Angie Miyashiro

At 5 foot 1 and 84 pounds, Angie Miyashiro, looks almost elfin. But don’t be deceived, this woman is a ball of muscle, lifts hardcore weights and can run forever. Whatever she takes on, it’s at full force.

Angie caught my eye in July 2009, at the USATF Masters T&F Champs. Who was this tiny, almost child-like woman, with blond surfer hair, a bohemian style, adorned with beads and leather bracelets?

She was friendly and easygoing yet passionate and determined.

The RunDown

Angie Miyashiro, Age 56. Born in Arizona, 8 March 1953.
Lives in Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii.
Married to Stewart Miyashiro (distance runner) for 11 years.
Pets: dogs, Ezekiel & Samson and cats, Shiloh & Imam.
P.E. Teacher with a Doctorate in Sports Education.
Distance Runner – 5k, 10k, marathon.

Running Achievements:

Made All-American at Mesa Community College, Arizona.
Won USA Masters Outdoor T&F Nationals:
W45 Orono, ME, 08/08/2002
5000m - 19:16.07, 10,000m - 39:17.65
W50 Eugene, OR, 08/07/2003
5000m - 19:50.90, 10,000m - 40:29.19

Angie has held many Age-Group race records from 10k to the marathon. She currently holds the W50 Kona Marathon of 3:25.14 and the W55 Kona Half Marathon of 1:44.12.

On the Run

As Angie sees it, she’s always been on the run. "My mom says I came out running. Being my size you have to run to keep up. Plus my grandfather had a dairy farm and we ran all over. My dad didn’t need a hunting dog. He’d send me through the cornfields to flush out birds and rabbits.

I’ve always liked to compete, but coming from a small town, I pretty much ran with the guys and was known as the little girl who would outrun the boys..."

A Father’s Encouragement

"My dad inspired me, teaching me how to do all sports, be tough, and not play like a girl. Whether I was competing against a male or female, he inspired me to give it all. He wouldn’t treat me differently than my brothers. Sometimes, he’d make me mad and that would make me try even harder.

I wished my dad had stayed fit he would’ve cleaned up in masters. He was a varsity sprinter and ran the 100-yard dash in 10.2, in the 1940’s. I’m an endurance animal but got some of his fast twitch."

A Call to Teach

Angie teaches Physical Education at Ka’u High School, in a rural area of the Big Island, Hawaii. She’s head coach for track and cross country, and one of the senior advisers for graduation. "I get to play all day and get paid for it."

Angie devotes much of her free time to watching and supporting her kids at their games. She buys lots of equipment, as many of the kids don’t have much.

"High schoolers are hormonally challenged and sometimes they get to me, but I can handle them. You’ve got to walk the talk. I tell them if you can keep up with me for a mile, I’ll give you a day off. It gives them a challenge."

Teaching is more than a career it’s a passion. Angie’s been teaching for 11 years, living out a childhood dream. "As a little girl, I played school with my dolls. But people told me you won’t make money as a teacher." So Angie studied pre-med and was a dental hygienist for a few years, before going back to get her teaching degrees.

Last summer, she graduated with her doctorate in sports education. Angie’s ultimate dream is to teach college. However, with the slow economy she dares not move and is waiting for things to improve.

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Angie-Miyashiro-running-USATF-Masters-Champs

Angie-Miyashiro-running-USATF-Masters-Champs

Why Run

Angie believes, like teaching, she was destined to run. Good at other sports but small, she got knocked around. Running was a natural fit.

"I’m hyperkinetic with a fast metabolism so weight has never been an issue. I’ve really never run for health, although in the back of my mind because my degrees are in exercise physiology, I think about it.

On very stressful days at school or if I get some sad news, all I can think about is going out to run. I just run until I get the stress out."

