Marathon training at 7,000 feet elevation: Amanda Hicks shares how she's run 16 consecutive Boston Marathons with a 3:01 PR while living in Flagstaff, Arizona. From Dallas Morning News reporter to elite altitude runner, discover her 70-mile weekly training routine, White Rock Lake heat training origins, nutrition strategies for long runs, and race tactics that helped her nearly break the 3-hour barrier. Plus: Sydney Marathon plans, ultramarathon insights, and advice for qualifying for Boston. Perfect for runners seeking elite marathon training tips and Boston qualification strategies.

From devastating stress fractures to a 3:14 marathon PR - athletic trainer and mom Amy Lyles shares her incredible running comeback story with host Chris Detzel. After being sidelined for a full year with pubic bone injuries following her first pregnancy, Amy rebuilt from zero with just 5-minute run/walk intervals.

In this episode, Chris and Amy discuss how she:

• Overcame multiple stress fractures and bone density issues
• Used Peloton training to stay fit during injury recovery
• Worked with coach Neely Gracie to achieve a 7-minute marathon PR at Houston
• Balanced motherhood with Boston Marathon qualifying goals
• Found community through Ray's Track Club and DFW runners

Key topics: Marathon training for moms, stress fracture recovery, postpartum running challenges, athletic trainer insights, Peloton cross-training, bone density issues in female athletes, Ray's Track Club, Houston Marathon, Boston qualifying times.

Perfect for runners dealing with injury setbacks, new moms returning to running, or anyone seeking inspiration for their comeback journey.

Amy's story proves that with patience, proper coaching, and determination, you can come back stronger than ever.

Guest: Amy Lyles, Athletic Trainer at Plano West High School

Host: Chris Detzel Part of DFW Running Talk - featuring Dallas-Fort Worth running community stories.

In this compelling follow-up episode, Matt Campbell returns to share his evolved approach to racing and the mindset shifts that have transformed his competitive strategy. From his dominant performance at the Velvet Hammer 5K to his ambitious sub-2:30 marathon goals, Matt breaks down how he's learned to race the competition rather than chase times.

Matt opens up about his tactical approach to the Velvet Hammer 5K, where he brought his Completely Sloth teammates and executed a perfectly planned race strategy—breaking the 5K into kilometers with specific mantras for each segment. He reveals how letting go of time fixation and focusing on execution has actually made him faster and more confident on race day.

Beyond racing tactics, Matt dives deep into the challenge of balancing elite-level training with family life and a demanding career. He discusses his "three pillars" philosophy—family, work, and running—and how he's learned to periodize his life while keeping family as the top priority. From skipping Boston Marathon to be present for his family to the reality of 5 AM training sessions, Matt shares honest insights about making sacrifices and finding sustainable balance.

The conversation also covers the often-overlooked importance of strength training for runners, injury prevention through experience, and the mental game that separates good runners from great ones. Matt candidly discusses his upcoming California International Marathon goal, his transition into speed season, and his growing role as both a coach and community builder in the DFW running scene.

Whether you're chasing PRs or simply trying to fit running into a busy life, Matt's perspective on racing smart, training purposefully, and maintaining balance offers valuable lessons for runners at every level.

Topics Covered:

• Race strategy and execution over time goals
• Balancing elite training with family and career
• The importance of strength training for runners
• Building and leading running communities
• Mental approaches to competition and goal-setting
• Upcoming race plans and sub-2:30 marathon goals

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Michael Mazzara, CEO of Rogue Expeditions, who's revolutionizing how runners think about their sport. After signing up for 20 marathons and only finishing 3 due to constant injuries, Michael discovered there's more to running than chasing PRs and collecting race medals.

From his early days attempting untrained half marathons in Brooklyn to building a successful running travel company in Austin, Michael shares his journey of falling out of love with racing and into love with adventure. He explains why he believes the running community has become too focused on competition and how Rogue Expeditions offers an alternative—immersive cultural travel experiences for runners who want to explore the world's most beautiful trails without the pressure of race day.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why most running opportunities feel "too one-dimensional"
• The difference between running a city during a race vs. truly experiencing it
• How running travel compares to cycling tours and yoga retreats
• What it's like to run through Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Iceland's glaciers, and Italy's Dolomites
• Why the "stop racing, start exploring" philosophy resonates with so many runners
• How Rogue Expeditions creates adventures for all fitness levels with expert guides

Whether you're burned out on racing, curious about destination running, or simply love hearing about epic adventures, this conversation will challenge how you think about your running journey. Michael's passion for creating meaningful experiences over competitive achievements offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a runner.

What happens when a former ski bum who used to hide in pickup trucks to avoid running decides to chase a Boston qualifier in his very first marathon? You get one of the most inspiring transformation stories we've ever featured on DFW Running Talk.

