Mac, the creator of Halfway Anywhere and the annual PCT Thru-Hiker Survey, joins the show to talk about hiking Corsica’s GR20, how the Pacific Crest Trail has changed, and whether modern thru-hiking has lost some of its mystery.

We compare our experiences on the GR20, including huts, snow, intense heat, crowded trails, French hiking culture and the unexpected luxury of buying sandwiches in the mountains. Then we dig into the evolution of the PCT, from paper maps and hitchhiking to FarOut comments, scheduled rides, heavier gear and thru-hikes that now average around $10,000 to $11,000.

Mac also shares how Halfway Anywhere became his full-time work, what more than a decade of PCT survey data reveals about backpacking gear, why experienced adventurers have to work harder to find the unknown, and what he is planning next in Japan.

Before the interview, I recap running an 18:52 5K in Crocs and explain why the weird goals nobody else understands can sometimes be the most meaningful.

Learn more from Mac at Halfway Anywhere: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

One year after standing on Katahdin wondering if I even had a chance, I finally sat down to break down exactly how I trained for the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT.

In this episode, I go through the numbers, the workouts, the training camps, and the philosophy that helped me prepare for 45 straight days on the trail. It's less about one magic workout and more about building durability, confidence, and giving yourself a chance.

After that, I'm doing something a little different.

I'm playing the newest episode of Free Inside, the new podcast Allison and I started together. We talk about strange ultrarunning stories, Rube Waddell, mysterious Oakville Blobs, relay races, the Teton Crest Trail, hallucinations, and plenty of other random things that somehow make sense to us.

🎬 Appalachian Trail Film will premiere on August 27th in Bozeman!

➡️ https://partiful.com/e/FwwSWZwK7q3KoZsS3tFK?

Youtube Channel for the August 28th Premiere

https://youtube.com/@freeoutside?si=pMVoBdiYC05XsLKj

📖 Training Article / Substack

➡️ http://freeoutside.substack.com/

🎙️ Free Inside

➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/033Pwij3Why0tydLeZPnMz?si=7498b342f9b7450c

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

I met Mike Kratzer at the Zugspitze 100 after organizers turned our 100-mile race into a 100K just hours before the start. Somewhere between sharing a helmet that I never ended up using, surviving the German heat, and talking after the race, I realized Mike had something that draws people in.

In this episode we talk about why positivity isn't fake, why you don't need a dramatic life event to make a change, how social media creates pressure that often comes from ourselves, and why the best adventures usually start by simply heading in the right direction instead of finding the perfect path.

We also dive into:

Why Mike quit drinking without hitting "rock bottom"

Building authentic community through running

The evolution of trail running media

Speed Project stories

Why comparison steals joy

The psychology of trail conversations

Choosing the life you actually want instead of the one people expect

Whether you're a runner or not, this conversation is really about permission: permission to change, permission to be yourself, and permission to chase the things that matter to you.

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected]

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Every weekend it feels like another record falls.

This week we're diving into one of the biggest stretches of performances trail running has seen in years. We break down Max Jolliffe and Carmen Pérez's record-setting runs at Badwater 135, Aurélien Sanchez's Pacific Crest Trail FKT, Josh Kerr's incredible mile world record, and what all of it says about where endurance sports are heading.

We also talk about London's move to a two-day marathon, why FKTs continue to grow around the world, the culture surrounding iconic routes like the Bob Graham Round and GR20, and whether supported FKTs are becoming an entirely different discipline.

Finally, we tackle the biggest topic in trail running right now: doping. Recent controversies have raised difficult questions about education, race organizers, governing bodies, and what clean competition should look like as the sport continues to grow.

A fun conversation that starts with record-breaking performances... and somehow ends with bobbleheads.

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Western States made Canyon Woodward one of the top ultrarunners in America—but that's only part of his story.

Before earning a top-10 finish at Western States, Canyon spent years organizing political campaigns in rural communities, helping flip a state senate seat through a 100% positive campaign, and learning how meaningful change happens one conversation at a time.

In this episode, we talk about far more than racing. We discuss why community keeps us coming back to the trails, what endurance sports and organizing have in common, growing up in the remote mountain community of Stehekin, dealing with imposter syndrome, finding optimism in difficult times, and why shared experiences matter more than ever.

