Western States may be the most iconic race in ultrarunning—but it also comes with carnage, heartbreak, and a pile of DNS and DNF drama. In this episode, I’m joined by the always-entertaining Allison Mercer (of FastestKnownTime.com) to break down the storylines, the runners who didn’t make it to the start line, and wild ideas to spice up the sport (spoiler: mile-seeding starts for elites?).
We also dive into the FKT world—John Kelly’s latest madness, what’s changing in the scene, and why FKTs still matter. Plus, I give a quick life update because I’m moving out, living out of a storage unit, and heading out for an Appalachian Trail FKT attempt.
Big thanks to our sponsors:
🩳 Janji – Great sun hoodies, shorts, and gear. Use code freeoutside for a discount (let me know what you get!).
☕ CS Instant Coffee – Freeze-dried and trail ready.
🎒 Garage Grown Gear – Your one-stop shop for small-business adventure supplies.
Share the episode, leave a review, and help support the chaos. Stay elite, my friends.
Chapters
00:00 In Memoriam: The Unbreakable List
02:05 The Impact of Social Media on Performance
04:58 The Women's Field: Intriguing Storylines
07:46 The Men's Field: A New Dynamic
10:48 The Role of Coaches and Competitors
13:54 Heat Training and Its Influence
16:54 Predictions for the Race
19:53 The Unsung Heroes of Coverage
22:41 Final Thoughts and Predictions
33:32 The Rising Stars of Trail Running
34:47 Analyzing the Men's Field Dynamics
37:13 Des Linden: The Most Valuable Pacer
40:26 Women Transitioning from Road to Trail
42:28 The Importance of Recovery in Ultra Running
48:50 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes
53:02 John Kelly's FKT Attempt: A Community Effort
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