A marathon build doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. And that is the story of Rafael Aguilar's journey to the Houston Marathon this past January.

He nearly got deported. He was broken up with by his girlfriend a week before race day. And through all of that adversity, he still pulled out a PR of 2:45:52 at the Houston Marathon in January.

Adversity isn't something Rafa is new too, though. In high school, he found himself thrusted into the starting goalie position on his soccer team. Even though it was his first time starting, he dedicated himself to becoming the best player on the team, and he did just that, earning MVP at the end of the season. And in 2023, when he decided to make a change in his life, he quit smoking, picked up running, struggled at times, and found his way to becoming a consistent sub-3 marathoner.

Adversity doesn't have to win if you just beat it with positivity and consistency. That is Rafa's story. 

Brandy Hoffman had signed up for the Houston Marathon before. And every time, she found a reason not to start.

This year, she finally said yes, and toed the line as a first-time marathoner.

Brandy is a wellness coach with DLDNation, known for helping women do hard things and chase big goals. But this time, the work was personal. When the miles got heavy, she leaned on something unexpected: the voices of her family, sent through an app called Rally, reminding her why she started.

And at the finish line? A now-viral video from her daughter that perfectly captured what this race really meant.

This episode is about borrowed courage, finishing what you start, and the power of being supported when you need it most.

Follow Brandy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourresidentyapper?igsh=dWloNHV1eHhpZ2xw

#running #houstonmarathon #runningpodcast #texasrunners 

What if you didn’t start running until later in life — and still ran a 3:35 marathon? Well, this runner did just that.

In Episode 3 of the Strides Through H-Town series on Through Their Stride, I’m joined by Krystle Hodge, Houston Marathon Ambassador and three-time Houston Marathon finisher. Krystle ran a huge PR of 3:35:29, all without a background in competitive sports.

We talk about:

• Starting running later in life and pushing past the mental hurdles
• Battling imposter syndrome as a runner
• Why community matters more than pace
• Sharing the highs and lows of running on social media

If you’ve ever questioned whether you “belong” in the running world, this episode is for you.

#houstonmarathon #running #runningpodcast #texasrunners

From when she was a little girl, Adriana Rodriguez was told she'd never amount to much. Boy, were those doubters proven wrong.

On January 11, Adriana took on the Houston Marathon as her first-ever marathon... and shattered her Boston Qualifying-time with a finish of 3:03:21. Incredible, sure. But that's not the only success she's had in life.

At the age of 16, she was chosen to run cross country and track for St. Edward's University. She was only 17 in her first season, and she's thriving with the team. And on top of that, she's on pace to graduate at just 19 years old.

From overcoming dyslexia, to building a life for herself, a community of runners, and quite the running resume, we talk about everything she did to get to where she is today, all of the teammates and coaches she is thankful for, and her plans to potentially qualify for the Olympic Trials someday.

Thank you, Adriana, for sharing your story on Through Their Stride. If you like this story, please leave a comment, share, and subscribe!

PHOTO CREDIT: Adrian Gutierrez Photography (www.adriangutierrezphotography.com)

In the first episode of Strides Through H-Town, I sit down with Taco (@tacoxrun), a Houston-based runner whose journey is rooted in patience, growth, and belief.

Taco is a two-time marathoner, with his first marathon taking place at the Mexico City Marathon and his second right here on home turf at the  Houston Marathon. In this conversation, we talk about how his approach to running has evolved step by step over the years — and how that same steady growth has shaped his life beyond the road.

One of the driving forces behind Taco’s pursuit of big goals is his desire to honor his parents’ decision to move from Mexico to Texas in hopes of giving him a better life. That gratitude fuels his mindset, his work ethic, and his willingness to chase dreams that once felt out of reach.

We also talk about self-doubt, starting before you feel ready, and how Taco uses his platform to encourage others to believe in what’s possible — even when they don’t yet believe in themselves. Looking ahead, he shares his goal of one day taking on an Ironman, not out of pressure, but out of curiosity and confidence built over time.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen all at once — it happens one step, one mile, and one decision at a time.

