On this episode of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast, host Brent Freedland is joined by Brian Gatens, host of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, for a deep dive into the world of expedition-length racing. From choosing your first race to travel logistics, international race prep, and lessons learned the hard way, Brian shares what it takes to level up. Along the way, he busts a few myths and offers practical advice drawn from years of on-course experience, as well as some terrible decisions. Whether you're planning your first expedition race or chasing a podium, this episode delivers the real-world insights you need to go farther, smarter, and stronger.

Send ideas for future episodes to info@usara.com

Featured USARA Races:

Maine Summer Adventure Race - https://www.mainesummerar.com/

Never Summer Adventure Race - https://rockymountainadventureseries.com/never-summer-24hr/

Pocket Gopher AR Series - https://howlingadventurer.com/pocket-gopher-series/

Shownotes:

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

On this mailbag episode of USARA’s The Checkpoint Podcast, host Brent Freedland is joined by adventure racing veterans Mari Chandler and Andy Bacon for a lively and wide-ranging conversation. Drawing from listener questions, the trio dives into gear preferences, sleep strategy, and team communication among other topics. With decades of experience between them, Mari and Andy offer equal parts wisdom, humor, and hard-earned insight. Whether you're new to AR or a seasoned racer, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for a fun and informative journey through the questions that keep adventure racers up at night.

Send us your questions for future episodes at info@usara.com

Guest Link:

Andy Bacon's EX2 Adventures - https://ex2adventures.com/

Featured USARA Races:

Stubborn Mule Adventure Race - https://180adventure.com/sm-race-info

Rainier Raid Adventure Race - https://rainierraid.com/

Shownotes:

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

In this episode, Brent sits down with Cliff White of Strong Machine Adventure Racing to explore the personal and team growth that has shaped their success over the past decade. Strong Machine has earned impressive results at both the national and international levels, and Cliff offers valuable insight into the strategies and experiences that have driven that success. A big thank you to Cliff for taking the time to share his story and expertise with us.

Guest Link:

Strong Machine Adventure Racing - https://www.strongmachinear.com/

Featured USARA Races:

Tug Hill Extreme Adventure Race - https://tughilloutfitters.com/tug-hill-extreme-adventu

Teton Ogre Adventure Race - https://tetonogre.com/

Shownotes:

Emily Korsch's AR Blog - http://www.emilykorsch.com/p/about-me.html

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

In this episode, Brent discusses doping, supplements, sleep, caffeine, and all the things that the adventure racer should consider around these topics. As a successful endurance athlete and coach, Alyssa offers perspective and consideration, and brings illumination to a complex topic. Thank you to her for stopping by The Checkpoint.

Guest Link:

Alyssa Godesky - https://www.alyssagodesky.com/

Featured USARA Races:

Mission Adventure Race 18 hrs.: https://www.dinoseries.com/mission-18-hour-race/

Chisholm Trail Adventure Race 24 hrs: https://www.texasprideracing.org/basic-01

Shownotes:

USARA: https://www.usara.com/anti-doping

USADA: https://www.usada.org/

Global Dro (medications): https://www.globaldro.com/Home

NSF: Certified for Sport (supplements): https://www.nsfsport.com/index.php

IV Infusions: https://www.usada.org/athlete-advisory/iv-infusions-explanatory-note/

Substance Profile-Inhaled Medications: https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/education/what-athletes-need-to-know-about-inhaled-medications/

TUE Exemption Policy: https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/USADA_TUE_Policy.pdf

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

In this episode, Brent interviews Andrea Larson of Ironbull and Rib Mountain Racing about cold-weather racing and training. They discuss a variety of strategies, and Brent closes out the episode by emphasizing cold-weather safety strategies. This is a must-listen episode for all racers entering the winter months.

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge - https://www.ribmountainadventurechallenge.com/

Ironbull - https://www.ironbull.org/

Rootstock Racing - www.rootstockracing.com

Upcoming USARA races featured in this episode:

Raid The Rock - https://www.raidtherock.com/

Shenandoah Epic - https://www.adventureenablers.com/

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

In this episode, Brent introduces the Two Rivers Adventure Race. A Rootstock Racing event, Two Rivers is the ARWS North American Championship Race with the winning team earning a free spot to the 2025 ARWS World Championship in British Columbia.

