From Spain to Dallas: Carlos Para's International Running Adventures

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."

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).