Free Outside

Jeff Garmire

Welcome to "Free Outside," the ultimate podcast for outdoor enthusiasts! Join me, Jeff Garmire, as I blur the lines between trail running, Fastest Known Times (FKTs), thru-hiking, backpacking, and all endurance. With 20 FKTs under my belt, a book, a movie, and plenty of unconventional experiences, I'm here to share my adventures and insights. Expect engaging interviews and fun interactions with guests who excel in various ways. Whether we're discussing the art of slowly running through forests, the thrill of a challenging hike, or simply an appreciator of beauty and comedy, here we are.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Heritage Square Bound: Cocodona 250 Strategy

    In this episode, I’m talking Cocodona 250 with Allison Powell, where things go from “best half marathon ever” to “walking a corpse to the finish line” in about 200 miles. We break down everything that went wrong last year, including cold, sleep mistakes, and just generally making questionable decisions for multiple days straight. Then we get into what we’re changing this time around, from pacing early to rethinking sleep and nutrition. We also solve Cocodona entirely with a new strategy: sleeping one minute every mile. Along the way we cover race strategy, fueling, electrolytes, and why going slower early might actually be the smartest move. If you’re running Cocodona 250, thinking about it, or just want to hear how things can go very wrong over a long distance, this one’s for you. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1hr 3min
  2. 1 APR

    He Trained 9 Miles a Week… Then Became an NCAA Champion. The Eric Jenkins Story

    Eric Jenkins joins the podcast to talk about one of the weirdest things in sports, retiring in your early 30s… and then figuring out what comes next. Follow Eric online: https://www.instagram.com/_ericjenkins/ We get into his career from running 9 miles a week in high school (with snorkel training and backyard workouts) to becoming an NCAA champion and professional runner. Then we talk about the part nobody really prepares you for, what happens when it all ends. We also dive into: Why track struggles to grow compared to other sportsThe Olympic Trials pressure and the “one race” problemHis transition into media and podcastingWhat trail running actually looks like from the outsidePacers in ultras and whether they’re cheating (kind of)Why a 100-mile race might be the hardest thing he’s ever attemptedAnd yes, we try to convince him to run a 100 miler. This one is part running, part life after sport, and part figuring out what to do when your identity changes overnight. Follow Eric's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5aLeFO5zDMcinUfrm8oV?si=0e59984bb5cc4e7d Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1hr 36min
  3. 29 MAR

    What Happens When the Record Slips Away, with Liz Derstine

    Liz Derstine is back on the podcast to talk about her self supported Pacific Crest Trail effort, the highs and lows of going after a huge goal, and the film that came out of it, Ridgeline. We get into brutal desert heat, night hiking, trying to balance daily trail updates with an FKT effort, and what it feels like when a record starts slipping away but you keep pushing anyway. We also talk about the music side of Liz’s life, how she helped shape the soundtrack of the film, what it is like to write for an orchestra, and why hiking and creating art might not be as different as they seem. This one is about follow through, vulnerability, and going for something big even when there is no guarantee it works out. Watch Ridgeline on the Mountain Hardwear YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSWTddKCbf4 Follow Liz online: https://www.instagram.com/pinkfeathers/ Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1hr 9min
  4. 23 MAR

    Brackets Are Cooked. Cocodona Prep Is Heating Up

    March Madness is here… but make it outdoors. We just wrapped round one of Outdoor March Madness and chaos has already taken over. No perfect brackets remain, upsets are happening everywhere, and somehow Nerds Clusters might actually win the whole thing. I break down the biggest results, the closest matchups, and what’s coming next as we head toward the Sweet 16. We also raffle off our first prize (shoutout Robbie), and I explain how YOU can win gear, race entries, and more just by voting. On my end, I’m finally back training after breaking my rib at Barkley Marathons. After nearly four weeks off, I’ve jumped back into big mileage, working toward Cocodona 250. The fitness feels good, the falls do not, and now it’s all about dialing in runnable miles, heat training, and race-specific prep. Topics in this episode: Round 1 Outdoor March Madness results and biggest upsets Why there are zero perfect brackets left Prize raffles and how to win My Cocodona 250 training update post-injury Why I keep falling (seriously, what is going on) Early voting trends for Round 2 Vote on matchups and follow along: freeoutside.com New prizes dropping every round. Your vote actually matters. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    29 min
  5. 19 MAR

    Mike McKnight Is Directing a 200 While Racing Five More

    Mike McKnight is on the Free Outside Podcast, and this one goes all over the place in the best way. We talk about his jump into Hyrox, why it might be more of a runner sport than people think, and what it was like dealing with a brutal back injury that left him unable to run but somehow still riding 200 miles on a bike. https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness We also get into his massive 2026 schedule, including five 200-mile races, Hardrock, and launching the Old Ephraim 200, a race that finishes at the same ski area where he once broke his back. Mike talks about what it takes to get a race permitted, how he thinks about goals across a huge season, why he is not big on pacers, and what actually makes him so good at 200-mile races. Then, naturally, we end up talking about sleep deprivation, childhood farm life, dissociation in ultras, a possible Colorado Trail head-to-head FKT showdown, and Mike’s deep love for the Backstreet Boys. This one is funny, honest, and full of the kind of ultra running rabbit holes I love. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    1hr 5min
  6. 15 MAR

    Two Guys, One Bracket: Bracketology for Outdoor March Madness

    Today I’m introducing something I’ve been putting way too much work into: Outdoor March Madness. Luke Pearsall of Trail Goods Co joins for a Bracketology episode discussing the outdoor march madness bracket. Join for a joke filled episode. Follow Trail Goods Co: https://www.instagram.com/trailgoodscompany It’s a giant bracket where outdoor things go head to head. Trails, gear, snacks, and the things that ruin your day outside. Think Appalachian Trail vs Pacific Crest Trail. Peanut Butter vs Trail Mix. Trekking poles vs Headphones. You fill out a bracket predicting what will win, and then every round the matchups are decided by public voting. There will be prizes, chaos, and probably some very strong opinions. Fill out your bracket here: https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness Vote on the matchups here: https://forms.gle/9DEK6x2iUK4gMzVH9 Let’s see what the outdoor world decides is the ultimate champion. Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

    47 min

About

Welcome to "Free Outside," the ultimate podcast for outdoor enthusiasts! Join me, Jeff Garmire, as I blur the lines between trail running, Fastest Known Times (FKTs), thru-hiking, backpacking, and all endurance. With 20 FKTs under my belt, a book, a movie, and plenty of unconventional experiences, I'm here to share my adventures and insights. Expect engaging interviews and fun interactions with guests who excel in various ways. Whether we're discussing the art of slowly running through forests, the thrill of a challenging hike, or simply an appreciator of beauty and comedy, here we are.

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