

25:29 Conclusion and Fantasy Football Draft

Ruby Crest Trail, hiking, Wind River Range, scenery, challenges, snowfall, fantasy football draft, Wasatch 100

A listener asked, so I answered. In this episode, I dive into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely essential topic of wag bags—those portable, sanitary bags we use to pack out human waste in the great outdoors. But don’t worry, I add my own humor and opinions to keep it interesting! Wag bags play a crucial role in responsible outdoor adventure, helping to keep our trails clean. I throw in some wag bag jokes, explore their history and evolution, and emphasize the importance of packing out toilet paper. And of course, I wrap things up with a few wag bag puns for good measure. Tune in for a fun and informative discussion that might just change the way you think about your next bathroom break in the wild!

takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Topic Suggestion

02:24 What is a Wag Bag?

05:43 Benefits and Uses of Wag Bags

08:04 Wag Bags and Leave No Trace Principles

10:28 Packing Out Wag Bags: A Responsible Practice

19:26 History and Evolution of Wag Bags

23:39 Packing Out Toilet Paper

27:01 Wag Bag Puns and Conclusion