DFW Running Talk

Chris Detzel
  • 5.0 (18)
  • 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. 4d ago

    From a Five-Minute Run to Kilimanjaro: Building Endurance and Confidence

    Cheryl Haynes’s first run lasted five minutes. Her goal was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. What followed was a journey through mountain summits, setbacks, a first marathon, and finding comfort in running after losing her mom. In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Cheryl joins host Chris Detzel to share how she built endurance as a beginner in flat South Florida, prepared for Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, and returned to summit Aconcagua after an unsuccessful first attempt. We explore the mental side of endurance, the lessons that came from starting small, and how a welcoming DFW running club became something Cheryl looks forward to each week. It’s a story for anyone wondering whether they’re capable of more—even if a single mile feels far away. What’s one running or adventure goal you once thought was out of reach? Explore free training plans, races, running clubs, and coaches:https://www.dfwrunningtalk.com Get the Monday DFW Running Email:https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com Follow DFW Running Talk for more real stories from the running community.

    From a Five-Minute Run to Kilimanjaro: Building Endurance and Confidence

  2. Sep 21

    From Running Burnout to Winning the Leadville 100

    Burnout and injuries pushed her away from running. Years later, Jacquie Mannhard became the women’s Leadville 100 champion. This is an honest conversation about rebuilding a relationship with running—and discovering that your best performances might still be ahead. We explore the pressure of collegiate running, underfueling, returning to competition after children, and the confidence it takes to line up against elite ultrarunners. Hear how changes to fueling, cross-training, and mindset shaped her comeback and helped her win Leadville in 2023.  Then follow her return in 2026, when a battle through mile 95 produced a second-place finish she treasures even more than her victory. Whether you’re recovering from a setback, considering your first ultramarathon, or trying to find joy in training again, this story will give you plenty to think about. CHAPTERS00:00 Meet a Leadville 100 champion12:06 Collegiate running, underfueling, and burnout19:53 Stepping away and rebuilding31:52 Returning to running after children41:47 Coaching and learning to believe49:18 Injury recovery and rethinking fueling55:23 Winning the Leadville 1001:03:19 Masters running and the fight for second place Follow DFW Running Talk on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Enjoyed the conversation? Leave a rating and tell us: What helped you find your way back to running? Get the Monday DFW Running Email:https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com/ Explore training plans, races, running clubs, and coaches:https://www.dfwrunningtalk.com/

    From Running Burnout to Winning the Leadville 100

  3. Sep 14

    A 31-Hour Double Iron Triathlon—and a Life of Adventure

    A double iron-distance triathlon. 31 hours and 31 minutes. Discover the story behind the finish—and a life built around adventure. Before becoming a Fit 4 Adventure co-owner, this Texas athlete spent years caddying on professional golf tours and finding races wherever work took her. She shares stories from a Double Anvil finish and extreme triathlons in Alaska and Iceland, plus the weekly swim, bike, and run challenge that keeps her active today. We explore Boston Marathon travel, turning a destination race into a vacation, and choosing adventures that match your fitness. Along the way, a trip planned for friends becomes the beginning of a new career—and lasting community. CHAPTERS00:00 Growing up active in Texas07:12 Life as a professional golf caddie15:56 A weekly challenge to keep moving18:07 The 31-hour double iron-distance triathlon25:54 Boston Marathon travel and race weekend30:37 Running and exploring Iceland38:25 From golf to owning an adventure travel company47:37 Choosing your next race vacation or adventure FEATURED COMPANYFit 4 Adventure Follow DFW Running Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.Rate the show to help more runners discover these conversations.What race would you build a vacation around? Leave a comment. DFW Running Talk — the stories behind Dallas–Fort Worth’s runners.Running resources: https://www.dfwrunningtalk.com/Newsletter: https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com/YouTube and Instagram: @dfwrunningtalk

    A 31-Hour Double Iron Triathlon—and a Life of Adventure

  4. Sep 7

    Two Marathon Blowups to 2:36

    A Dallas–Fort Worth runner turned two marathon blowups into a 2:36:11 breakthrough at Houston. This DFW Running Talk runner interview reveals what changed in his marathon training—and why it took more than fitness. Kevin Barr returned to running in 2023 after nearly seven years away. His first marathon ended in a painful 3:10. He tried again, bonked again and finished in 3:02. Kevin eventually broke three hours with a 2:57, joined Completely Sloth and began training with some of the fastest runners in DFW. At the Houston Marathon, he caught the women’s Olympic Trials qualifying pace group, negative-split the race and finished in 2:36:11. Kevin explains how he: • Increased his mileage and consistency• Learned from two marathon blowups• Changed his pacing to finally break three hours• Used faster training partners to reach another level• Balances nine to ten hours of training with work and four children• Plans to chase a 2:29 marathon next Know a runner we should interview? Send your suggestion at https://dfwrunningtalk.com.

