The Unexpected Champion: Shantel Cloud's Running Story of Persistence and Potential

DFW Running Talk

This episode of DFW Running Talk features host Chris Detzel interviewing Shantel Cloud, an accomplished runner from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The conversation traces Shantel's running journey from her early beginnings to her recent achievements.

Shantel began running in middle school, initially motivated by a desire to bond with her father, who was a talented runner. Though naturally gifted, she admits she didn't fully apply herself during her school years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she had access to excellent training opportunities and professional runners. Her relationship with running took a dramatic turn when her father passed away unexpectedly during her college years. After receiving news about his death the same day she had excitedly told him about joining a running class, she took several years away from the sport.

Eventually, Shantel returned to running as a way to feel connected to her father's memory. She joined the Dallas Running Club (DRC) around 2011, where she became increasingly involved, serving on the board and later becoming a pace leader for training groups. Her first marathon attempt was planned for Dallas, but hip issues prevented her from completing the training. She then targeted the Mountains to Beach Marathon in California, where she aimed to qualify for Boston but hit the wall at mile 20.

The conversation details her progression as a marathoner, including qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon in 2015, where she achieved a PR of 3:17. She maintained similar times even after having her first daughter in 2016 and twins later. A significant breakthrough came when she reconnected with Shadrach, a former high school running acquaintance who had become a coach. Under his guidance, she improved dramatically, dropping her time to 3:06 at Mountains to Beach.

Recent achievements include winning the Cowtown Marathon in challenging heat conditions, where she made a dramatic pass in the final mile to break the tape as the first finisher. Most notably, just two weeks before the interview, she achieved a remarkable sub-3 hour marathon at CIM (California International Marathon), running 2:58. This achievement came after adding a nutritionist to her support team and having all her children in school full-time, allowing for more focused training.

Throughout the interview, Shantel discusses various aspects of her development as a runner, including the importance of proper recovery, nutrition, and the mental aspects of racing. She emphasizes how having children has actually helped her mental toughness in marathoning, teaching her to break challenges into smaller, manageable goals. The conversation also touches on the value of having professional support through coaching and nutrition guidance, and how these elements helped her continue improving even as she aged.

The episode concludes with Shantel expressing hope that her running journey and achievements serve as an inspiration to her children, teaching them valuable lessons about setting and pursuing goals.