Episode
The Race Changed 3 Hours Before the Start: My first European Ultra
- Podcast
- Free Outside
- Published
- Jun 22, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2245
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
I came to Europe planning to run the Zugspitz 100, a mountain 100-miler around Germany's highest peak. Three hours before the start, the race directors announced that thunderstorms would force a major course change. The 100-mile race became a 100K, helmets were no longer required, aid stations changed, and my planning suddenly went out the window. In this episode, I recap the entire experience, from hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and exploring Munich to racing through the German Alps on an overnight course featuring 18,500 feet of elevation gain. We talk about stomach issues, Red Bull-fueled survival, technical descents, heat, meeting runners from around the world, and why this trip became more about experience than performance. Topics: -Zugspitz Ultratrail recap -Last-minute course changes -Racing in Germany -Tour du Mont Blanc recovery -Technical alpine running -Heat management and fueling mistakes -Why travel changes races -Experience vs outcome goals Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/ Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726 CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab 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 [email protected] 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 #Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure