Houston runner, coffee-roaster owner, and music lover Alan Ortega joins the show to share the story behind his first-ever marathon build.
Alan began running in 2017 alongside the woman who is now his wife. What started as a shared hobby steadily became a meaningful part of his life — taking him through years of progress, consistency, and a near-sub-1:40 half marathon in 2025. Now, he is training for the Chicago Marathon with an even deeper motivation behind every long run.
Alan is running for BandWith Chicago, a nonprofit that helps connect young people with opportunities to learn, create, and participate in music programs. From band and drumline to jazz, hip-hop, guitar, vocals, and community ensembles, BandWith Chicago works to make music accessible to more kids.
In this conversation, Alan talks about:
How he and his wife found running together in 2017
The gradual progression that led him close to a 1:40 half marathon
What has surprised him most during his first marathon-training cycle
Balancing running, family life, music, and operating Fermata Coffee Roasters
Why running for BandWith Chicago has strengthened his "why"
How he feels sharing his journey on Instagram can help other runners see what is possible (a big credit to his wife for the stunning cinematography
This is a conversation about patience, purpose, community, and embracing the long road toward a big goal.
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