Key Tenets
Foundation of Faith
Acknowledging that our efforts are in vain without Christ, Heron Athletes strive to glorify God in whatever our hands find to do: choosing discomfort, doing hard things, and trusting in the Lord. We run the race in such a way as to pursue the eternal prize of salvation and endure faithfully to our finish line.
- "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." – Psalm 127:1
- "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." – Ecclesiastes 9:10
- "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run (in such a way) that you may obtain it." – 1 Corinthians 9:24
Miles Before Medals
Our focus will be on building mileage, speed, and consistency while minimizing injury risk. The goal is an efficient, systemized approach to improving your lactate threshold, VO₂ max, and running economy. Just as importantly, if you don’t enjoy the months of training, then what’s the point? Our training plans are designed to help you push yourself, embrace the struggle, and find enjoyment in the process. It's training for life; the heron way!
Prioritized Perspective
Running should not become the center of an athlete’s world. Life has many priorities that should remain above training. As a result, Heron Athletes will run a maximum of six days a week, maintaining balance while maximizing their potential. Seek God, not glory, and you'll find joy.
Meet Your Coach
Jay is a former Division I cross country and track athlete who was forced to step away from running due to a chronic condition. In the early 2020s, he set a personal goal: not only to return to running but to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Over the next three years, Jay dove into extensive research and applied his findings through self-experimentation. His mission was to develop a training system that prioritized both enjoyment and performance; one that optimized the body’s systems and was efficient enough to help even those with chronic conditions reach ambitious goals. Using this system, Jay successfully qualified for the Boston Marathon.
Building on that success, Jay expanded his testing to a broader audience through the Night Heron Run Club in 2024. From that group, he began coaching his first 12 official athletes. All but one achieved personal records (the exception served as a pacer), and four earned Boston Qualifying times.
Jay is now a USATF Certified Marathon Coach and has continued to refine and solidify his training system. He’s excited to help athletes reach new heights, coaching them the Heron way.
Night Heron Running Club
HA's Home Club:
Night Heron Running Club is a grassroots brotherhood that meets several times a week for runs, fellowship, and coffee. While many Heron Athletes are part of NHRC, it’s not a requirement. The club is free to join, and I encourage all Heron Athletes to connect with a run club like NHRC to share miles with friends and make the training journey more enjoyable.
Interested in joining Night Heron Run Club for a run? I’d be happy to share more details and help you get connected.
Heron Athletics Logo
Our Logo
Originally, the "Derpy Dog" logo was just meant to be a placeholder. It was a joke created by a friend based on a funny bluebonnet photo shoot of Coach Jay and his dog, Vail.
But over time, it came to embody the essence of what Heron Athletics has become. Too often, we chase goals, dreams, and endless pursuits while losing sight of the joy that sparked them in the first place.
Now, the "Derpy Dog" logo represents that original joy and serves as a reminder of why we started in the first place.
We know it’s a little confusing that a dog is the logo for a company named after a water bird... but we hope it makes you smile, reminds you of your why, and encourages you to enjoy the process every step of the way.