Breaking 3: Insights from Two of Dallas' Top Marathon Runners with Brent Woodle and Javier Trilla
Episode Overview:
This episode of DFW Running Talk, hosted by Chris Detzel, features an in-depth conversation with two of Dallas's elite runners, Brent Woodle (2:28 marathon PR) and Javier Trilla (2:50 marathon PR). The discussion offers a fascinating glimpse into the competitive running scene in Dallas and the journeys of two accomplished athletes.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Running Backgrounds & Achievements:
- Brent Woodle's impressive 2:28:04 marathon PR
- Javier Trilla's 2:50:00 marathon PR and 1:21:40 half marathon PR
- Their involvement with White Rock Running Co-op
2. Training Insights:
- Brent's high-volume training (110-120 miles per week at peak)
- Javier's training approach (peaking at 88-89 miles per week)
- Discussion of race preparation and tapering strategies
- Pre-race nutrition and fueling strategies
3. Race Experiences:
- Detailed discussion of local races including Run Dallas, Cowtown Marathon, and Turkey Trot
- Race strategy and psychological aspects of competition
- Experiences with pacing other runners in marathons
- Insights into the competitive 5K scene in Dallas
4. Running Community:
- The evolution of running groups in Dallas
- Discussion of White Rock Running Co-op's role in the community
- Training group dynamics and the challenges of finding training partners at elite paces
- The importance of community in maintaining motivation
5. Personal Insights:
- Discussion of what motivates them to maintain high-volume training
- Balancing competitive running with other life commitments
- The challenges of winter training and early morning runs
- Their approach to racing and recovery
The conversation provides both technical insights for serious runners and relatable moments for recreational athletes, offering a well-rounded view of elite-level running in the Dallas area. The chemistry between the hosts and their shared experiences in the local running scene make for an engaging and informative discussion.
The episode stands out for its honest discussion of both the challenges and rewards of competitive running, while maintaining an accessible tone for listeners of varying experience levels.
This episode of DFW Running Talk, hosted by Chris Detzel, features an in-depth conversation with two of Dallas's elite runners, Brent Woodle (2:28 marathon PR) and Javier Trilla (2:50 marathon PR). The discussion offers a fascinating glimpse into the competitive running scene in Dallas and the journeys of two accomplished athletes.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Running Backgrounds & Achievements:
- Brent Woodle's impressive 2:28:04 marathon PR
- Javier Trilla's 2:50:00 marathon PR and 1:21:40 half marathon PR
- Their involvement with White Rock Running Co-op
2. Training Insights:
- Brent's high-volume training (110-120 miles per week at peak)
- Javier's training approach (peaking at 88-89 miles per week)
- Discussion of race preparation and tapering strategies
- Pre-race nutrition and fueling strategies
3. Race Experiences:
- Detailed discussion of local races including Run Dallas, Cowtown Marathon, and Turkey Trot
- Race strategy and psychological aspects of competition
- Experiences with pacing other runners in marathons
- Insights into the competitive 5K scene in Dallas
4. Running Community:
- The evolution of running groups in Dallas
- Discussion of White Rock Running Co-op's role in the community
- Training group dynamics and the challenges of finding training partners at elite paces
- The importance of community in maintaining motivation
5. Personal Insights:
- Discussion of what motivates them to maintain high-volume training
- Balancing competitive running with other life commitments
- The challenges of winter training and early morning runs
- Their approach to racing and recovery
The conversation provides both technical insights for serious runners and relatable moments for recreational athletes, offering a well-rounded view of elite-level running in the Dallas area. The chemistry between the hosts and their shared experiences in the local running scene make for an engaging and informative discussion.
The episode stands out for its honest discussion of both the challenges and rewards of competitive running, while maintaining an accessible tone for listeners of varying experience levels.
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
Guest
Javier Trillo aka JT
Javier is a South Florida native residing in the Dallas area, near beautiful White Rock Lake. Enticed by beer at the end of a 5K finish line, he started running about ten years ago and was running marathons just about a year later. Primarily self coached over his running career, Javier whittled his marathon time from 3 hours and 43 minutes to his most recent personal best of 2 hours and 50 minutes at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Javier is extremely active in the Dallas running community, and an admin of the White Rock Running Co-op - a grassroots running community that can be found looping around White Rock Lake day in and day out. Javier's current PR's: Marathon: 2:50:56 - Boston '23 Half Marathon: 1:21:40 - Houston '24 10K: 36:53 - Irving '24 5K: 17:20 - Form Follows Fitness '20