From Spain to Dallas: Carlos Para's International Running Adventures
In this engaging episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Carlos Para, a dentist from Spain who has built an impressive running career after moving to Dallas. Carlos shares his journey from playing field hockey in Spain to becoming a competitive marathoner who has completed seven marathons in a single year, with a personal best of 2:37 at the St. George Marathon.
Carlos discusses how he discovered his passion for running during the COVID-19 pandemic, his remarkably fast progression from novice to Boston qualifier in his first marathon (finishing in 2:55), and his strategic approach to training. The conversation covers Carlos's experiences with both road marathons and ultratrail races, including his participation in prestigious UTMB events as he pursues qualification for Western States.
Throughout the episode, Carlos offers insights about balancing professional life with serious running, training in Dallas's challenging climate, unique training camps he creates in mountainous regions, and how he combines his love of travel with running adventures across the globe. A fascinating look at the journey of a dedicated runner who has found ways to pursue excellence despite the limitations of training in a flat terrain city.
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
Carlos Parra
Carlos Para is a dentist and competitive runner from Spain who now resides in Dallas, Texas. Originally a field hockey player in Spain, Carlos only began running seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, though he had casually participated in a few races prior. His running journey showcases remarkable progression. Carlos qualified for the Boston Marathon in his first-ever marathon attempt, finishing with an impressive time of 2:55. He went on to complete seven marathons in 2022 alone, with his personal best time of 2:37 achieved at the St. George Marathon in Utah. Carlos holds a specialty in periodontics and dental implants, having completed his dental education in Spain before moving to Boston for his residency. Since 2015, he has been living in Dallas where he teaches at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Beyond road marathons, Carlos has expanded into ultratrail running, participating in prestigious UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) series events including a 110K race in the Pyrenees with 21,000 feet of elevation gain. He regularly creates personal training camps in mountainous regions like Colorado, Utah, and Flagstaff to prepare for these challenges, as Dallas lacks significant elevation. Carlos combines his passion for running with travel, making it a point to run in every new place he visits. He meticulously plans his racing calendar around key goals: typically Boston Marathon in the spring and an ultratrail race in the summer, while still finding time for competitive 5Ks (his PR is 16:59) and half marathons (PR of 1:16:34).