DFW Running Talk

Braden Keefer's running story is one of redemption and consistency. After running mediocre times in high school and never making varsity, Braden quit running entirely in college—gaining 40 pounds, smoking American Spirits, and developing some unhealthy habits along the way.

But in December 2019, a girlfriend got him back on the track. What started as casual runs slowly turned into something more serious. Fast forward to November 2024, and Braden just ran 2:47 at the Indy Monumental Marathon—a 10-minute PR and a testament to what happens when talent meets structure.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why he never made varsity despite running cross country and track all four years
• The five-year gap where running wasn't part of his life
• Running his first marathon (3:08) with zero structured training
• The turning point: hiring coach Jeff Cunningham and joining Pegasus Running
• Building up to 80-mile weeks and learning to run easy
• His tactical mistake at Indy that cost him in the final miles
• Why he's targeting sub-2:40 at the Boston Marathon
• The importance of running for yourself, not comparing to others

Braden's message is simple but powerful: it doesn't matter where you start or how long you've been away from the sport. With the right community, coaching, and mindset, you can accomplish things you never thought possible.

Subscribe to DFW Running Talk: dfwrunningtalk.substack.com

At just 20 years old, Jera Crandall ran 3:05:39 in her first-ever marathon at the 2025 Dallas Marathon—shattering the Boston qualifying standard by over 20 minutes and finishing 13th overall women and 6th in her age group. This race became deeply meaningful when Jera lost her father in early September during her training cycle, turning the marathon into a tribute to him and a way to process her grief.

This episode is brought to you by Rise Racing Co.

Join us for the inaugural Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th, 2025! Race director Rob Goyen is bringing true trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Experience natural trails, rocky terrain, and real elevation gain—capped at just 300 runners for an intimate trail racing experience.

This will sell out, so register now at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra and use code DFW for 10% off your registration.

In this episode, Jera shares her unconventional path from competitive figure skater to distance running phenom. She opens up about running her first 5K in 19:28 with absolutely zero training knowledge, taking nearly a year off from racing to focus on skating, then deciding to become a "seriously competitive distance runner" after the 2024 Turkey Trot.

We discuss her methodical approach to the marathon—hiring coach Alfonzo Gonzalez Jr (Fonz) before even attempting the distance, nailing her carb loading and nutrition strategy, executing perfect pacing starting conservatively at 7:15 pace, and fighting through the brutal final 5K to achieve her goal.

Jera also talks about overcoming past struggles with disordered eating, the mental toughness developed through figure skating and her powerlifting background, her harrowing 14-mile training run where she got lost on the trails and had to be rescued by the Train Pegasus crew, joining the running community at White Rock Lake, and why she's waiting until 2027 Houston Marathon to race the full distance again so she can build raw strength and speed at shorter distances first.

Key Stats:

• First marathon: 3:05:39 (Dallas Marathon 2025)
• 13th overall women, 6th in age group
• Half marathon PR: 1:26:56
• 10K PR: 40:08
• 5K PR: 19:28
• Age 20

Topics Covered:

• Running 3:05:39 debut marathon and qualifying for Boston
• Dedicating the race to her late father
• Transitioning from figure skating to distance running
• Working with coach Alfonzo Gonzalez Jr (Fonz) and Train Pegasus
• Marathon nutrition: carb loading, fueling, hydration strategy
• Race pacing and execution through adversity
• Building 60-70 mile training weeks at age 20
• Overcoming eating disorder history through healthy training
• Running through grief and loss
• The importance of finding your running community
• Future plans: focusing on 5K-Half Marathon speed through 2026

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Nicole Bitter, one of the most accomplished ultrarunners in North America. Nicole's journey began with an unexpected tap on the shoulder from her 7th-grade gym teacher who redirected her from basketball to cross country—a decision that would change her life forever.

From running at Northwestern University to discovering trail running during law school in Waco's Cameron Park, Nicole shares how she found her way to the Dallas White Rock Running Co-op and eventually set the North American 100-mile trail record at Rocky Raccoon in 2015. With three top 10 finishes at Western States 100, wins at Black Canyon 100km and Javelina 100, and a third-place finish at the incredibly competitive 2025 Javelina 100, Nicole's ultrarunning resume speaks for itself.

This episode is sponsored by Rob Goyen and Rise Racing Co. The Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th brings trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K. Limited to 300 runners. Use code DFW for 10% off at https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra

But beyond the achievements and records, this conversation explores what truly matters: the lifelong friendships formed through running, the importance of supportive partners and community, and finding what brings you joy after decades of competitive training. Nicole reflects on her time with the White Rock co-op, her current training with Rogue Running in Austin, and what motivates her as she contemplates her next chapter in the sport.