Angie Miyashiro, silver W55 5K,
'09 USATF Masters T&F Champs
Photo Credit: USATF, Kristina Hervey

Staying Healthy

Since the age of four, Angie’s been asthmatic. "My nemesis is colds and allergies. I’ve suffered from them my whole life." She watches what she eats to train well and breathe easier. Angie has never done drugs or alcohol but doesn’t consider herself a health nut. "I eat a ton of vegetables, some meat, and love corn. I tell everyone, I’m bio fueled and solar powered!"

Making the Treadmill Sing

Angie does half her training on the treadmill, 2-4 runs a week. "It helps with my allergies and I’m pretty challenged without it. I can zone out, have fun, do a ton of stuff and make it sing. I love cranking up the speed and elevation.

Also I get to watch football and basketball games during my recovery time. Plus I like the social part, the chit chat with people on the other machines."

As well as fartlek, she throws in plyometrics, such as butt kicks and high knees. Many of us struggle to run a mile on the treadmill. Angie does long runs of two hours and her record on the treadmill is an amazing three hours. "That was pretty brutal. My legs were fine but my mind found it hard in that last hour. My theory is if I can handle the tread I can handle anything."

Incredible Strength

To look at Angie’s slight frame you wouldn’t guess she squats 200 pounds, does one-handed push-ups and beats her students in pull-ups. She started lifting weights in college and hasn’t stopped.

Angie does 5-6 sessions a week, a lot more than most runners. "I lift as heavy as I can and do 4-6 reps. I enjoy it and believe the stronger you are the faster you are. Also I rarely get injured."

The gym’s her second home. "It’s my happy place and I’m close to people there. Everyone’s supportive, asking about my training and racing. But they know when I’m in the zone and get that look, not to bother me."

Not Your Typical Running Injuries

Many distance runners have logged plenty of injuries, as well as miles. For Angie her job as P.E. teacher has its hazards, with broken fingers playing basketball and volleyball with her kids. Another time it was a fractured foot, after an encounter with a big Samoan boy in soccer. Last fall, Angie sprained her ankle, hopping a fence to escape a runaway bull.

Mostly Solo

With a busy and erratic schedule, Angie mostly runs by herself, joining others on her easy play days. She’s a member of a Hawaii masters club in Honolulu, but the travel makes it difficult to run with them. Angie’s husband, Stewart, a distance runner, supports her running but they each do their own thing.

When she’s not on the treadmill, Angie loves running the hills around her home in Volcano, with it’s 3000+ elevation. She does lots of tempo runs, plus 50 and 100 meter strides to keep her legs moving fast.

Angie takes one day off every two weeks. Although teaching P.E. doesn’t mean she gets a complete rest day. "I need a formal day off for a mental break more than anything else."

Angie gets advice from Ed Billinsky, a former marathoner who ran with Frank Shorter and Bill Rogers. "He’s a top notch guy. It’s pretty informal, we talk but he doesn’t pressure me. Ed prepped me for the track this summer and the Honolulu marathon."

26 Miles & 25 Laps

Angie has run around 14 marathons and her best time is 2.46. "I’m a baby marathoner and still learning." Her favorite distance is the 10k, especially on the track. "I love it, combining my dad’s speed with my endurance."

She recently won the 10k at the Senior Olympics in Hawaii, both her age group and overall. "I really want to get back under 40 minutes. I believe I’m strong enough to do it."

Running Down a Dream

Angie’s dream is to run the Boston Marathon. She’s qualified many times but something’s always come up.

She’d also love to compete at the 2011 World Masters in Sacramento. "My only experience was at the 2001 Worlds in Brisbane, Australia. I was like a deer in the headlights and got overwhelmed. I just missed third, finishing fourth in all my events (5k, 10k, marathon).

But it was so cool. I had the time of my life. I know next time, if I stay healthy, I can medal."

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How inspiring! I am a 54 year old runner and sometimes get discouraged in my training. This article got me feeling very inspired and excited. I want to thank Angie for ...

Angie Miyashiro

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