Cocodona 250 Deep Dive: Strategy, Forecasts, and How to Beat Courtney Dauwalter

On today’s episode of the Free Outside Show, I’m joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year’s showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We debate mind games, pacing strategies, why volunteering matters, and why Cocodona is basically ultrarunning’s March Madness. Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandancepartyFollow our sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear Chapters00:00 Introduction to Allison Mercer and Cocodona02:50 The Inaugural Cocodona Experience06:08 Crew Dynamics and Race Strategy08:46 The Evolution of Cocodona and Its Popularity11:59 The Role of Volunteers in Ultra Running14:58 Pacing and the Emotional Journey17:58 The Impact of Weather on Race Performance20:56 The Influence of Social Media and Celebrity Runners23:50 The Future of Cocodona and Its Competitors27:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts46:08 The Evolving Landscape of Ultra Running52:39 Courtney's Dominance and the Competitive Field56:58 Mindset and Strategy in Ultra Racing01:01:55 The Future of Cocodona and Race DynamicsSubscribe 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 [email protected] 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