31 Marathons and Counting: Farrell Hedrick's Journey from Beginner to Coach
Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Richardson native Farrell Hedrick, whose remarkable running journey embodies the power of transformation and perseverance. What started as a simple goal to lose 50 pounds after college has evolved into an incredible story of athletic achievement and career reinvention.
Farrell shares his progression from struggling to run half a mile in uptown Dallas to becoming a 2:47 marathoner with 31 marathons under his belt. Along the way, he opens up about the mental challenges of his first Dallas Marathon, the breakthrough race at Woodlands Marathon that changed everything, and how accidentally coaching a friend led him to discover his true passion.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- How Farrell went from finance and investment banking to becoming an RRCA-certified running coach
- His recent career pivot to Training Program Director at Fleet Feet Dallas
- The exciting new performance-focused training program he's launching across the DFW metroplex
- Training and nutrition insights from someone who's made every mistake and learned from it
- The untapped potential he sees in Dallas's running community
Whether you're a beginner runner, seasoned marathoner, or someone contemplating a major life change, Farrell's story proves that with consistency and courage, extraordinary transformations are possible. Plus, hear about the innovative weekly track nights and community-building initiatives coming to North Texas that aim to elevate the entire Dallas running scene.
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
Farrell Hedrick
Farrell Hedrick is a Richardson, Texas native whose running journey began as a simple weight loss goal and evolved into a passion that would reshape his entire career. After gaining 50+ pounds during college at LSU and his early years in finance, Farrell couldn't run half a mile when he first laced up his shoes in uptown Dallas at age 23. Eleven years later, Farrell has completed 31 marathons with a personal best of 2:47, along with a 1:21 half marathon PR. His breakthrough race came at the 2021 Woodlands Marathon, where he ran sub-2:50 alongside several other Dallas-area runners in what became a memorable day for the local running community. A former investment banker and public accountant, Farrell transitioned into running coaching after successfully training a friend who ran a 1:27 debut half marathon. As an RRCA-certified coach, he has guided over 20 athletes while building sophisticated training programs using his finance background. In 2024, Farrell made the bold decision to leave corporate finance entirely, joining Fleet Feet as Training Program Director for the Dallas metroplex. He's launching an innovative performance-focused training program designed to unlock the untapped potential he sees in Dallas runners, starting with weekly track nights and expanding into a comprehensive coaching platform. When he's not coaching or planning the next Fleet Feet initiative, Farrell can be found running with the Oak Cliff Running Crew or collaborating with other local runners on unique events like the upcoming 1776-yard race on July 4th.