Joe Gray has been racing a lot! I counted at least six races in a four week span last month. Included in that stretch was a first-place, new American record run at New Hampshire’s steep (!) Mount Washington Road Race. Gray, a perennial member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team, ran 58:15 up the 7.6-mile auto road, which averages a 12% grade. For that performance, Joe Gray is our June “The Runner Box” Colorado Runner of the Month.
Joe, congrats on the big win at Mount Washington! It took you a long time to win at Mount Washington, but now you’ve won two years in a row and have run the second-fastest time ever, and fastest time ever by an American. What have you done the last few years to become a better climber? Is part of it living in Colorado, or have you really worked on climbing in your training?
I typically have a short build up for Mt. Washington and the race is more used as a build up for the upcoming mountain season. A blessing in disguise happened when I had to deal with some niggles and health issues so I had cut my earlier season a bit short but this allowed me two more weeks of easy build up without rushing into workouts so mentally I’ve just had a better prep. It’s hard to say whether my climbing has really improved over last year as I feel I was healthy for a longer period of time coming into last year. I think more than anything, this year I had a goal to run a specific time whereas last year I was focused on just racing the top guys to the finish.
I assume the U.S. mountain running championships in Bend, Oregon on July 25 will be a goal race, and assuming that goes well, the World Mountain Running Association championships on September 19 in Europe too. What other races do you have penciled in for this year?
The World Championship is actually in Wales, a country I’ve never been to so I’m definitely looking to put out a solid performance in Bend and get on the World team once again. I have some races in the mountain running circuit both in USA and in Europe, so I will be heading overseas shortly to compete in Norway and Switzerland
Myself, and I’m sure others, are impressed by your versatility. You’ve done very well on the track, at the half marathon distance, the Boston Marathon, cross country, 50k on the road, and of course in mountain running. It’s all running, but that’s a pretty diverse skill set. I assume you feel like they compliment each other, and that it helps to keep the training fresh and new, or do you think you could run, say, a marathon faster if you really focused on just one part of the sport?
I believe focus is key with any distinction. My versatility really stems from my love of competing rather than just being a skill set I’d say. I wouldn’t recommend it but it’s fun to compete so I can’t help but mix it up whenever I get a chance.
You’re racing in several of the Collegiate Running Association’s events this year and I’ve got to say, it’s kind of awkward to think of you as a collegiate! You are a student though? Having raced all over the world and at the top levels, does it feel weird racing in a “collegiate” race?
Not at all. Steve Taylor has created an opportunity for those of us who want to extend our knowledge later in life by allowing a series of races for athletes experiencing similar lifestyles, living a normal life as well as aspiring to further our education. College is a privilege so I look at this as a very special opportunity to assist me in paying for additional education and allowing me to come closer to life goals for later in life.
You’ve done a lot, made a whole bunch of national teams. What other running goals do you still have?
To continue doing just that and setting records along the way!
What’s your favorite thing in the Runner Box?
“Leave the research to us, and we’ll leave the training to you,” says Runner Box. The Runner Box is a subscription-based service that delivers a “box” of runner-friendly goodies to you every other month, items like gels, bars, and other accessories hand-picked to add to your running. Many items are new to the market, and new items are expected with each box. A great service for yourself, the boxes also make great gifts and are often themed around holidays.