DFW Running Talk

Chris Detzel
  • 5.0 (15)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"DFW Running Talk" is a podcast dedicated to the vibrant running community in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local running experts, including coaches, athletes, race directors, and dieticians. We explore training tips, upcoming events, nutrition advice, and inspiring stories from the DFW running scene. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, tune in to connect with and learn from the diverse voices shaping our local running culture.

  1. McKale Montgomery: From TCU Track Star to Runner's Dystonia to Cowtown 50K Champion

    5D AGO

    McKale Montgomery: From TCU Track Star to Runner's Dystonia to Cowtown 50K Champion

    Fort Worth runner, TCU alumna, and nutrition professor McKale Montgomery has one of the most remarkable stories in the DFW running community — and probably all of American distance running. At her peak, McKale was running 2:34 marathons, chasing Olympic Trials qualifying standards by seconds, and competing against the best women in the country. Then in 2022, her right leg stopped working mid-run. No warning. No explanation. After three and a half years, dozens of doctors, MRIs, and dead ends, she was finally diagnosed with runner's dystonia — one of only 48 confirmed cases in the United States. In this episode, McKale and host Chris Detzel cover: Growing up in rural Oklahoma and running 7 miles a day to make a basketball teamEarning a full scholarship to run at TCU and winning a conference championshipRunning a 2:48 in her first Chicago Marathon while targeting the Olympic TrialsThe Woodlands Marathon disqualification — what may have been the fastest 26 miles of her lifeHer runner's dystonia diagnosis and the experimental medication with a 3-hour half-lifeTraining 90-100 miles a week on a treadmill to maintain her balanceWinning the Cowtown 50K outright — beating every man and every woman — in her first-ever ultraThis is a story about resilience, ego (her word), and what it means to keep running when your body fights back. DFW Running Talk is your podcast for stories from the heart of the DFW running community. New episodes weekly. Subscribe, follow, and leave a review. Sponsored by Rise Racing Co. Use code DFW for 10% off Panther City Ultra on April 4th, 2026

    46 min
  2. Marathon Training, Running Community & Consistency | Feat. Drew Martig of Happy Running Podcast

    MAR 27

    Marathon Training, Running Community & Consistency | Feat. Drew Martig of Happy Running Podcast

    Chris Detzel joins Drew Martig of the Happy Running Podcast for a collab episode on running community, marathon training, and what it really takes to get faster. Chris shares how he went from zero to consistent runner at 37, built an 11,000-member DFW running community, and why miles — not secrets — are the key to improvement. Drew opens up about coming back from a serious injury with his eye on Chicago  Find the full video here: https://youtu.be/D99yH7pU0fc?si=Mv7r8SFOmzOBVom1 Find Drew Martig's YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@DrewMartig

    56 min
  3. Ryan Burrell: 2:53 Marathon Debut, Houston 2026, Cramping Miles 23–25, and What's Next

    MAR 23

    Ryan Burrell: 2:53 Marathon Debut, Houston 2026, Cramping Miles 23–25, and What's Next

    Ryan Burrell ran 2:53:01 in his very first marathon at the 2026 Houston Marathon — one of the fastest marathon debuts in the Dallas running community in recent memory.-------------------------Sponsor: Rise Racing Co., Get 10% off, use code DFW, Register for the Panther City Ultra in Fort Worth, 50k, 25k, 10k and 5k ​ April 4th, 2026 Marion Sansom Park 2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114 --------------------------- But the story behind that time is what makes this episode unmissable. Ryan was a 4:23 miler in high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — a state qualifier who burned out from overtraining without an aerobic base. He walked away from running for years. Then he moved to Dallas in 2021, got reinspired, linked up with coach Matt and the Sloth Running Club, and quietly built himself into one of the most exciting distance runners in DFW. In this episode, Chris Detzel sits down with Ryan to talk about: - His high school track career — 4:23 mile, state finalist, 4x800 relay- How overtraining without easy running derailed his college career  - The 4+ year running gap and what finally brought him back- Getting connected with DFW's run club scene (ZFT, Sloth RC, Velvet Hammer 5K)- Training for Houston — long runs, aerobic base building, and race strategy- The brutal final miles: cramping and stopping three times between miles 23–25- Crossing the finish line in 2:53:01 and what's next (Boston qualifier? You decide) If you're a runner in Dallas-Fort Worth, training for your first marathon, chasing a sub-3, or just love a great comeback story — this one's for you. 🎙️ DFW Running Talk | Hosted by Chris Detzel📬 Newsletter: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com🏃 Community: DFW Running Group (11,000+ members on Facebook) Keywords: marathon debut, Houston Marathon 2026, Dallas running, DFW running, sub-3 marathon, marathon training, running comeback, Sloth Running Club, first marathon, running podcast

    54 min
  4. Boston Marathon Qualifier: How Andrew Smith Ran 2:53 at Houston

    MAR 16

    Boston Marathon Qualifier: How Andrew Smith Ran 2:53 at Houston

    Houston Marathon qualifier Andrew Smith ran 2:53:52 in January 2026 to earn his Boston Marathon 2027 BQ — with a hamstring cramp at mile 24 nearly derailing everything. In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Andrew shares the full three-year marathon journey that took him from signing up for his first half marathon on three days' notice to qualifying for Boston. We cover his first marathon at Irving (4:03), running NYC for charity through Hope Story, hiring a coach, the training cycle that changed everything, and the chaotic race-day at Houston — strep throat nine days out, his family stuck at home, and a brutal cramp in the final miles he had to run through on a prayer. Topics: Houston Marathon 2026, Boston Marathon qualifier, BQ training, marathon race strategy, Dallas marathon community, running coach, marathon fueling, DFW running DFW Running Talk is Dallas-Fort Worth's running podcast. New episodes every week. Subscribe at dfwrunningtalk.substack.com. This episode is sponsored by Rob Goyen and Rise Racing Co. The Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th brings trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Limited to 300 runners. Use code DFW for 10% off at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra

