In this compelling follow-up episode, Matt Campbell returns to share his evolved approach to racing and the mindset shifts that have transformed his competitive strategy. From his dominant performance at the Velvet Hammer 5K to his ambitious sub-2:30 marathon goals, Matt breaks down how he's learned to race the competition rather than chase times.

Matt opens up about his tactical approach to the Velvet Hammer 5K, where he brought his Completely Sloth teammates and executed a perfectly planned race strategy—breaking the 5K into kilometers with specific mantras for each segment. He reveals how letting go of time fixation and focusing on execution has actually made him faster and more confident on race day.

Beyond racing tactics, Matt dives deep into the challenge of balancing elite-level training with family life and a demanding career. He discusses his "three pillars" philosophy—family, work, and running—and how he's learned to periodize his life while keeping family as the top priority. From skipping Boston Marathon to be present for his family to the reality of 5 AM training sessions, Matt shares honest insights about making sacrifices and finding sustainable balance.

The conversation also covers the often-overlooked importance of strength training for runners, injury prevention through experience, and the mental game that separates good runners from great ones. Matt candidly discusses his upcoming California International Marathon goal, his transition into speed season, and his growing role as both a coach and community builder in the DFW running scene.

Whether you're chasing PRs or simply trying to fit running into a busy life, Matt's perspective on racing smart, training purposefully, and maintaining balance offers valuable lessons for runners at every level.

Topics Covered:

• Race strategy and execution over time goals
• Balancing elite training with family and career
• The importance of strength training for runners
• Building and leading running communities
• Mental approaches to competition and goal-setting
• Upcoming race plans and sub-2:30 marathon goals

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Michael Mazzara, CEO of Rogue Expeditions, who's revolutionizing how runners think about their sport. After signing up for 20 marathons and only finishing 3 due to constant injuries, Michael discovered there's more to running than chasing PRs and collecting race medals.

From his early days attempting untrained half marathons in Brooklyn to building a successful running travel company in Austin, Michael shares his journey of falling out of love with racing and into love with adventure. He explains why he believes the running community has become too focused on competition and how Rogue Expeditions offers an alternative—immersive cultural travel experiences for runners who want to explore the world's most beautiful trails without the pressure of race day.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why most running opportunities feel "too one-dimensional"
• The difference between running a city during a race vs. truly experiencing it
• How running travel compares to cycling tours and yoga retreats
• What it's like to run through Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Iceland's glaciers, and Italy's Dolomites
• Why the "stop racing, start exploring" philosophy resonates with so many runners
• How Rogue Expeditions creates adventures for all fitness levels with expert guides

Whether you're burned out on racing, curious about destination running, or simply love hearing about epic adventures, this conversation will challenge how you think about your running journey. Michael's passion for creating meaningful experiences over competitive achievements offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a runner.

What happens when a former ski bum who used to hide in pickup trucks to avoid running decides to chase a Boston qualifier in his very first marathon? You get one of the most inspiring transformation stories we've ever featured on DFW Running Talk.

Host Chris Detzel interviews Kevin Hebert, a 46-year-old who went from running just twice a week with Dallas Running Club to breaking 3:10 in his marathon debut. In this captivating conversation, Kevin shares his incredible journey from someone who "would never run a marathon" to crossing the finish line at California International Marathon in a stunning 3:08:58.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Kevin transformed from a casual half-marathoner to a sub-3:10 machine in just one training cycle
• The mindset shift that changed everything (hint: it involved quitting coffee and alcohol)
• Why he hired a coach for his first marathon and how it paid off
• The exact training approach that took him from 35 miles per week to 70 miles at peak
• His emotional finish line moment and immediate plans for marathon #2
• The power of running with experienced groups like White Rock Running Co-op

Whether you're a weekend warrior wondering what's possible or a seasoned runner looking for motivation, Kevin's story proves that with the right focus, coaching, and community, extraordinary breakthroughs can happen faster than you think.

This isn't just another running story – it's proof that sometimes the biggest transformations come from the most unexpected places.