DFW Running Talk

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 Find free training plans, races, and running resources: https://www.dfwrunningtalk.com Get the Monday DFW Running Email: https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com Looking for a 5k, 1/2 marathon or full marathon training plan? https://dfwrunningtalk.com/training-plans Find most races in all of Texas: https://dfwrunningtalk.com/races Follow DFW Running Talk and leave a rating if this story resonates with you.

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.

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? Get the Monday DFW Running Email: https://dfwrunningtalk.substack.com/ Explore training plans, races, running clubs, and coaches: https://www.dfwrunningtalk.com/

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 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 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.