    Two Marathon Blowups to 2:36

  5. Aug 31

    How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon: The Training Behind a 2:45

    Running coach Rafa Aguilar explains how he quit vaping, went from throwing up after his first 5K to running a 2:45 Houston Marathon, and earned a Boston Marathon qualifying time in less than three years. Rafa shares the marathon training, strength work, fueling plan, running community and negative-split pacing strategy behind his transformation—including how he saved his hardest effort for the final 10K and closed Houston with sub-six-minute miles. Follow Rafa at @rafarunz and discover more Dallas–Fort Worth running stories at https://dfwrunningtalk.com.

    How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon: The Training Behind a 2:45

  6. Aug 24

    3:27 to 2:23 at the Boston Marathon

    David Slear shares the training, mileage, and racing decisions behind his 64-minute transformation. David traces his journey from Princeton lightweight rowing through triathlon and into competitive marathon running. We discuss the fueling mistake that destroyed his first Dallas Marathon, how the DFW running community gave him confidence to chase faster times, and what changed when he began running more than 100 miles per week. David also explains why he uses two-a-day runs, how he balances training with work and family, and why he races by effort instead of locking onto a specific pace. Whether you’re chasing a Boston qualifier, building marathon mileage, or trying to break through a plateau, this conversation offers an honest look at what major improvement requires. CHAPTERS (00:00) Meet 2:23 marathoner David Slear(13:38) The 3:27 Dallas Marathon blowup(24:35) Finding the DFW running community(27:29) Winning his second marathon in 2:39(44:00) Building toward 110-mile training weeks(47:43) Running 2:28:41 at the Chicago Marathon(52:05) Breaking the rules at the Boston Marathon(1:01:23) Self-coaching, two-a-days, and staying healthy Follow DFW Running Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Rate the show—it’s one of the biggest ways you can help new runners find us. Know a DFW runner we should interview? Send us your recommendation. DFW Running Talk—the stories behind Dallas–Fort Worth’s runners.dfwrunningtalk.com · YouTube · Instagram · Substack

    3:27 to 2:23 at the Boston Marathon

  7. Aug 17

    Stuck at 2:58 for a Decade—Then a 2:37 Marathon

    The former TCU runner, CFO, and father of two explains how he progressed from a 3:28 marathon debut to a Boston qualifier—and ultimately one of the strongest races of his life. We get into the marathon training volume that changed everything, why 55–60 miles per week wasn’t enough for his goals, how the DFW Sloths pushed him toward 70–90-mile weeks, and the race-day pacing decision that saved his CIM. Jeff also shares what runners chasing a sub-3-hour marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, or major marathon PR can learn from his long plateau: improvement comes from patience, community, fueling, recovery, and years of consistent work. (00:00) Jeff Pels and the long road to 2:37(12:25) From a 3:28 debut to a sub-3 Boston qualifier(17:24) What finally broke the 2:58 marathon plateau(22:44) Increasing from 55 to 90 miles per week(28:38) How the DFW Sloths made him faster(33:37) Rebounding from a difficult Boston Marathon(38:06) The race strategy behind his 2:37 at CIM(50:18) Patience, community, and long-term improvement Follow DFW Running Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Rate the show—it’s one of the biggest things you can do to help new runners find us. Know a DFW runner we should feature? Send us a message at chris@dfwrunningtalk.com. DFW Running Talk—the stories behind Dallas–Fort Worth’s runners. https://dfwrunningtalk.comhttps://youtube.com/@DFWRunningTalkhttps://instagram.com/dfwrunningtalkhttps://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

    Stuck at 2:58 for a Decade—Then a 2:37 Marathon

  8. Aug 10

    Curvy Girl Running Building Confidence and Community with Kai Michelle

    Kai Michelle, founder of Sweaty and Steady Curvy Girl Run Club, joins DFW Running Talk to discuss beginner running, body confidence, marathon training, and building an inclusive women’s running community in Dallas. Kai shares how she went from completing casual 5Ks to training for the BMW Dallas Half Marathon, documenting her journey through the Curvy Girl Running Chronicles, and inspiring women who never considered themselves runners. That momentum eventually became Sweaty and Steady—a Dallas run club created for curvy women, slower runners, run-walkers, and anyone who has ever felt left behind. In this conversation, Kai explains why pace-inclusive run clubs matter, how running can support women through major life changes, and what it takes to create a safe and encouraging fitness community. She also talks about running with Strava during New York City Marathon weekend, preparing for her first full marathon, and celebrating every runner from the front of the pack to the final finisher. This episode is for beginner runners, back-of-the-pack runners, women interested in running, and anyone searching for running motivation or a supportive Dallas run club. Learn more at www.DFWRunningTalk.com.

    Curvy Girl Running Building Confidence and Community with Kai Michelle
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5
out of 5
18 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
    131
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @ 2026 DFW Running Talk
  • Show Website
    DFW Running Talk

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