Welcome to Trail TMZ, the spicy trail running news breakdown you didn’t know you needed. I’m Jeff Garmire, and this week I dive into the carnage at Western States—Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks are out, and so is the “Unbreakable 2” film project (yes, really). I give my unfiltered take on why that matters, how storytelling in our sport is being fumbled, and why it’s time for trail films to embrace the chaos instead of bailing when stars drop.

Then, things heat up with Camille Herron’s cryptic Instagram post—where she dubs herself a sports whistleblower. What’s the truth? What’s hearsay? I break it down and talk about the real harm of social media call-outs in a sport that needs clarity more than confusion.

Next up, we’ve got controversy at Black Canyon 100K involving Aravaipa Running, unauthorized aid, course-cutting, and a 20-minute penalty that turned into a full DQ. Is it a conflict of interest if a team athlete breaks the rules? I was there filming and have thoughts.

And finally, we talk about how college athletics might implode thanks to SEC Football drama—and what that means for the future of running programs and the next generation of trail and ultra athletes.

This episode has drama, nuance, hot takes, and just enough sarcasm to get me in trouble again.

Chapters

00:00 Western States Controversies and Unbreakable 2

04:16 Camille Herron: The Sports Whistleblower

10:01 Aravaipa Running: Cheating Allegations and Controversy

15:24 The Future of College Sports and Its Impact on Running

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I sit down with Coree Woltering—pro athlete for Merrell, Janji, and Smartwool—for a raw and hilarious conversation about his redemption at the Cocodona 250. From being the very first person to drop out of the inaugural race to finishing it five years later, Coree shares the highs, lows, and muddy middle miles of his journey.

We talk about impromptu race entries (Venmoed Southern States 200), wild hallucinations, ankle weirdness, and what happens when your crew gets stranded with a flat tire halfway through a 250-mile race. Coree also opens up about finding joy in ultra-distance running, managing a team for Merrell, and his ambitious upcoming plans—including an Appalachian Trail FKT attempt and maybe even Moab 240.

Follow Coree online: https://www.instagram.com/coreewoltering

Chapters

00:00 Corey Woltering's Journey Begins

02:45 Redemption at Cocodona

06:01 Lessons from Southern States

08:52 The Start of Cocodona 2023

12:07 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Adventure

15:05 The Pacer Experience

18:01 Unexpected Setbacks

21:08 The Descent into Jerome

24:09 The Hangover Trail Experience

34:40 The Journey of Social Media in Ultra Running

37:37 Experiencing the Highs and Lows of Endurance Racing

39:29 The Breakdown: Mental and Physical Challenges

42:44 Crew Dynamics and Support in Ultra Events

45:37 Navigating the Final Stretch: The Last Marathon

49:41 The Finish Line Experience: Quiet Triumphs

53:47 Reflections on Future Races and Goals

56:38 The Evolution of an Ultra Runner: From Triathlons to Ultra Events

01:00:36 Athlete Management: Bridging Experience and Brand Needs

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Today’s episode starts off with something I might just turn into a regular segment: Trail TMZ. We dig into the controversy surrounding William Goodge's run across Australia and the data that has people wondering—from heart rate anomalies to 55 mph GPS spikes. Then we take a brief detour into the Camille Herron Wikipedia saga and my lingering sadness that she never came on the show.

But the real highlight is a deep conversation with Aaron Fleisher, a fellow five-time Cocodona 250 finisher. We talk about his journey from stage racing and thru-hiking into the world of 200s, and how he found success (and beer) on trail. We get into hallucination stories, racing strategies, sleep theories, and the evolution of Cocodona over the past five years. Plus, Aaron breaks down his experience at Tour de Géants and what it’s like to compete in a race that makes U.S. ultras look like casual jogs.

We wrap up with some trail name lore (“Food Boobs,” and "Loophole") and ponder how Cocodona became the most community-embraced ultra in the U.S. Oh, and yes—there might be a bumper sticker involved that says "Cocodona sucks, tell your friends."

Follow Aaron online: https://www.instagram.com/mittenmadness/

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Chapters

00:00 – Trail TMZ: Goodge, Cockrell & the Controversy

03:30 – Camille Herron, Wikipedia & Podcast Rejections

06:00 – Introducing Aaron Fleisher & Cocodona Beginnings

10:00 – Beer, Sandals & Surviving the Inaugural Year

14:00 – Sleep, Strategy & Hallucinations at 200 Milers

19:00 – Through-Hiking Mentality in Ultras

23:00 – Tour des Géants: Europe’s Wildest Ultra

28:00 – Cultural Clash & Why Tour Felt Life-Changing

32:00 – Cocodona’s Future & Becoming a Community Race

36:00 – Trail Names, Reflections & Last Person Standing

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Keywords

Cocodona 250, ultrarunning, trail running, 200 mile race, Jeff Garmire, Aaron Fleisher, Free Outside Podcast, thru hiking, Tour des Geants, Tour de Glaciers, ultramarathon, trail TMZ, William Gooch, running across Australia, watchmuling, heart rate zone, hallucinations ultrarunning, beer mile, food boobs, trail names, Aravaipa Running, Cocodona recap, trail race strategy, sleep in ultras, ultra running controversy, elite trail running, long distance running, through hiker mindset, adventure racing, Grand to Grand, 200 milers, ultra endurance, running gossip

I sit down with Kevin Russ—board game designer, iPhone photography legend, thru hiker, and freshly minted Cocodona 250 finisher. We dive into Kevin’s wild journey from shooting landscapes with just his phone to creating successful board games, and now, tackling 200+ mile races. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of Cocodona, the moments that tested him most, and the role his crew played in getting him to the finish. We also explore how creativity overlaps with endurance and what’s next for Kevin in both ultra running and game design.