    1h 11m
  5. Jason Schuchard, President of BMW Dallas Marathon, on Selling Out & Launching the McKinney Historic Half

    MAR 9

    Jason Schuchard, President of BMW Dallas Marathon, on Selling Out & Launching the McKinney Historic Half

    What does it take to run one of Texas's most iconic marathons — and then launch a brand new one from scratch? This week, Chris sits down with Jason Schuchard, President of the BMW Dallas Marathon, for a candid conversation about his life in running, what's fueling Dallas Marathon's incredible growth, and the exciting new McKinney Historic Half Marathon launching March 28th. Jason shares how his mom's passion for running shaped his own journey — from cross country at Plano Senior High, to 8-10 marathons, to Ironman competitions — and how all of it eventually led him to lead one of DFW's premier running events. They cover what's behind the Dallas Marathon's annual sellouts, why adding more bibs isn't as simple as it sounds, and what makes the McKinney Historic Half a completely different experience — a half and half road/trail course winding through McKinney's historic square with a 4,000-person cap in year one. If Dallas is on your 2026 race calendar, don't sleep on registration — it opens May 1st and sells out fast. In this episode: Jason's running origin story & 3:23 marathon PRWhat's driving the Dallas Marathon's growthThe story behind the new McKinney Historic Half (March 28th)How the race benefits Scottish Rite for ChildrenWhy you should register for Dallas 2026 early Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to DFW Running Talk on Substack, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

    34 min
  6. Finding Your Pack: How Eric Bretl Went from Solo Runner to Sub-2:36 Marathoner

    MAR 2

    Finding Your Pack: How Eric Bretl Went from Solo Runner to Sub-2:36 Marathoner

    Eric Bretl's running story is one of humility, growth, and the undeniable power of community. In this episode, Eric shares how a humbling 1:34 half marathon finish — after training solo and thinking he was working harder than everyone around him — set him on a path to completely reinvent himself as a runner. From lifting weights and eating Jack's pizza in college to dropping from 225 lbs and eventually running a 2:35 at the California International Marathon (CIM), Eric's journey is a testament to what's possible when you find your people. He talks about training alongside Jennifer and Aaron, waking up at 5 AM for 14-mile workouts, and the unforgettable moment all three of them crossed the CIM finish line within 30 seconds of each other. If you've ever wondered whether running with a community really makes a difference — Eric's story is your answer.

    45 min
  7. Joe Hale: Two-Time Dallas Marathon Champ on Mileage, Injury & Coming Back

    FEB 23

    Joe Hale: Two-Time Dallas Marathon Champ on Mileage, Injury & Coming Back

    Joe Hale has won the Dallas Marathon twice — and in 2025 came back from a year battling an Achilles injury to finish third in one of the most competitive fields the race has seen. In this episode, Joe takes us through his full running journey: from summer track in Grapevine at age seven, to building a marathon career on 140-mile training weeks. He breaks down race day 2025, the frozen glove incident on the lake, how the front pack split apart in the final miles, and what it actually takes to compete at the front of a major marathon as a non-professional. Honest, tactical, and packed with insight for runners at every level.

    1h 5m
  8. Braden Keefer: From Smoking in College to a 2:47 Marathon

    FEB 16

    Braden Keefer: From Smoking in College to a 2:47 Marathon

    Braden Keefer's running story is one of redemption and consistency. After running mediocre times in high school and never making varsity, Braden quit running entirely in college—gaining 40 pounds, smoking American Spirits, and developing some unhealthy habits along the way. But in December 2019, a girlfriend got him back on the track. What started as casual runs slowly turned into something more serious. Fast forward to November 2024, and Braden just ran 2:47 at the Indy Monumental Marathon—a 10-minute PR and a testament to what happens when talent meets structure. In this conversation, we cover: Why he never made varsity despite running cross country and track all four yearsThe five-year gap where running wasn't part of his lifeRunning his first marathon (3:08) with zero structured trainingThe turning point: hiring coach Jeff Cunningham and joining Pegasus RunningBuilding up to 80-mile weeks and learning to run easyHis tactical mistake at Indy that cost him in the final milesWhy he's targeting sub-2:40 at the Boston MarathonThe importance of running for yourself, not comparing to othersBraden's message is simple but powerful: it doesn't matter where you start or how long you've been away from the sport. With the right community, coaching, and mindset, you can accomplish things you never thought possible. Subscribe to DFW Running Talk: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

    52 min
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

"DFW Running Talk" is a podcast dedicated to the vibrant running community in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local running experts, including coaches, athletes, race directors, and dieticians. We explore training tips, upcoming events, nutrition advice, and inspiring stories from the DFW running scene. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, tune in to connect with and learn from the diverse voices shaping our local running culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Detzel
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @ 2026 DFW Running Talk
  • Show Website
    DFW Running Talk

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