Whether you're an aspiring ultrarunner, a road racer, or someone who simply loves hearing stories of dedication and community, Nicole's journey will inspire you.

Juliette Vielhauer only started running in 2023, and just two years later, she ran a stunning 3:01:57 debut marathon at California International Marathon (CIM). At 25 years old, this former lacrosse player from Cal Poly and SMU has taken the Dallas running scene by storm.

In this conversation, Juliette shares her unconventional journey into running—signing up for a half marathon without ever racing a 5K, finding her competitive edge through the Dallas run club scene, and building up to her first marathon with a mix of solo training and community support. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of race day at CIM, including battling the cold, hitting the wall at mile 20, and still managing to PR her half marathon split during the race.

Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Rise Racing Co. and the Panther City Ultra at Marion Sampson Park on April 4th. Rob Goyen is bringing trail running to Fort Worth with distances from 5K to 50K featuring natural trails, rocky terrain, and real elevation—capped at just 300 runners. This will sell out! Ready for something different than your usual road race? Head over to https://www.riseracingco.com/panther-city-ultra and use code DFW for 10% off your registration.

From her lacrosse roots and county cross country championship as a kid to her current goals of running sub-1:25 at Big Star Half Marathon's elite field in April 2027, Juliette represents the next generation of fast young runners in DFW. Whether you're chasing your first race or your next PR, you'll find inspiration in her story of setting big goals and refusing to settle.

Show Notes:

Guest: Juliette Vielhauer

Topics Covered:

• Growing up playing competitive lacrosse from age 9 through college
• Winning county cross country championships in elementary school
• Moving to Dallas for grad school at SMU knowing nobody in Texas
• Starting running in 2023 with zero race experience
• First half marathon in May 2023 without proper training
• Finding the Dallas running community (White Rock Running Co., TNSR Plano)
• Training solo for CIM while balancing corporate job
• Race strategy and execution at California International Marathon
• Running 3:01:57 debut marathon and qualifying for Boston 2027
• Going sober during peak training and the impact on recovery
• PRing the half marathon (1:28) during the marathon itself
• Post-race celebration and recovery challenges
• Goals for Big Star Half Marathon elite field (targeting sub-1:25)
• Future marathon plans and long-term running aspirations

In this episode of DFW Running Talk, Chris Detzel sits down with Aaron Pearson to discuss his inspiring running journey from small-town Kansas to the California International Marathon, where he ran a phenomenal 2:35:02 PR.

Aaron shares his early running experiences, including going undefeated in the 800m during his senior year of high school before taking second place at state. He talks about his transition to college running on scholarship, training alongside Olympians, and eventually finding his way to the marathon distance.

But this episode is about more than just race times. Aaron opens up about the incredible power of running community and what it means to train and race alongside friends. He recounts the magical experience at CIM, running the entire race with training partners Eric Bretl and Jennifer Pope, celebrating together, and why this race—beyond the PR—was one of the best experiences of his running life.

Whether you're a track athlete transitioning to longer distances, training for your first marathon, or looking to find your running community, Aaron's story will motivate you to chase your goals and cherish the journey with the people around you.

Subscribe to DFW Running Talk and join the conversation about all things running in the Dallas-Fort Worth area!

Links:

• Website: www.dfwrunningtalk.com
• Newsletter: www.dfwrunningtalk.substack.com 
• Community: www.dfwrunninggroup.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DFWRunningTalk 

In this episode of DFW Running Talk's "New Blood" series, Chris sits down with Casey Novelo, the 22-year-old rising star who ran 2:24:43 to finish second overall at the 2024 Dallas Marathon.

Casey's running journey is anything but typical. Starting as one of the slowest runners on his high school cross country team—finishing second-to-last at districts with a 21+ minute 5K—he transformed himself through relentless work ethic and smart training. By his senior year, he had dropped to 16:20 for 5K and earned a walk-on spot at Texas A&M Commerce, eventually securing a scholarship.

Now working full-time while logging 100+ mile weeks, Casey has emerged as one of DFW's most promising young marathoners. He shares the full story of his Dallas Marathon experience, including the intense mile-by-mile battle with winner Steven Fahy, strategic race decisions, and that blistering 5:07 mile at mile 22 that nearly changed the outcome.

Looking ahead, Casey has his sights set on breaking 2:20 at the Jersey City Marathon in April 2026, and with 13 years until his marathon prime, he's just getting started. This conversation explores what it takes to compete at the elite level, the mental fortitude required to push through pain, and why the best marathoners in the world are still improving well into their 30s.

Whether you're chasing your own PR or just love hearing about the next generation of DFW running talent, Casey's story will inspire you to think bigger about what's possible.

