I have a huge announcement. The Free Outside Outdoor March Madness Bracket is live.

https://www.freeoutside.com/outdoor-march-madness

Go to freeoutside.com and fill out your bracket to predict which outdoor things will win head-to-head matchups all month long. Trails, snacks, gear, and trail problems will face off until we crown a champion.

Follow Cody Taylor online: https://www.instagram.com/codytaylorperformance

You can vote in each matchup as the rounds progress, track the leaderboard, and enter raffles for prizes along the way. We’re giving away race entries, gear, gift cards, and more.

Some example matchups include things like:

• Appalachian Trail vs Timberline Trail

• Peanut M&Ms vs Running Gels

• Blisters vs Mosquitoes

• Gear battles and trail legends

Brackets close Wednesday March 18 at midnight MST, and voting continues through early April.

Go submit your bracket and start voting:

freeoutside.com

Episode

Today on the Free Outside Podcast I talk with Cody Taylor, who has been diving deep into the world of unsupported long-distance trail adventures.

Cody went from starting running during the pandemic to taking on massive unsupported efforts like:

• The Bruce Trail (900 km)

• The International Appalachian Trail

• Planning an unsupported out-and-back of Vermont’s Long Trail

We talk about what it takes to go hundreds of miles completely unsupported, including gear, food planning, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the mental side of long solo efforts.

Cody also shares his story of going from touring drummer to endurance athlete, building a coaching business with his wife, and why doing hard things in the wilderness can completely change how you see everyday life.

It’s a fun conversation about pushing limits, learning the hard way, and figuring things out one long trail at a time.

Sponsors

Janji

Check out the gear I use from Janji, including the AFO shorts and 2-in-1 shorts with great pockets.

Visit janji.com

Garage Grown Gear

Everything you need for trail running, backpacking, and thru-hiking.

Check them out at garagegrowngear.com

Sawyer

Known for their water filters like the Sawyer Squeeze, but also their Stay Put sunscreen, which lasts all day on long runs and hikes.

More Free Outside

Website: freeoutside.com

Newsletter: freeoutside.substack.com

Patreon: patreon.com/freeoutside

You can also watch the film about my unsupported Colorado Trail FKT on Tubi.

Chapters

00:00 Outdoor March Madness

05:00 Cody Taylor's Journey into Endurance Running

08:00 Transition from Musician to Endurance Athlete

11:00 The Challenges of Unsupported Adventures

13:48 Mental Preparation and Coping Strategies

16:54 Nutrition and Gear for Long Trails

19:47 Experiences with Hallucinations and Wildlife

22:45 Exploring the Bruce Trail

25:40 Strengths and Future Projects

40:23 Overcoming Challenges in FKT Attempts

46:00 Training Philosophy: Grease the Groove

50:34 Cody's Journey: From Hockey to Drumming

55:12 Canadian Childhood and the Love for Hockey

01:00:26 Building a Business Together

01:06:51 Future Aspirations and Coaching Philosophy

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