Athletic Trainer Turned Marathon Mom: Amy Lyles on Bone Density, Peloton & PRs
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.
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.
Host: Chris Detzel Part of DFW Running Talk - featuring Dallas-Fort Worth running community stories.
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
Amy Lyles
Amy Lyles is an athletic trainer at Plano West High School and accomplished marathon runner who embodies resilience in the face of adversity. A native of Pojoaque, New Mexico (north of Santa Fe), Amy began her running journey in seventh grade and went on to compete at the collegiate level at Western New Mexico University. After earning her master's degree in Athletic Training from Texas Tech University, Amy has dedicated her career to helping high school athletes prevent and recover from injuries. Her medical expertise has given her unique insights into her own running challenges, including ongoing battles with stress fractures and bone density issues that have required her to completely reimagine her approach to training. Amy's greatest running achievement came at the 2024 Houston Marathon, where she ran a stunning 3:14:25 PR - a seven-minute improvement that came after a full year away from running due to pregnancy-related injuries. This comeback marathon qualified her for Boston and represented the culmination of careful coaching, nutrition planning, and cross-training with Peloton. As a mother of two young boys, Amy has become an advocate for realistic expectations around postpartum running. She's refreshingly honest about the challenges many women face returning to the sport after childbirth, often sharing that "returning to running postpartum is hard, and that's okay." When not chasing PRs or chasing toddlers, Amy can be found on her beloved Peloton bike "Lola," lifting weights for bone health, or connecting with the tight-knit Dallas-Fort Worth running community through Ray's Track Club. Her motto, borrowed from Lil Wayne: "Real G's roll in silence like lasagna" - a reminder to focus on your own journey without the noise of outside expectations. Amy currently lives in the Carrollton area with her husband and two sons, plotting her eventual return to Boston Marathon as a mom of two.