Runner’s World+ Member: Kevin Gray
Kevin is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I have never enjoyed running as much as I do now. My brother and I started running 5k and 10k races when we were 8 or 9 years old. I ran cross country in high school and continued running local races into my mid 20s. And then I kinda just stopped. Raising kids, married, college, career; I just didn't make time to run. Then in my mid 40s I was having health problems and overweight. So I called up my brother and said, “Hey let's start running.” My brother is one year and one week older than me. We were both overweight and hadn’t run in decades.
Once I got past the endless injuries of trying to run, I remembered I could run. I enjoyed running more than ever. My kids thought it was weird at first. They didn’t know me as a runner. Then I started doing distance events. My kids thought I was crazy. I lost 65 lbs. and ran my first marathon in 4:20. I hired a coach, ran another 2,000 miles over 15 months and BQ’d. I ran my second marathon in 3:26 and third marathon in 3:16. I ran Boston in 2019.
My brother and I run local races and have finished several races in 1st and 2nd place. I feel like I have been given a second chance in life.
I enjoy all the articles about nutrition, injury prevention, races, etc.
I feel like I reset my day. I always feel better when I run. I love being outside.
I run mostly on streets. I try and incorporate parks into my loops. I am very fortunate to have great parks and run-friendly streets. I have one 18-mile loop that runs along a river and is just beautiful, and at about mid way, I have a 3 mile climb that I have come to love.
I love running in compression tights. My kids really don’t like me wearing them. But my Skins compression tights just feel awesome. I don’t wear headphones. I like quiet runs listening to my breath and cadence. Running can be fun, exciting, challenging, humbling. On group runs I usually listen more than talk.
I would like to run a sub-3 marathon, but I’m not sure if I will put in the training. I enjoy the distance events and I’m considering running an ultra or maybe some trail running. I have a pretty long list of marathons I want to experience. I just came back from the Miami Marathon. Miami was awesome.
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