20 Marathons, 3 Kids, and Boston Dreams: The Maddie Stier Story
In this inspiring episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Maddie Stier, a remarkable marathon runner who balances elite performance with motherhood. From qualifying for Boston at her very first marathon to navigating pregnancy with twins, Maddie shares her extraordinary journey of running 20 marathons while raising three children under two.
Discover how Maddie transitioned from casual runner to 2:50 marathoner after joining Dallas's running community, the importance of training partners who pushed her limits, and her creative strategies for fitting in high-mileage weeks around early morning family life. Maddie offers candid insights about maintaining her running passion through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the logistical challenges of elite training as a busy mom.
Whether you're a parent looking to maintain fitness, a competitive runner seeking inspiration, or simply love stories of perseverance, Maddie's journey from accidental Boston qualifier to motherhood marathon champion will motivate runners of all levels. Don't miss her preparation strategies for Boston 2025 and her "Summer of Strength" plans beyond!
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
As a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in building and nurturing thriving communities both running and technical
Guest
Maddie Stier
Maddie Stier is an accomplished marathoner based in Allen, Texas who has balanced elite running with motherhood. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Maddie began running at an early age, influenced by her running-enthusiast mother and competitive siblings. Her remarkable journey includes completing 20 marathons, highlighted by a personal best of 2:50 at The Woodlands Marathon in 2021. Maddie qualified for the Boston Marathon in her very first marathon attempt, running a 3:26 at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati in 2013. Among her notable achievements, Maddie won the women's ultramarathon at the 2022 Cowtown event with a time of 3:36:58 Running USA, and she also claimed victory at the 2020 Cowtown Marathon. Her most recent accomplishment includes finishing the 2023 Dallas Marathon in 3:01:01 while taking a moment during the race to kiss her young daughter. Maddie now trains with "Completely Slothed" (sometimes written as "Completely SLOTH'd"), an elite running group in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that includes other accomplished runners like Jennifer Pope, who qualified for the Olympic Trials DFW Running Talk. Previously, she trained with several local running groups including the Frisco Running Club and White Rock Co-op. She's known for her disciplined approach to training, incorporating high mileage weeks and strength training, even while raising three children under the age of two (including twins). Currently preparing for the Boston Marathon, Maddie continues to inspire the running community with her dedication to the sport and ability to balance family life with elite athletic performance.