When it comes to running, Joe Gray is a Jack of all Trades. Whether it be a challenging mountain race, competitive cross country meet, or long distance road race, Gray is dominant and successful across each discipline.
A Washington transplant now living in Colorado Springs, Gray has a lot to learn about Colorado: “I haven’t had much experience racing in Colorado quite yet but hopefully by the end of the year I can answer this with much more detail.”
Gray may not have much history in Colorado, but he certainly has experience in the sport. In just seven years, Gray has racked up wins and top finishes at a handful of prestigious events, such as the Pikes Peak Ascent, Mount Washington Road Race, and various USATF titles.
Read on to find out how Gray is acclimating to Colorado, as well as how eggnog fuels his training regimen.
Quick Stats
Name: Joseph Gray
Age: 31
Hometown & Current: Lakewood, WA and currently Colorado Springs
Professional & Educational background: Professional Distance Runner
B.A. in Sociology
M.S. in Criminology
Sports participated in: Cross Country, Track, Road Running, Trail, Mountain, Skyrunning
Years in current sport: 7
Racing Team: SCOTT Sports, Club Northwest
Sponsors/Affiliations: SCOTT Sports, Mio Global, Spenco Medical, Club Northwest, Flora Health, Beet Elite, SOS Rehydrate, Cathey Chiropractic, Action Potential Physical Therapy, Garden of Life
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
Winning my 9th USA National Title was a priceless moment. Another would be representing Team USA for the 17th time in my career. I’m a patriotic person so for me, representing my country is held on high regards and gives me a feeling of pride. Making National teams allows me to provide a service to my country. It also provides a period of reflection. Whenever I’ve made a National team I reflect back on the courageous soldiers who have fought for our country and make sure to not forget the lives lost in the wars to protect our freedoms.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
Long Term I’d like to make 20+ National Teams and win at least 11 US National Titles. As an athlete these achievements are very important as being competitive is what most of us fell in love with in the beginning of our professional journeys. In addition, to athletic feats with my feet I’d also like to get more involved in developing races that offer elites and recreational athletes something unique and exciting. I’m also interesting in expanding my coaching and maybe getting back into youth coaching to develop our up and coming generation!
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado was just a great experience for me since the first time I visited some years back. My coach is here, lots of support in the local community, the beautiful front range and of course great weather to grow hot peppers!
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
Typically I train at least once a day. I don’t have a regimen. I run either before breakfast or after depending on how hungry I am when I wake up. If my body is too beat up from training the previous days then I will either run once or not at all. I try to make sure that I get in 1-2 workouts per week during my racing season and during the build up phase I try to get my mileage above 90 miles per week. I don’t cross train because I find it to be stressful and boring. If I’m injured I just relax and let the body heal rather than go crazy cross training.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
Rest & make sure to realize running is simple. I don’t make it more complex than it needs to be.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
Nutritionally I have always just made sure I get a variety of foods. Now a days, mostly healthy foods but also I keep “bad” food and sweets in my diet because honestly, you only live once and I want to enjoy the food I eat. Sometimes good food that is unhealthy can bring joy to you so why abandon that? (;
For recovery I like to have Garden of Life Raw Protein with eggnog or milk. My favorite recovery meal would have to be my recipe for a 3 cheese gnocchi!
Do you have any recommended resources to share?
I’d recommend anybody interested in taking part in a great running seminar to check out the Estes Park Trail Running Conference!
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
This year my favorite race is the USA XC Championships because I love Cross Country! I haven’t had much experience racing in Colorado quite yet but hopefully by the end of the year I can answer this with much more detail.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
I don’t have a favorite place quite yet. It really depends on the season. I have some portions of the year where my training is more geared towards off road and other parts of the year where I’m focused on road races so my areas for training change frequently throughout the year.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: SCOTT Sports (Specifically the T2 Kinabalu and the Race Rocker)
Favorite post-run/race beverage: I LOVE Eggnog!! Great all around beverage in my opinion
Favorite post-run/race meal: Gnocchi or Pizza. Whatever I have access to!
Role models: Jesse Owens, Thomas Gray (Father), Jackie Robinson
Day job: Athlete
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? American Distance Project
Favorite Restaurant: BJ’s
Favorite Coffee Shop: My wife’s coffee!
Favorite Bar: Green Man Taproom
Favorite Running Store: The Balanced Athlete and 7 Hills Running Shop (WA)
Favorite non-running activity: Basketball or cooking
Favorite TV Show: Not much of a TV show guy
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movie: Enemy Mine
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
Almost dying
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Don’t brag about your training because It doesn’t matter what you do in training if you can’t perform when its time to work.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
I try to live my life knowing that every day is precious and that every day you wake up, its a blessing because you were not promised that day. So, I try to make the most of it and live life in the brightest of hues.
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
To be honest negativity has always motivated me since I began sports. I’ve gone up against a lot of opposition in my life in various ways. These things truly fuel my fire when it comes time to toe the line.