Cycles, Citations, PRs to Coach: Rachel Sanchez's Running Evolution
Join DFW Running Talk host Chris Detzel for an in-depth conversation with Rachel Sanchez, an accomplished runner, police sergeant, and elite running coach whose journey spans from small-town Virginia to training athletes across multiple continents. In this comprehensive 54-minute episode, Rachel reveals her fascinating progression from high school cross country athlete at a single-A school to professional cyclist, and eventually to becoming a sub-2:45 marathoner who narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic trials.
Rachel shares intimate details about her athletic evolution, beginning with her high school achievements including a 59-second 400m and competing in state-level cross country. She discusses her transition to professional cycling, including her experience racing for Lee's McRae College and several professional teams, before a pivotal career shift led her to Texas law enforcement. The episode explores how running re-entered her life through police academy training, where she had to rebuild her running foundation despite her cycling fitness.
Key segments include:
Professional Athletic Career:
- Early running achievements in Virginia high school athletics
- Transition to professional cycling and collegiate racing
- Experience with professional cycling team dynamics and challenges
- Return to running through law enforcement career requirements
Running Achievements and Setbacks:
- Detailed account of her 2:44 marathon PR at Houston Marathon
- The emotional Olympic Trials qualifying attempt story
- Comprehensive discussion of her insertional Achilles tendinopathy
- In-depth explanation of her surgical journey and six-month recovery process
- The importance of seeking multiple medical opinions for sports injuries
Coaching Philosophy and Experience:
- Partnership with renowned coaches Sandy and Sage Kennedy
- Transition from cycling coach to running coach
- Detailed approach to athlete development and progression
- Experience coaching runners across multiple continents
- Emphasis on individualized training approaches
- Integration of both running and life demands into training plans
Running Community Insights:
- Discussion of DFW area running groups and communities
- Importance of proper progression for new runners
- Balance between competitive goals and long-term health
- Real-world examples of athlete success stories
- Integration of law enforcement work with running pursuits
Technical Training Aspects:
- Detailed discussion of training periodization
- Importance of recovery in training cycles
- Approach to helping runners return from injuries
- Methods for building sustainable running habits
- Tips for balancing high-level training with career demands
Whether you're a beginner runner looking to safely start your journey, an experienced athlete seeking to optimize your training, or someone interested in the intersection of law enforcement and competitive running, this episode provides comprehensive insights from someone who has succeeded at multiple levels of athletic achievement. Rachel's unique perspective as both a law enforcement professional and elite coach offers valuable lessons about balancing serious athletic pursuits with career demands.
Rachel shares intimate details about her athletic evolution, beginning with her high school achievements including a 59-second 400m and competing in state-level cross country. She discusses her transition to professional cycling, including her experience racing for Lee's McRae College and several professional teams, before a pivotal career shift led her to Texas law enforcement. The episode explores how running re-entered her life through police academy training, where she had to rebuild her running foundation despite her cycling fitness.
Key segments include:
Professional Athletic Career:
- Early running achievements in Virginia high school athletics
- Transition to professional cycling and collegiate racing
- Experience with professional cycling team dynamics and challenges
- Return to running through law enforcement career requirements
Running Achievements and Setbacks:
- Detailed account of her 2:44 marathon PR at Houston Marathon
- The emotional Olympic Trials qualifying attempt story
- Comprehensive discussion of her insertional Achilles tendinopathy
- In-depth explanation of her surgical journey and six-month recovery process
- The importance of seeking multiple medical opinions for sports injuries
Coaching Philosophy and Experience:
- Partnership with renowned coaches Sandy and Sage Kennedy
- Transition from cycling coach to running coach
- Detailed approach to athlete development and progression
- Experience coaching runners across multiple continents
- Emphasis on individualized training approaches
- Integration of both running and life demands into training plans
Running Community Insights:
- Discussion of DFW area running groups and communities
- Importance of proper progression for new runners
- Balance between competitive goals and long-term health
- Real-world examples of athlete success stories
- Integration of law enforcement work with running pursuits
Technical Training Aspects:
- Detailed discussion of training periodization
- Importance of recovery in training cycles
- Approach to helping runners return from injuries
- Methods for building sustainable running habits
- Tips for balancing high-level training with career demands
Whether you're a beginner runner looking to safely start your journey, an experienced athlete seeking to optimize your training, or someone interested in the intersection of law enforcement and competitive running, this episode provides comprehensive insights from someone who has succeeded at multiple levels of athletic achievement. Rachel's unique perspective as both a law enforcement professional and elite coach offers valuable lessons about balancing serious athletic pursuits with career demands.
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
Rachel Warner Sanchez
Rachael lives and works in north Texas and comes to Higher Running after being an independent coach for two years. During those two years, she took and passed the Revo2Lution Running Certification in 2019. Rachael is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and has passed the NASM Certified Nutrition Course (CNC) exam. Since then, she has coached a handful of area runners while continuing to pursue her running goals: The Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifier and a 75-minute half marathon. Rachael’s athletic performances and coaching started with professional road cycling. She was fortunate to travel the country racing and learning how to be an effective coach to a wide range of people. Her focus transitioned from road cyclist to running when she moved from Virginia to Texas in 2012. Along the way of pursuing her running goals, members of local running clubs inquired about hiring her as a coach. It was an easy yes and has served her well to fine tune her coaching style. Her athletes have had continued success and happiness while picking new goals when original ones have been accomplished. Rachael continues to be a steadfast student of running and is pursuing more certifications and educating herself to provide the best possible service to runners.