Jay Johnson

Jay Johnson is a coach and author who works with high school distance runners, their coaches, and their families. His book Consistency Is Key: 15 Ways to Unlock Your Potential as a High School Runner has sold more than 24,000 copies. He wrote it with his 16-year-old self in mind, sharing what he wishes he had known back then about how to run faster. Jay is also the author of Simple Marathon Training: The Right Training for Busy Adults with Hectic Lives.

Jay ran cross country and track at the University of Colorado under Mark Wetmore and was on the 1998 team featured in Chris Lear's Running with the Buffaloes. He holds a master's degree in kinesiology and applied physiology. In 2000, at age 24, he became the head cross country and track coach at Pratt Community College. From 2002 to 2008 he coached middle distance runners and served as recruiting coordinator at Colorado, where the teams won four national cross country championships during those years. He later worked with professional runners and coached three USATF champions.

His conference for high school distance coaches, called the Boulder Running Clinics, draws more than 200 high school coaches each year to Boulder, Colorado. Through his business, Next Mile Recruiting, Jay helps families navigate the complexities of the modern college recruiting process. You can find Jay @coachjayjohnson on social media.