After 45 days of hiking, hobbling, and setting a new Appalachian Trail self-supported record, I’m back—barely running, barely sleeping, and somehow still full of opinions. In this episode of the Free Outside Show, I break down the Chicago Marathon broadcast (and the glorious chaos of local news), talk about rebuilding a body that forgot what running is, and share the weird post-FKT side effects—from Christmas toes to an over-eager bladder.

I cover what it means to start over, why my calves hate me, and how patience might just be the secret to my next comeback. Plus, a few updates: future FKTs, Javelina Jundrid plans, and why the Janji kit I wore for 2,200 miles is headed for shrine status.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chicago Marathon

05:52 Post-Marathon Reflections and Body Changes

11:40 Future Plans and Rebuilding Phase

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Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

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It’s a full plate this week on The Free Outside Show. I’m diving into Terminus Season—that bittersweet time when thru-hikers take the photo, post it, and wonder what’s next. Then we get into Trail TMZ, where a defamation lawsuit is brewing, and I try not to get sued for talking about it.

From there, we climb the philosophical peaks of Richard Feynman, Christopher McCandless, and Killian Jornet, somehow connecting it all back to neuromas, the UTMB money machine, and why you should just do the thing—even if nobody understands it.

There’s science (a running study that might change how you train), there’s gossip (Wikipedia wars are back), and there’s reflection (because post-trail life is weird).

As always—stay mid-America, stay elite, and remember: nothing matters, but also everything does.

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Chapters

00:00 Observations on Social Interactions

02:36 Navigating Post-Adventure Challenges

05:44 The Dynamics of Ultra Running Events

08:29 Understanding Terminus Season and Post-Trail Transition

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

Fresh off my self-supported AT record, I sit down with 2013 AT self-supported FKT holder Matt Kirk to talk about the weird gravity of post-trail depression, the long arc of the record from Ward Leonard to Stringbean to Tara, and where the line is with tech, tracking, and “help” on a self-supported effort. We dig into calories gone wrong (why 3,500/day failed), Shenandoah as a quiet crux, trail magic ethics, and why simplicity might be the best rule we have left. Matt shares the origin story of SCAR, naming it, and—plot twist—how he met his wife on the AT. I share some nuts and bolts from my run (18 mail drops, ~12 power banks, and way too much battery anxiety), and we both argue for screen-free campfire vibes and keeping the culture alive while the times keep dropping.

If you’re into FKTs, thru-hiking history, or just need a blueprint for surviving the “now what?” after a big goal, this one’s for you.

Check out Matt Kirk online:

His Blog: https://matthewkirk.blogspot.com/

His Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrGFci8u_goKfnP8PqkaLA

Donate to the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6530749

Chapters

00:00 Post-Hike Transition and Emotional Challenges

02:40 Caloric Miscalculations and Preparation for FKT

05:31 Evolution of FKT Records and Technological Advances

08:21 The Impact of Previous Record Holders

10:48 Guidelines for Self-Supported Hiking

13:28 Documenting the Journey: Technology and Tracking

16:21 The Balance of Simplicity and Validation in Records

19:02 Reflections on the Future of FKT Attempts

27:13 Navigating Resupply Challenges

32:58 Mental Strategies for Endurance

37:13 The Importance of Reflection

41:06 Journey into Ultrarunning and FKTs

51:09 The Cost of Technology in Hiking

54:15 Navigating Technology and Safety on the Trail

56:42 The Impact of Technology on Hiking Culture

01:00:18 The Balance of Trail Magic and Self-Sufficiency

01:05:01 Personal Stories: Meeting on the Trail

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