DFW Running Talk

What does it take to run a 2:13 marathon, break four minutes in the mile, compete in two Olympic Marathon Trials, and set a treadmill half marathon world record?

For Jarrett LeBlanc, the journey wasn't a straight line to success.

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Chris Detzel sits down with elite distance runner and coach Jarrett LeBlanc to explore his extraordinary running journey — from growing up in a small Louisiana town and becoming a college walk-on to competing at the highest levels of distance running.

But the most interesting part of Jarrett's story isn't just his personal records. It's how he handled injuries, setbacks, disappointment, the decision to step away from running, and ultimately discovering a new purpose through coaching.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Growing up in Hathaway, Louisiana, and discovering running
• The journey to a 2:13 marathon and sub-four-minute mile
• Competing in two Olympic Marathon Trials
• Setting a 1:02:50 treadmill half marathon world record
• Injuries, setbacks, and rediscovering the motivation to compete
• Why more mileage doesn't always mean better marathon training
• Balancing running, family, fatherhood, and recovery
• Building Levee Breakers and helping other runners succeed

Jarrett shares lessons that runners of every ability can learn from: train consistently, respect recovery, embrace the difficult moments, and remember that success is about more than a finish time.

Whether you're chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time, preparing for your first marathon, or simply trying to become a better runner, this conversation has something for you.

About DFW Running Talk

Every runner has a story. We share the people, experiences, training insights, and communities that make running special.

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Website: https://dfwrunningtalk.com/

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What happens when you lose your corporate job during a pandemic, just as the running events you've spent years building come to a halt?

For Angela Casavant, founder and race director of AMPT Running, that uncertainty ultimately became an opportunity to turn her passion for running into a full-time career.

Angela joins Chris Detzel on DFW Running Talk to share how a one-time charity 5K in 2017 eventually grew into a race production company organizing approximately 8–10 events a year.

Along the way, Angela shares her personal running journey—from completing her first half marathon with little preparation to chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. She opens up about the emotional toll of training for three marathons in one year, the four-month break that followed, and why learning to enjoy running again mattered more than chasing another personal record.

The conversation also goes behind the scenes of AMPT Running. Angela explains what it takes to organize successful 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, why race costs continue to rise, and how a community of approximately 65 ambassadors and dedicated volunteers helps bring each event to life.

We discuss the Toyota Music Factory Half Marathon, the Hot Trot at White Rock Lake, giving back to first responders, and the community that makes running events possible.

This episode is about more than running. It's about resilience, reinvention, following your passion, and building something meaningful with the people around you.

Learn more about AMPT Running and upcoming races: https://www.amptrunning.com/

Explore running stories, free training plans and race guides: https://dfwrunningtalk.com/

🏃 DFW Running Talk Exclusive: Save 20% on Race Day!

We're teaming up with AMPT Running to bring you 20% OFF the Toyota Music Factory Half Marathon, 10K & 5K!

📅 Sunday, November 8, 2026

📍 Irving, Texas — Toyota Music Factory

Whether you're chasing a half marathon PR, tackling a 10K, or enjoying a 5K with friends, this is a great opportunity to get out and race!

🎟️ Use code DFWRT20 at registration to save 20%!

👉 Register here: https://www.amptrunning.com/toyota-half/

A big thank-you to Angela Casavant and AMPT Running for supporting the DFW Running Talk community!

What happens when you train harder than ever, run 100 miles a week, and still miss the race you were preparing for?

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, we explore the journey from bodybuilding and basketball to competitive distance running—and the training mistakes that changed everything.

From 100-mile training weeks and 20-mile long runs in the Texas heat to injuries, marathon pacing mistakes, and learning to work with a coach, this conversation is about discovering the difference between working hard and training intelligently.

In this episode:

• Why more mileage doesn't always mean better marathon performance
• What happens when runners increase training volume too quickly
• How structured training can help runners recover from repeated setbacks
• The role of speed work, long runs, and recovery
• Why pacing and fueling can make or break a marathon
• How to set ambitious race goals without letting ego control your training
• What it really takes to become a stronger, more consistent runner

With marathon performances around 2:43 and 2:39, and a goal of eventually breaking 2:30, this runner's story offers lessons for everyone from first-time marathoners to experienced competitors.

The biggest takeaway: Consistency matters, but learning what your individual body needs matters just as much.

Find free marathon, half marathon, and 5K training plans, running calculators, and race guides at https://dfwrunningtalk.com/.

What happens when four running moms finally get to tell their side of the story?

Their husbands run marathons, chase personal records, log 70–100 miles a week, and spend plenty of time talking about running. But behind every early-morning workout, long run, and race-day finish line, there's another story worth hearing.

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Chris Detzel sits down with four women who are runners, mothers, and wives of competitive marathoners. And they have plenty to say!

