Meet Joe Gray

JOE GRAY

Joe Gray recently won his 14th USA Track and Field National title at the US Mountain Running Championships. The 34-year-old trains with the American Distance Project in Colorado Springs and is currently preparing to represent the United States for the 11th consecutive time at the World Mountain Running Championships in Canillo, Andorra on September 16. He won the World Mountain Running Championships in 2016 in Saparevya Banya, Bulgaria. He’s the 2016 and 2017 XTERRA World Mountain Running Champion and a 7 time recipient of the US Mountain Runner of the Year title. Yet, he’s not slowing down. Far from it. He continues to pile up the accolades and awards and has set his sights on more.

You’ve had so many successes as a runner. What do you feel has been the biggest highlight of your career?

That’s a tough one to answer. So many races in different genres call for a different eye in terms of how you view the accomplishment. When I won the 2016 World Mountain Running Championships and led Team USA to a Gold medal, that moment was a high unlike any other I’ve experienced in Mountain Running in the midst of a team atmosphere. Then, when I won my first National Club Title in Cross Country, I believe that was such a shock not only to me but to my peers of whom many were considered much stronger runners on the track than

I. Then also, when I ran 28:18 for 10K, that was again a big shock and also a very rewarding moment in my career.

What keeps you motivated to keep training so hard?

I have a lot of goals that I personally want to achieve. Being consistent is a tough thing to achieve long term, so I want to approach that goal with everything I have. In order to be consistent, you have to put in the work day in and day out.

To see you race, you make it look effortless. But I assume that a lot of work goes into it! What is your training like right now?

Right now I’m building up for the mountain running season. I had a late start as I wanted to chase the Olympic Trials standard in the marathon and also had a long Cross Country season as I surprised myself and made the USA National Team for the Pan American Cross Country Champs. So at this moment, building volume.

What events are your currently training for?

The next event is the USA National Mountain Running Championships. Later in the summer I’m hoping to represent Team USA at the World Mountain Running Champs as well as represent my sponsors at the Sierre Zinal Mountain Race in Switzerland. A few more races will soon be announced.

What is your current long term goal?

I want to represent Team USA at least 30 times in my career and win as many National Titles as my body will allow.

You recently signed with Hoka. How did that come about?

Well, I became a free agent at a weird period of the year and of course Hoka One One was one of the companies I’ve long been interested in. My management and I began to reach out to some brands but Hoka One One stood out the most in terms of matching up with my athletic pursuits. I seek to be the most diverse athlete and thus, I need a diverse brand. Hoka One One has footwear for any adventure or race I have planned, so it was the best decision I’ve made in my career.

You’re originally from Washington, but you’ve been living and training in Colorado for awhile now. Do you think you’ll stay?

I have no idea where I will be in a few years. I love both states, but also I love some countries in Europe, so who knows where I will end up. One thing is for sure - I will keep a home in Colorado!

Is there anything that you do that you feel is a key to your success as an athlete?

I think mentally I don’t let the disappointments or failures ruin how I feel about myself or about my abilities.

Is there anything that you specifically do for nutrition?

One thing I started to add to my diet are Electrobites for post-run fuel and also during exercise. It helps me keep my electrolytes balanced, which is especially important in the summer months. Also, one major practice I’ve always kept in my regular diet is to eat what you feel like eating. Sometimes I think athletes get too uptight about their diet and it creates stress. So, for me, I make sure to always enjoy my food and to avoid ignoring my cravings.

Are there any issues that are important to you that you would want to talk about?

There are a few issues within the sport that I’m truly passionate about - one of them being the lack of drug testing in and around ultra, mountain, and trail races, but also the development of companies like Quartz, who are posing as Anti-doping within the sport, when in fact, they are doing zero to preserve the sport and keep the sport clean.

What do you mean?

There are companies like Quartz, who are connected to the Golden Trail Series, and they use language that for many athletes who are unfamiliar with, say, the professional side of athletics, and the importance of drug testing, will look at the race being affiliated with this program as if they are keeping the sport clean and preserving the sport. When in fact, Quartz doesn’t actually carry out doping controls and definitely not out of competition anti doping.

Joe’s Favorites

Favorite post run bonk food: Chicago Style pizza or Gnocchi at Quattro Formaggi.

Favorite shoe: Hoka One One Torrent and Hoka Evo Jawz

Favorite Post run snack: Ginger or Salty Cocoa Electrobites with some Yogurt!

Favorite device for analyzing training: Stryd Power meter for running

Follow him at: Twitter: @joegeezi Facebook.com/journeyofjoegeezi

Sponsors: Topical Edge, Stryd Power Meter, Ultimate Direction, Hoka One One, Club Northwest, Spenco Medical