#marathonrunning #houstonmarathon #houston #texasrunners 

In part 2 of my conversation with Kristian Warwick , he dives into his journey with running since hiring a coach, how taking the big, scary steps has led to The Marathon Podcast's success, and what he has planned for the podcast and for his training in 2026.

Thank you so much to Kristian for coming to the podcast and sharing your story. And thank you all for your continued support of Through Their Stride.

LISTEN to The Marathon Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EYFxkoe1Fk1DlIptEvWo4
WATCH The Marathon Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMarathonPodcast

​Kristian Warwick only recently started running marathons. But it didn't take long for him to fall in love with the sport.

After qualifying for the Boston Marathon in his first race with a time of 2:52, this former speed skater knew this was something he wanted to invest his time in. And that, he has.

But not only does he love chasing big goals for himself (he eventually wants to run a 2:25 marathon... or faster), he also enjoys sharing the experiences of runners — whether elite or your everyday jogger — on his well-known podcast, ⁩The Marathon Podcast. Kristian has been a filmmaker and photographer for a long time, making beautiful videos and capturing perfect moments for his business, Wiild Studio, so storytelling is nothing new to him. And that's evident in the episodes he's published thus far.

However, sharing runners' stories isn't the only thing The Marathon Podcast has become known for. In conjunction with the podcast, he began offering The Marathon Podcast Sponsorship to up-in-coming elite runners who may not be sponsored yet.

In this episode, we break down how he got into running, what he's loved most about hosting the podcast, and how being the "weird kid" when you're little usually turns you into a successful and unique individual as you get older.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kristian. If you do, please remember to like, comment, share, and subscribe. It helps me continue to tell the stories of runners in Texas and far beyond.

If you know a runner who should be featured, please let me know by sending me an email at [email protected].

WATCH The Marathon Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMarathonPodcast
LISTEN to The Marathon Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EYFxkoe1Fk1DlIptEvWo4

What starts as a single marathon can turn into something far bigger.

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Carrie Fromme—a Canadian-born runner now living in Texas—whose journey into running quickly grew into a mission of purpose. After discovering her love for endurance, Carrie set her sights on using running as a force for good.

In 2025—and again in 2026—Carrie is taking on a 24-hour run as part of Hope Endures 24, raising money for children in Honduras. Last year, she ran over 60 miles and raised more than $23,000. This year, her goal is even bolder: 100 miles and $100,000 raised to create lasting impact.

🏃‍♀️ Support Carrie’s Run & Donate:
👉 Visit https://hundredmilehome.com to learn more and contribute
📲 Follow Carrie & Run With Purpose:
Follow Carrie on Instagram @carriefromme and tag her in your stories when you run to help raise awareness and spread the mission.

This is a powerful conversation about saying yes to discomfort, chasing purpose, and discovering how far running can reach when it’s about more than the miles.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please review, comment, follow, and share Through Their Stride—and help these stories reach farther than ever before.

#runner #running #runningpodcast #HopeEndures24 #purpose 

A Texas-born podcast sharing the stories of runners from here at home and far beyond.

Listen now at throughtheirstride.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Some episodes stay with you long after you stop recording — and this is one of those.

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Faith Husmann and her dad, Cody Stewart, to talk about what it meant for them to run the Marine Corps Marathon together.

Faith’s running journey began years earlier, inspired by watching her dad take on a 50K when she was younger. Cody had already been running for years before that, but the biggest impact he made wasn’t a finish time — it was the example he set. Last year, Faith carved out her own milestone by running a sub-four-hour marathon at the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon. This year, she lined up shoulder to shoulder with the man who inspired it all.

Cody is also a Marine Corps veteran, which made running the Marine Corps Marathon together even more meaningful — a race layered with service, legacy, and family.

This conversation goes beyond pacing strategies and race-day nerves. It’s about inspiration passed down, growth earned, and the power of sharing the miles with someone who helped shape who you are.

🎧 Listen now to one of my favorite episodes of Through Their Stride so far.

#running #runningpodcast #marinecorps #marinecorpsmarathon #texasrunners