Team Member Spotlight

In Taylor Lake Village, just outside Houston, Jason Warren’s life moves to a rhythm that blends music, miles, and meaningful moments with his family. By day, he’s a dedicated high school band director at Pasadena High School. Beyond the classroom, he’s a longtime member of the Texas Beef Team, a marathoner chasing legacy status, and—most importantly—a father raising two young boys to embrace an active, healthy life.

Warren joined the Beef Team in 2018, and over the past eight years, it’s become far more than a running group. “I enjoy running with the Beef Team, but more importantly are the friends that I’ve gained,” he says. “There is a strong Beef Team group in the Clear Lake area that have become good friends.” Those friendships extend beyond races, into volunteer events and everyday life, where the sense of community runs just as strong as the miles.

His favorite Beef Team moments reflect that connection. Whether it’s the energy of the We Are Houston 5K—“It’s always great to cheer around so many Beef Team members”—or quieter, more personal milestones, the impact is lasting. One standout memory was with his 5-year-old son Wesley. “I expected the two of us to walk the 5K,” Warren recalls. “Instead, Wesley, for the first time, ever decided to run almost the entire 5K… it was quite impressive.”

That pride in his children is woven through everything Warren does. He and his wife Carly are raising two boys, Wesley (5) and Vincent (2) along with their pet children, rescued Schnauzers, Renaldo and Everest. Family time is his primary hobby, and increasingly, it overlaps with his running life. Wesley now regularly joins him at volunteer events and races, even sharing in one small but telling tradition: steak night. “Now when I get a steak, I have to share it with Wesley,” Warren laughs. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get to eat my steak by myself again.”

A self-described “beef guy,” Warren keeps things simple when it comes to food. Ribeyes and New York Strips are staples, usually prepared with minimal fuss. “Just a good steak on the grill,” he says. It’s a fitting approach for someone who values consistency over complication—not just in his diet, but in his training mindset as well.

Warren didn’t come to running early in life. In fact, he didn’t start until after turning 40. His endurance roots began on the bike, cycling long distances on weekends, but a shift in priorities—and safety concerns after seeing too many friends injured—led him to lace up his running shoes instead. That first run was humbling. “My first mile was around my band practice field after a Monday night rehearsal. It was horrible,” he admits. “I was cycling 50 miles… but I couldn’t run one mile.” Still, he stuck with it. Over time, that single mile turned into marathons—finishing eight Houston Marathons so far, with a goal of reaching ten to earn legacy status.  

When asked about motivation, Warren shrugs off anything overly complicated. “I’m not sure what my motivation is, but I keep lacing up.” It’s that steady, habit-driven approach that has carried him through the demands of his career, injuries, and the time constraints of raising young children. As a high school band director, his schedule is packed, especially during marching season. Add in coaching his son’s 6U soccer team and volunteering in the community, and free time is limited. Still, he finds ways to stay active—whether through local parkruns, Peloton workouts, or walks with the dogs.

His philosophy on running is refreshingly grounded. “Nobody cares about your time but you,” he says. “However fast or slow you are doesn’t matter at all.” It’s a perspective that strips away pressure and replaces it with purpose—showing up, staying consistent, and enjoying the process.

That mindset carries into his community involvement as well. From volunteering at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival to fostering dogs through Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Texas, Warren’s commitment to giving back is deeply rooted. Recently, he’s taken that passion even further by helping grow a local Healthy Kids Running Series. What started with just 12 participants has already grown to 52, with hopes of reaching 75. “I hope the runners have as much fun as I do,” he says. “It’s also nice that both of my boys run the series. They’re getting a good start on living a healthy lifestyle.”

In many ways, that’s what drives everything Warren does. Not medals, not finish times—but the example he’s setting. “I guess the motivation… is to show my boys it’s important to be healthy and active.”

Whether he’s directing a marching band, running along Houston’s bayous, or sharing a steak with his son, Warren is proof that endurance isn’t just about sport—it’s about showing up, staying steady, and investing in what matters most.

More About Jason:

Favorite Running Gear: I like running in singlets of places that I’ve visited.. When I go somewhere new, I find a new shirt. For the longest time, it was my Honolulu shirt. I had two. In order to get them, I ran to one store, then ran to the other store, and then ran back to my hotel. When running the Bayous in Houston, I would often get an Aloha on my run.

Favorite Song to Listen to While Running: I’m a child of the 80s and 90s, so anything Guns N Roses. Ironically, I also play pool much better when one of their songs comes on.

Post Marathon Tradition: My wife and I have a tradition of going to Niko Nikos, a popular Greek Restaurant, after the Houston Marathon. Top of Form.

Interesting Fact: Has lived in every major city in Texas.