If you've ever wondered whether running can teach us something about life beyond the finish line, this conversation is for you.

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

This week is a little different.

We catch up on everything happening in the trail running world, from Greybeard's incredible Appalachian Trail attempt and the latest Pacific Crest Trail FKT chase to Josh Kerr's mile world record, Hardrock discussion, and why America's public lands matter so much.

Then we shift gears into something I've wanted to share for a while: my favorite hitchhiking stories from my month in Europe. From tiny Corsican villages and mountain roads to unexpected breakfasts with strangers, language barriers, and rides that could have gone horribly wrong (but thankfully didn't), these are some of the funniest and most memorable moments from the trip.

Hope you enjoy this more laid-back episode.

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Sports nutrition has never been more confusing.

One day carbs are the enemy. The next day protein is the answer to everything. Every week there's a new supplement, a new study, or another influencer promising the next breakthrough.

So how do endurance athletes separate good science from good marketing?

This week I'm joined by Kylie Van Horn, sports dietitian and author of *Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes*, along with Zoe Rome, science communicator and co-host of the *Your Diet Sucks* podcast.

We dive into:

* Why nutrition advice online is so confusing

* Protein, carbs, and whether you're actually eating enough

* The truth about creatine, ketones, bicarb, and supplements

* How to think about fueling instead of following trends

* Weight loss and performance in endurance sports

* Plant-based diets for runners

* Why optimization can actually make running less enjoyable

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

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected]

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

After wrapping up my month in Europe, I thought the adventure was over. Instead, it ended with a wildfire blocking my route through the Pyrenees, hitchhiking across Spain, a Tour de France road closure, and enough ticks to send me to the doctor with a Lyme disease scare. I start this episode by sharing how the final days of the trip unfolded and what I've been dealing with since getting home.

Then I sit down with Hunter Macy, the founder of Rendezvu, to talk about one of the biggest problems in trail running and outdoor sports: figuring out what gear actually works. We discuss authentic gear recommendations, athlete-brand relationships, AI, entrepreneurship, and why the future of outdoor gear may look very different than today's sponsored posts and scattered gear lists.

Topics include:

My final days hiking in the Pyrenees

Wildfires, hitchhiking, and travel chaos

The Lyme disease scare after Europe

Why gear reviews are so difficult to trust

How Rendezvu is connecting athletes, brands, and real gear recommendations

Building a startup in the outdoor industry

Where trail running gear is headed next

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected]

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Welcome to the very first episode of **Free Inside**.

This is our new weekly show where we sit down with no guests, no script, and no real agenda—just whatever we've been thinking about, experiencing, or laughing about that week.

In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, recap Allison's fixed-time race win and immediate decision to sign up for a 200-miler, talk about why fixed-time races deserve more love, share recent bear encounters and European adventures, answer some very questionable soccer questions, and somehow end up debating what Jeff should wear to our wedding.

We're excited to see what this show becomes, and we're glad you're here from the beginning.

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

After hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and racing the Zugspitz 100K, I flew to Corsica for one final adventure: the GR20, often called the hardest long-distance trail in Europe.

I expected another scenic alpine trek. Instead, I found endless scrambling, brutal climbs, snowfields, technical descents, and some of the most rewarding mountain scenery I've ever experienced. Along the way I hitchhiked across Corsica, swam in alpine pools during a European heat wave, got sick halfway through the hike, learned why everyone fears this trail, and discovered that sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the terrain—it's stepping into the unknown.

In this episode I share what makes the GR20 so difficult, what surprised me most about Corsica, how I completed the route in 4½ days, and why this month of solo travel has been about much more than backpacking.

Topics include:

* What makes the GR20 so infamous

* Backpacking through Corsica's mountains

* Refugios, bivouacs, and trail logistics

* Hiking northbound instead of southbound

* Technical terrain, snowfields, and massive climbs

* Hitchhiking, language barriers, and travel lessons

* Why doing uncomfortable things builds confidence

If you've ever wondered whether the GR20 deserves its reputation—or you've been looking for your next big adventure—this episode is for you.

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

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected]

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure