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 sports
• The Olympic Trials pressure and the “one race” problem
• His transition into media and podcasting
• What trail running actually looks like from the outside
• Pacers in ultras and whether they’re cheating (kind of)
• Why a 100-mile race might be the hardest thing he’s ever attempted

And 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

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

Allison is back and we cover a ton in this one. Will Peterson is officially going after the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT, so we talk about what it is like when someone comes for your record and how different people approach these huge trail efforts. We also get into Cocodona 250 strategy, race-day chaos, pacing, heat, and how not to implode over 250 miles. Then we hit the running news, including the World Indoor Championships, Josh Kerr vs Cole Hocker, Cooper Lutkenhaus announcing himself to the world at 17, and Mondo continuing to be ridiculous. Also, yes, there is a lot of discussion about falling down and bleeding in public. It is that kind of episode

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