
From Couch to Coach: Javier Trilla's 10-Year Running Journey
DFW Running Talk Episode Summary: Conversation with Javier Trilla
Episode Overview
This inaugural episode of DFW Running Talk features host Chris Detzel interviewing Javier Trilla, a local runner and coach in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The conversation covers Javier's running journey, his coaching experiences, and insights into the local running scene.
Key Topics Discussed
Javier's Running Background
- Started running about 10 years ago
- First race was the Plano Balloon Fest 5K in 2015
- Quickly progressed to longer distances, including marathons
Motivation and Community
- Importance of running groups and community in staying motivated
- Discusses various local running groups in DFW area
Training and Injuries
- Talks about the importance of proper pacing in training
- Shares personal experience with injuries, including a stress reaction
Coaching
- Began coaching about a year ago
- Discusses approach to new clients and setting realistic expectations
Race Experiences
- Favorite local races include DRC Half and YMCA Turkey Trot
- Has run Boston Marathon multiple times
Training Tips
- Emphasizes the importance of easy runs and recovery
- Discusses incorporating strength training into running routines
Nutrition and Lifestyle
- Shares insights on balancing running with social life
- Favorite pre-race meal is pizza
Gear and Technology
- Uses various shoes for different types of runs
- Prefers Garmin watches for running
Future Goals
- Still focused on chasing PRs
- Interested in potentially running more international marathons
Advice for New Runners
- Recommends Couch to 5K program for beginners
- Emphasizes patience and consistency in building up mileage
Closing Thoughts
The episode concludes with Javier sharing his contact information for coaching inquiries and Chris encouraging listeners to rate and review the podcast.
Connect with JT:
Website: https://jtendurance.com
Instagram: @JTendurancetraining
Email: JTendurancetraining@gmail.com
Episode Overview
This inaugural episode of DFW Running Talk features host Chris Detzel interviewing Javier Trilla, a local runner and coach in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The conversation covers Javier's running journey, his coaching experiences, and insights into the local running scene.
Key Topics Discussed
Javier's Running Background
- Started running about 10 years ago
- First race was the Plano Balloon Fest 5K in 2015
- Quickly progressed to longer distances, including marathons
Motivation and Community
- Importance of running groups and community in staying motivated
- Discusses various local running groups in DFW area
Training and Injuries
- Talks about the importance of proper pacing in training
- Shares personal experience with injuries, including a stress reaction
Coaching
- Began coaching about a year ago
- Discusses approach to new clients and setting realistic expectations
Race Experiences
- Favorite local races include DRC Half and YMCA Turkey Trot
- Has run Boston Marathon multiple times
Training Tips
- Emphasizes the importance of easy runs and recovery
- Discusses incorporating strength training into running routines
Nutrition and Lifestyle
- Shares insights on balancing running with social life
- Favorite pre-race meal is pizza
Gear and Technology
- Uses various shoes for different types of runs
- Prefers Garmin watches for running
Future Goals
- Still focused on chasing PRs
- Interested in potentially running more international marathons
Advice for New Runners
- Recommends Couch to 5K program for beginners
- Emphasizes patience and consistency in building up mileage
Closing Thoughts
The episode concludes with Javier sharing his contact information for coaching inquiries and Chris encouraging listeners to rate and review the podcast.
Connect with JT:
Website: https://jtendurance.com
Instagram: @JTendurancetraining
Email: JTendurancetraining@gmail.com
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