How a Non-High School Runner Built a 2:28 Marathon in Indianapolis: Brent Woodle's Path to Elite Masters

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."

Brent Woodle is one of the fastest masters marathoners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with a personal record of 2:28 and recent performances including 2:28:26 at the Indianapolis Marathon and 2:39:05 at the Dallas Marathon. What makes Brent's running career remarkable is that he never ran competitively in high school or college. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Brent moved to Dallas 16 years ago to start a career as a software engineer—a position he still holds today. With no friends in his new city and a bucket list goal to run a marathon, he joined every running club he could find, including TNSR, DRCI, and White Rock Running Co-op, where he discovered both a community and a competitive outlet. Brent's approach to marathon training is unconventional and meticulous. He runs twice a day, six days per week, logging 100+ mile weeks during training cycles. His philosophy prioritizes frequency over intensity, believing that multiple shorter runs reduce injury risk while building greater overall fitness. He starts each day with a brisk 20-30 minute walk followed by a workout or easy run, then adds a very easy zone one run in the evening. Beyond the miles, Brent's success comes from attention to detail: eight hours of sleep every night, disciplined nutrition including race-day fueling of up to 900 calories, no alcohol during training blocks, and a stable work-from-home routine that supports consistent training. He's learned through experience about the importance of mental recovery, having battled burnout before the Houston Marathon and discovering that rest periods are essential even for elite athletes. When he's not running, Brent is a dedicated father to his 4-year-old and 6-year-old, balancing elite athletic pursuits with family life. He's been married for nearly 10 years and previously enjoyed running trips with his wife before focusing more on family vacations in recent years. Looking ahead to 2026, Brent plans to race the Paris Marathon in April and return to Chicago—where he set his PR—in the fall, all at age 41. He believes he still has the ability to get in his best shape, proving that consistency, discipline, and smart training can produce elite results well into the masters years. Brent's journey from casual runner to sub-2:30 marathoner demonstrates that competitive excellence doesn't require a youth running background—just dedication, smart training, and the wisdom to know when to push and when to rest.