From running shoes constantly arriving at the door and endless Strava conversations to taper-week anxiety and negotiating whose turn it is to run, the conversation gets funny quickly.

But there's a serious side, too.

What does it take to raise children, manage careers, support a spouse's demanding training schedule, and still find time to chase your own running goals?

The women talk openly about the mental load of motherhood, the sacrifices that often go unnoticed, and the importance of communicating as a family.

They also share their own running journeys, including breaking the two-hour half marathon barrier, chasing personal records, overcoming mental obstacles, and discovering the incredible friendships that running creates.

This isn't just a conversation about being married to fast runners. It's about motherhood, marriage, ambition, community, and making sure your own goals don't get lost along the way.

Whether you're training for your first 5K, chasing a Boston qualifying time, raising a family, or supporting someone who loves running, you'll find something to relate to in this conversation.

Build your own running story.

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Barely able to walk after a car crash. Now chasing a sub-three-hour marathon. This is a story about rebuilding, finding community, and giving the next starting line everything you have.

From living in a car in Los Angeles to a 3:25 Dallas Marathon debut, this journey has taken some unexpected turns—including accidentally running a half marathon and completing a 33-mile run from Dallas to Fort Worth.

We explore the lessons from hitting the wall at mile 23, how running friends help build consistency, and what’s different heading into the Indianapolis Marathon. The conversation closes with the crash that forced everything to stop—and the gratitude that followed.

CHAPTERS
00:00 The road to marathon number two
05:09 Living in a car and finding a new direction
10:05 Finding community through Dallas running clubs
15:11 A 3:25 marathon debut and lessons from the wall
24:23 Preparing for Indianapolis
26:15 A 33-mile Dallas-to-Fort Worth run
29:53 Chasing sub-three
31:05 The crash, recovery, and gratitude

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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?

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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.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet a Leadville 100 champion
12:06 Collegiate running, underfueling, and burnout
19:53 Stepping away and rebuilding
31:52 Returning to running after children
41:47 Coaching and learning to believe
49:18 Injury recovery and rethinking fueling
55:23 Winning the Leadville 100
1:03:19 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?

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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.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Growing up active in Texas
07:12 Life as a professional golf caddie
15:56 A weekly challenge to keep moving
18:07 The 31-hour double iron-distance triathlon
25:54 Boston Marathon travel and race weekend
30:37 Running and exploring Iceland
38:25 From golf to owning an adventure travel company
47:37 Choosing your next race vacation or adventure

FEATURED COMPANY
Fit 4 Adventure

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DFW Running Talk — the stories behind Dallas–Fort Worth’s runners.
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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.

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/.

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

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DFW Running Talk—the stories behind Dallas–Fort Worth’s runners.
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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.com
https://youtube.com/@DFWRunningTalk
https://instagram.com/dfwrunningtalk
https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

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.

Kaitlin Moore once believed running a mile was too far. Years later, the former Division I soccer player, working mom of three, and Dallas-area runner crossed the Houston Marathon finish line in 2:57.

Kaitlin joins Chris Detzel on DFW Running Talk to share how she went from casually running to completing her first marathon in 3:27, qualifying for Boston, running 3:08 in Houston, 3:01 in Chicago, and eventually breaking the three-hour marathon barrier. She also discusses her 1:21 half-marathon, 5:24 mile, and the training changes that helped her become one of the fastest masters runners in the DFW running community.

Her progress was far from easy. Kaitlin opens up about recovering from a torn IT band at the hip, a torn hamstring, and a torn calf. She explains why strength training, physical therapy, recovery, patience, and knowing when to rest have become just as important as running the miles.

In this episode, Kaitlin and Chris discuss:

• Qualifying for Boston in her first marathon
• The journey from a 3:27 marathon to a 2:57
• Balancing 70-mile training weeks with work and three children
• Training with Matt Campbell and the DFW running community
• Returning stronger after serious running injuries
• Strength training and injury prevention for masters runners
• Why every training cycle continues to build
• The friendships and support systems created through running

Kaitlin’s story is a powerful reminder that improvement is rarely linear. Every training block, setback, recovery, and comeback contributes to the runner you become.

Learn more about DFW Running Talk, local races, running clubs, training resources, and inspiring runner stories at http://www.dfwrunningtalk.com.

Follow @dfwrunningtalk on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and subscribe to DFW Running Talk on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Pete Johnson ran 1:05:11 in his first half marathon, averaging roughly five-minute-mile pace at the Houston Half Marathon. Now, the former University of Tulsa and Central Arkansas runner is preparing for his marathon debut at the California International Marathon, where he hopes to begin chasing the 2:16 Olympic Trials qualifying standard.