Brent then speaks with Jen Segger and Jill Mooney about their partnership around nutritional strategies for adventure racers and all athletes. They go deep into the science of the stomach, how to avoid a 'sloshy gut,' and what good food choices look like. This is a great episode for anyone looking to nail their nutrition.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.jensegger.com/

https://barrultra.com/nutrition-with-jill/

www.rootstockracing.com

https://www.usara.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

In this episode, Brent speaks with Allen Wagner of Broad Run Off Road Racing about his upcoming Fall Foliage Adventure Race. An increasingly popular race, the Fall Foliage is a great race for beginners and veterans alike. Our second segment is a deep dive into past USARA National Championships with Stephanie Ross and Tray Farrar. Packed with stories, adventures, and the challenges of presenting a national championship, this episode is a great way to prepare for next month's USARA National Championship Race in Snowshoe, West Virginia.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

In this episode, Brent speaks with Doug Ritzert and Jen DeBruyn from No Complaints about their experience, approach to the sport, and strong team dynamics. Following our first segment, Texas Pride RD Paul Ryan speaks about the Chisholm Trail AR followed by Tom Martin of GMARA's The Hard Fall. This episode is packed with advice, information, and folks who love AR and are delighted to share it with you.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone Podcast for his assistance with hosting duties.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Kopperl/ChisholmTrailAdventureRace

https://www.gmara.org/races/hardfall/

www.ardarkzone.com

In this episode, Brent speaks with Amber Dolphin and Steve Moechnig about their racing, teamwork, leveling up, and how they strategize for night navigation. Following our first segment, Jameson and Catherine from Gold Rush Adventure Adventure Racing talk about their upcoming race, and the episode closes with Cliff White of Strong Machine Adventure Racing as he and Brent discuss sea kayaking, and making oysters available to small children. This episode has something for everyone!

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone Podcast as he lends an assist with hosting duties.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

https://www.goldrushadventureracing.com/

https://www.strongmachinear.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

In this episode, Brent goes deep with BRF Barf Racing (Next stop, Smoothie King!), and speaks with RD Katie Ferrington of the Never Summer AR and Jason Magness of the Rainier Raid AR. All three segments have something for everyone. Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone Podcast as he lends an assist with hosting duties.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.facebook.com/BRF.Podcast/

https://rockymountainadventureseries.com/never-summer-24hr/

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=113068

www.ardarkzone.com

In this episode, Brent learns all about The Teton Ogre AR, The Stubborn Mule AR, and has a longer interview with racer Anna Stewart (whose enthusiasm could fuel a rocketship). Unlike Episode 1 in which Brent needed an assist from Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone Podcast, he takes care of this one solo and does a great job with all of it.

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

https://tetonogre.com/

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/WI/Cable/StubbornMuleAdventureRace

www.ardarkzone.com

Episode 2 is right around the corner, but before that here comes a new episode with the record-setting Mountain Designs Wild Women Team: Champions of The Legend Expedition Race in Australia. Brent Freedlan begins by interviewing Steph Ross, Kit Vreeland, and Ashley Eaton to open the episode. The second segment is a long and comprehensive interview by Steph Ross of the Mountain Designs Wild Women (with a little Abby Perkiss thrown in there as well).

The Checkpoint is happy to interrupt their regular programming to shine a spotlight on the AR's newest champions, the work being done by Steph Ross and the Women of AR, and Kit Vreeland and Ashley Eaton's success at the 2023 USARA Nationals. Enjoy!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

https://www.wldnco.com/24-hour-to-6-day-events/legend-expd

https://www.blogger.com/profile/11710981965297924946

https://sportzhub.com/article/historic-win-for-mountain-designs-wild-women-team-at-legend-xpd-australia.html

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-an-adventure-racing-podcast/id1578529221?i=1000647735469

Join Brent Freedland (with a little help from Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast) as he interviews race directors from across the U.S. Thank you to Brian for his longform interview of PT Dr. Karyn Dulaney as she breaks down how adventure racers can, well, not break down by taking care of themselves in a variety of ways.

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/MO/Eminence/TheBerrymanAdventure

https://www.dinoseries.com/