Talon Smith owns FTX Hybrid Athletics in Fort Worth, where he's built one of the most successful Hyrox programs in America. In this conversation, he demystifies the sport for runners: 8 kilometers of running broken up by 8 functional fitness stations (ski erg, sled push, burpees, rowing, farmers carry, lunges, wall balls). Learn why Dallas Hyrox sold 12,000 tickets in hours, how to structure hybrid training without overtraining, and why Talon believes the sport favors endurance athletes. Perfect for runners looking to expand beyond road racing or add strength training that actually complements running performance. 

In this special episode of New Blood: DFW's Young Gals Raising the Bar, Chris sits down with three remarkable athletes who proved that the best training partners are sometimes the ones you never actually train with.

Sisters Maddie Stier (32, Allen, TX) and Grace Chow (29, Washington, DC), along with their close friend Melanie Lassen (34, Casper, WY), came together at the California International Marathon to achieve something extraordinary—all three broke 2:50, finishing within minutes of each other after training separately in three different states.

Maddie stayed rooted in the DFW community, training with the Sloths Running Club by "chasing people faster than her" without a formal plan. Grace hired her first coach, Jordan Hogan (formerly Jordan Hassay), and navigated solo training in the cold, dark mornings of Washington, DC. Melanie moved to Casper, Wyoming, trained at 5,000 feet elevation, and struggled through nearly every workout—barely hitting a single target pace.

But when they reunited in Sacramento for a girls' weekend (no husbands, no kids, just chicken quesadillas and Zootopia), something magical happened. They ran their races separately but together, supporting each other from different parts of the course before meeting at the finish line for a core memory they'll never forget.

Finish times:

• Maddie Stier: 2:47:15 (6:24/mile)
• Melanie Lassen: 2:48:06 (6:25/mile)
• Grace Chow: 2:49:46 (6:29/mile)

This episode captures what makes running special: the power of community that transcends geography, the magic of shared goals, and what happens when you find your people—even when they live 1,500 miles apart. You'll hear about the Mile 20 declaration, the ultra-runner named Jesus who became their hype man for 22 miles, and why Maddie's brother's quote—"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room"—drives everything they do.

This is the future of running. This is New Blood. And it's happening right now.

Welcome to The OGs: DFW's Running Pioneers - a series dedicated to the runners who built the DFW running community from nothing. These are the originals. The ones who ran when nobody cared, when the shoes were garbage, when there were no gels, barely any water, and definitely no fanfare. They did it because they loved it, and they created the foundation we're all standing on today.

Kerry Little launches the series with an incredible journey: growing up as a swimmer in Illinois, moving to Texas in the early '80s, and discovering she could run - really run. Her first marathon? A 3:15 that would still turn heads today. Multiple Boston qualifiers, Ironman Hawaii, coaching with Luke's training programs, and a current streak of over 3,700 consecutive days of running. Now working at Luke's Locker Dallas (Mockingbird/75) for 17 years, Kerry connects the past to the present, sharing what it really took to be a runner when running was still finding its identity.

New Blood: DFW's Young Guns Raising the Bar

The bar just got raised in Dallas.

Steven Fahy, a 29-year-old NCAA steeplechase champion and Brooks Running employee, just won the Dallas Marathon in his debut with a time of 2:23:28 - making him the fastest marathoner in DFW at this moment. But this isn't just a story about natural talent crushing a race. It's about rediscovering why you run in the first place.

This episode kicks off New Blood, a special DFW Running Talk series spotlighting the next generation of elite runners who are redefining what's possible in North Texas. These aren't your average weekend warriors - they're 20-somethings running sub-2:25 marathons, breaking 3:05 on their debuts, and proving that the future of competitive running in DFW is already here.

After an accomplished collegiate career at Stanford (2019 NCAA steeplechase champion, five-time All-American, two-time Pac-12 champion), Steven moved to Dallas in 2023 and spent two years running solo. It wasn't until summer 2024 that he connected with the Sloths and local running community, transforming his training and reigniting his competitive fire.

Steven shares what it's like to win a marathon on the same routes you train daily, surrounded by the people who pushed you all season. He opens up about the mental shift from collegiate pressure to post-collegiate joy, why he's eyeing Eugene Marathon next, and what "bottle service for elites" really means.

This is the new generation of DFW running - fast, humble, and here to stay.

What You'll Learn:

• How a 2019 NCAA champion found his running community in Dallas
• The strategy behind winning your first marathon at 2:23
• Training alongside the Sloths, Train Pegasus, and DFW's best at Germany Park
• Why Steven almost thought Matt Campbell would beat him at the 1776 Mile
• The post-collegiate identity crisis every runner faces
• What's next: Eugene Marathon and the long-term marathon journey

Perfect for: Young competitive runners, post-collegiate athletes looking for direction, anyone curious about what elite-level marathon training looks like in DFW