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Pete joins host Chris Detzel to share his complete running journey—from discovering cross country at Plano West to competing in NCAA track, cross country and the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Pete explains how an honest conversation with a college coach changed his mindset, pushed him to take training more seriously and helped him recognize his potential. He also discusses running 90–100-mile weeks, recording an 8:49 steeplechase, completing an 8K cross-country race in 23:39 and making the transition from collegiate racing to elite-level half-marathon and marathon training.

The conversation covers:

• How Pete ran 1:05:11 in his half-marathon debut
• His Houston Half Marathon race strategy
• Training at the University of Tulsa and Central Arkansas
• The impact great coaches had on his development
• Steeplechase, cross-country and track racing
• High-mileage training and staying healthy
• Preparing for his first marathon at CIM
• His long-term Olympic Trials ambitions
• Balancing a physical therapy career with competitive running

This episode is for runners interested in half-marathon training, marathon preparation, elite running, NCAA cross country, steeplechase, high-mileage training and the California International Marathon.

Follow DFW Running Talk for conversations with runners, coaches, race directors and the people shaping the Dallas–Fort Worth running community.

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Chris Detzel sits down with Chris Shelton of the McKinney Running Club for a story that starts with a competitive streak and turns into a full-blown love for running and community.

Chris shares how it began in 2018 when his boss signed him up for the RAR 5K, why his very first training run (1.32 miles at a 16:23 pace) proves everyone starts somewhere, and how joining the McKinney Running Club in 2021 changed everything — from a bloody-shirt lesson on his second group run to jumping straight from a 10K to the Houston Marathon.

We also get into running with a group to make the hard miles bearable, still chasing that sub-4-hour marathon, setting age-group PRs, what it actually takes to run a club, and the return of the McKinney Historic Half.

Whether you're brand new or a seasoned marathoner, it's a reminder that the sport is about a lot more than pace.

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How did former SMU football player Troy Castle go from a painful five-hour first marathon to a 2:34 finish at the Berlin Marathon? On DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with the Dallas runner and two-time Irving Marathon winner to explore the marathon training, Ironman endurance base, Boston-qualifying breakthrough, Texas heat preparation, threshold workouts, and relentless consistency behind his transformation. Troy also explains how he balances serious running with three young children, why the Dallas running community changed his training, and what runners can learn from his pursuit of a sub-2:30 marathon.

Miranda Hyvl started running 14 years ago with a couch-to-5K program as a busy mom just trying to get in shape. Today she's run 23 marathons, finished Boston seven times, checked off five of the six World Marathon Majors, and become an RRCA-certified coach — all while raising five kids in a blended family.

But Miranda's biggest impact might be off the racecourse. When Rockwall's running community found itself scattered across grocery store parking lots with no home base, she and her husband built one: The Run House, a membership-based recovery lounge and running club that's become the heartbeat of running east of the lake.

In this episode, Chris and Miranda talk about:

• How she went from a couch-to-5K program to a 3:26 marathon PR
• Balancing training with five kids — and the scheduling system that saved her marriage miles
• Why she tells first-time marathoners to throw out their time goals
• The origin story of The Run House and its recovery lounge (compression boots, sauna, and all)
• Her coaching philosophy: weekly customized plans, not 16-week templates from ChatGPT
• Boston rituals, chasing the 10-year streak, and the one major left before six stars
• The Rockwall Mile and what's next for racing in Rockwall

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Neil Robinson started running seriously in his 40s, ran a 4:53 first marathon he swore would be his last, and then — at 52 — ran a 3:16:24 Boston Qualifier. This is the story of the slow build: years of run-walking, the nutrition and training lessons from the White Rock Running Co-op crowd, Pfitzinger plans, 1,960-mile years, and the mindset shift of learning to push through discomfort. A conversation about getting faster as you get older, the heart-health stakes that started it all, and why the running community is the real reason to keep showing up.

Subscribe at dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

Eleven days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North Texas, runners and soccer fans are converging on The Sound at Cypress Waters for the Countdown to the Cup 5K — and in this episode, I get the full story from the two people making it happen.

Cindy Solomon of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and Eric Lindberg of On Your Left Marketing & Events join me to break down the race: the cup-shaped finisher medal, the brand-new USATF-certified course with a downhill finish, age group awards featuring the official Dallas World Cup ball, the Flying Saucer after-party, and the virtual option that's pulling registrations from across the country.

We also go way beyond the 5K. Cindy walks through everything the Organizing Committee is doing — the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park (free, open to the public, 96 of 104 matches shown live), the Unity Cup youth soccer tournament, 26 mini pitches going into underserved communities, Dallas hosting nine matches including the July 14 semifinal, and why this is the first World Cup on U.S. soil since 1994.

Eric also makes the case for why this is one of the last major DFW running events before the calendar goes dark for the summer — most races June through July moved their dates because of the World Cup.

Register: https://www.countdowntothecup5k.com/ Save 15%: Code DFWRG Adults: $60 | Youth (12 & under): $30

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