EPISODE · Apr 17, 2026 · 1H 6M
Vibe. Grind. Shine. (And Don’t Fall). Carb Maxing to run for Team USA
from Free Outside · host Jeff Garmire
Allison Mercer just finished second at the USA 100K Championships… and is officially headed to Spain to represent Team USA.In this episode, we break down everything from the race, including how to mentally survive a 10-lap course, dialing in race-day nutrition, and why laps 4 through 6 are basically a personal crisis. We also get into her “vibe, grind, shine” mantra, carb intake (very high), and what it actually feels like when you realize you’re going to make the team.We also cover:How to pace a 100K without losing your mindRace prep, bottle systems, and why being organized actually mattersThe mental shift from training to racingWhat hurts during a 100K (spoiler: everything, eventually)Why second place is somehow both amazing and terriblePlus, we get into Boston Marathon storylines, Cocodona 250 hype, injuries in the sport, and whether running a 5K one week after a 100K is a terrible idea (it is).It’s part race recap, part comedy, and part therapy session for endurance athletes, just how we like it.If you’ve ever trained for something big, wondered how elites actually fuel, or just want to hear what it’s like to qualify for Team USA, this one’s for you.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure
What this episode covers
Allison Mercer just finished second at the USA 100K Championships… and is officially headed to Spain to represent Team USA.In this episode, we break down everything from the race, including how to mentally survive a 10-lap course, dialing in race-day nutrition, and why laps 4 through 6 are basically a personal crisis. We also get into her “vibe, grind, shine” mantra, carb intake (very high), and what it actually feels like when you realize you’re going to make the team.We also cover:How to pace a 100K without losing your mindRace prep, bottle systems, and why being organized actually mattersThe mental shift from training to racingWhat hurts during a 100K (spoiler: everything, eventually)Why second place is somehow both amazing and terriblePlus, we get into Boston Marathon storylines, Cocodona 250 hype, injuries in the sport, and whether running a 5K one week after a 100K is a terrible idea (it is).It’s part race recap, part comedy, and part therapy session for endurance athletes, just how we like it.If you’ve ever trained for something big, wondered how elites actually fuel, or just want to hear what it’s like to qualify for Team USA, this one’s for you.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure
NOW PLAYING
Vibe. Grind. Shine. (And Don’t Fall). Carb Maxing to run for Team USA
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.