Host Chris Detzel interviews Kevin Hebert, a 46-year-old who went from running just twice a week with Dallas Running Club to breaking 3:10 in his marathon debut. In this captivating conversation, Kevin shares his incredible journey from someone who "would never run a marathon" to crossing the finish line at California International Marathon in a stunning 3:08:58.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Kevin transformed from a casual half-marathoner to a sub-3:10 machine in just one training cycle
• The mindset shift that changed everything (hint: it involved quitting coffee and alcohol)
• Why he hired a coach for his first marathon and how it paid off
• The exact training approach that took him from 35 miles per week to 70 miles at peak
• His emotional finish line moment and immediate plans for marathon #2
• The power of running with experienced groups like White Rock Running Co-op

Whether you're a weekend warrior wondering what's possible or a seasoned runner looking for motivation, Kevin's story proves that with the right focus, coaching, and community, extraordinary breakthroughs can happen faster than you think.

This isn't just another running story – it's proof that sometimes the biggest transformations come from the most unexpected places.

In this captivating episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Duncan Cragg, the legendary store manager at Luke's Locker and a cornerstone of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for over three decades.

Duncan's story is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, he discovered his passion for distance running in elementary school when he couldn't make the track team as a sprinter. This setback became the catalyst for an incredible journey that would take him from the high altitude training grounds of South Africa to SMU's track team as a steeplechase specialist.

What makes this episode special:

• An inspiring immigration story: How running became Duncan's pathway from South Africa to America, including his recruitment to SMU during the final year of apartheid
• Breaking barriers through sport: Duncan's powerful account of training with athletes across racial lines before it was legal, and how this integrated group elevated everyone's performance to world-class levels
• From competitor to community builder: Why Duncan stepped away from racing marathons to focus on the "mindful journey" of running and helping others discover their own relationship with the sport
• 30 years at Luke's Locker: Behind-the-scenes insights into the specialty running industry, shoe technology evolution, and how the Dallas running boom has transformed over the decades
• Revolutionary family running program: Duncan's innovative approach to bringing parents and kids together through his unique group at White Rock Lake's Norbuck Park

Key topics explored:

• The philosophy of distance running vs. sprint mentality
• How modern shoe technology (carbon plates, super shoes) is changing the sport - for better and worse
• The explosion of Dallas running culture and diverse running communities
• Creating inclusive spaces where families can exercise together
• The difference between performance-driven and journey-focused running

Duncan's perspective on running transcends times and technology. He advocates for "parkour-style" natural movement, mindful running without structured intervals, and staying connected to the pure joy of the sport. His family running group has become a safe haven for kids intimidated by traditional track teams and a bridge for parents wanting to share the running experience with their children.

Whether you're a seasoned runner curious about the evolution of the sport, a parent looking to get active with your kids, or someone interested in how running can build community across cultural and generational divides, this episode offers profound insights and inspiration.

Perfect for listeners who enjoy:

• Stories of athletic achievement and personal growth
• Immigration and cultural integration narratives
• Community building and youth development
• Running industry insights and shoe technology discussions
• Philosophy of sport and mindful movement

Don't miss Duncan's take on why he's never run past a half marathon, his thoughts on the "Labrador with a tennis ball" mentality of race-focused runners, and how a chance meeting in a South African running store led to a 30-year career helping Dallas runners find their perfect fit.

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Traci Duty, whose 23-year running journey proves that breakthrough performances can happen at any age. From her first cotton-clad marathon disaster in college (4:28) to becoming a sub-3:00 marathoner at 45 (2:52), Traci's story is a masterclass in persistence, community, and smart training.

In this episode, Traci shares:

• Her early days as a high school sprinter who "hated" cross country
• The friends who kept convincing her to run "just one more marathon"
• How joining the Dallas Running Club transformed her training approach
• The power of running with faster groups (hello, Sloths!) and believing in bigger goals
• Her breakthrough season: four consecutive PR half marathons leading to her first sub-3:00 marathon
• Training insights including strength work, nutrition, and race strategy "chunking"
• The reality of running injuries and her current battle with osteoarthritis in both knees

What makes Traci's story particularly compelling is her late-career speed development. At an age when many runners are slowing down, she was running personal bests and keeping pace with athletes 10+ years younger. Her journey highlights the importance of community, proper training, and never giving up on your potential.

Whether you're chasing your first marathon PR or wondering if your fastest days are behind you, Traci's story will remind you that with the right mindset, training partners, and approach, breakthrough performances are possible at any stage of your running journey.

Key Takeaways: The power of training groups, importance of strength training and nutrition, race strategy tips, and maintaining a positive mindset through injury setbacks.