Introduction to Running

By: Hayden Gray, DPT

Welcome to what could become a monthly source of inspiration and tips for all things running. If you choose to follow along here's a sneak peek into what you can expect each month. I will dive into a specific running topic, whether it's short-distance sprints, middle-distance challenges, long-distance marathons, ultra-runs, or more. We’ll also cover essential topics like footwear, injury prevention, running mechanics, improving speed, enhancing endurance, and much more. But first, let me introduce myself and share a little about my running journey.

Hayden's Running Journey 

Some of you may already know me, but for those who don't, my running story began back in high school. It all started the summer before my sophomore year. After rehabbing from an injury, I was eager to return to the soccer field for preseason. However, my conditioning wasn’t where it needed to be. That's when I crossed paths with the high school track coach, who was also doing personal training in the area. I jumped in with him, and after a few weeks of training, he suggested I consider running track instead of playing lacrosse. At first, I brushed off the idea, but the more I trained, the more I saw improvements—and I loved it. I enjoyed the fact that progress in track is so measurable. Watching my times drop and seeing myself improve so quickly was an awesome reward.

Fast forward, and I became fully invested in track and field. This passion led me to UMass Amherst, where I was a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams, competing in events from the 60m to the 400m, as well as the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. After college, I shifted to long-distance running and triathlons. Imagine going from sprinting 0.037 miles to running a full 26.2-mile marathon in 3 hours—a huge shift, right?

This transition taught me valuable lessons about training for both speed and endurance, and how to stay healthy while doing it. I’ve learned how to excel in both domains and how to balance the two in training.

Excited to Share with You! 

I’m excited to pass along what I’ve learned over the years, and I hope you’ll enjoy the tips, stories, and knowledge I’ll be sharing. Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned runner, there’s always something new to learn.

Fun fact: I’ve never had an injury from long-distance running... Curious to know how? You’ll have to follow along each month to find out!