Check out Kevin on the internet:

Website: https://www.kevinruss.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinruss/

Check out his board Game: https://amzn.to/3ZpJ0HT

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00:00 The Rise of an iPhone Photographer

04:03 From Photography to Through Hiking

06:26 Transitioning to Ultra Running

09:19 Preparing for Cocodona 250

12:05 Training Challenges and the Chipotle Challenge

14:45 Cocodona 250: The Race Begins

17:26 Weather Challenges and Mindset Shifts

20:23 The Role of Crew and Support

22:53 Capturing the Journey on Camera

24:14 Navigating Sleep Deprivation

26:57 Injuries and Mental Resilience

29:18 The Role of Pacers and Crew Support

30:27 Facing Challenges in the Final Stretch

35:18 Reflections on the Race Experience

37:14 Future Plans and Training Insights

39:46 Hallucinations and the Nature of Endurance

41:09 Underrated Natural Beauty in the U.S.

43:04 The Journey into Board Game Design

45:48 Launching a Board Game

48:28 The Board Game Convention Experience

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Today we have one of the most inspiring runners I know—Jennie Chisholm. She’s a mom of four boys, a Triple Crowner, and a two-time Cocodona 250 finisher. But she didn’t find ultrarunning the usual way. She stumbled into it—literally—on a whim while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.

She tells the incredible story of how her family went from watching Cocodona as curious hikers to toeing the start line with hand-me-down running vests and brand-new shoes. We talk about how her sons became ultrarunners, what it’s like racing 250 miles while constantly worrying about your kids (who are also racing), and the chaos of coordinating multiple crews and pacers as a full-on family affair.

She shares the highs and heartbreaking lows from this year’s Cocodona—dealing with sickness, hypothermia, and emotional breakdowns on the trail, all while pushing through to the finish herself. We also dive into training, nutrition (or the lack thereof), trail names, and how thru-hiking helped shape her kids into some of the toughest young runners in the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jenny Chisholm's Journey

03:10 The Accidental Entry into Cocodona

05:59 Family Dynamics in Ultra Running

09:06 Logistics of Racing as a Family

11:52 Challenges Faced During the Race

15:05 The Emotional Toll of DNFing

17:56 Finding Focus Amidst Chaos

21:00 The Role of Family Support

23:52 Reflections on the Race Experience

39:33 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Racing

48:12 Navigating Nutrition and Training Challenges

55:02 Building Confidence Through Thru-Hiking

01:01:08 The Future of Family Adventures

01:09:31 Embracing the Journey and Lessons Learned

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This week, I scrapped the pre-recorded episode I had ready to go and decided to hit record and talk live—from the post-Cocodona haze. After five finishes at Cocodona 250, I figured it was time to finally answer the question: Should you sign up for Cocodona? I break down what it really takes to toe that start line, what happens in the mid-pack where most of us live for days on end, and why finishing should always mean more than your pace chart or Instagram recap.

This year, things went sideways. COVID showed up early (for me and, unfortunately, my whole crew), and I had to go deep into my why just to keep moving. I talk about that, how my mindset has shifted, the myth of “self-supported” Cocodona, and how this race is more about soul-searching than splits.

There’s also some advice on how to register, a behind-the-scenes look at Golden Hour, a possibly meth-themed aid station (yep), and what keeps me coming back year after year. I also rant (gently) about influencer culture, read some of your reviews, and shout out my amazing crew, my favorite Janji gear, and the community that makes this wild desert dream possible.

If you’re on the fence about Cocodona, this is the episode for you. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s my fifth year of running straight into the unknown.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cocodona 250

02:53 The Mindset Behind Endurance Racing

06:11 Strategies for Signing Up and Preparing

08:52 The Reality of Support in Ultra Running

12:09 The Adventure of Cocodona 250

14:57 Golden Hour and the Emotional Finish

17:47 Reflections on the Experience

21:02 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

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The crazy story of my fifth finish at Cocodona 250. This year was full of surprises — I ran with a sickness, hallucinated witches and aliens, battled rain, hail, and mud, and somehow kept going with the help of an incredible crew.

I break down the highs and lows, from brain fog and rolled ankles to a bobcat sighting, and even the odd gear fix that saved the day (hint: Vagisil).

If you’re into ultrarunning, trail running, or just want to hear about pushing through 250 miles of chaos, this episode is full of stories, lessons, and plenty of humor.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cocodona 250 Experience

03:00 Race Day Preparations and Crew Dynamics

05:51 The Struggles Begin: Weather and Physical Challenges

09:10 Hallucinations and Mental Battles

12:10 Navigating Through Adversity: The Role of Crew

14:52 The Mid-Race Shift: Coping with Illness

17:49 Finding Momentum: The Power of Music

21:02 Celebrating Small Victories

24:03 The Final Push: Overcoming the Last Hurdles

26:56 The Finish Line: Reflections and Revelations

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In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I break down my full race plan for the 2025 Cocodona 250, the massive 250-mile ultra across Arizona. I walk you through how I’m approaching the unusually cold weather, the new technical course changes, and the long stretches without pacers. I explain why I’m planning to go out more aggressively this year, how I’m dialing in my carbs, salt, and hydration, and where I’ll rely on my crew and pacers the most. I share my split predictions, the key sections I’m watching for, and some honest reflections on how far I’ve come as a runner and a podcaster. Whether you’re following Cocodona or just curious about what it takes to line up for something this big, this episode gives you an inside look at my mindset and strategy heading into race week.

Chapters

00:00 Cocadona 250 Race Strategy

03:09 Course Navigation and Aid Stations

05:55 Pacing and Nutrition Strategy

09:07 Self-Sufficiency and Crew Dynamics

11:57 Reflections on Podcasting and Growth

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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

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