Miyoko is a distance runner, cyclist, and former elite figure skater and member of the Canadian Junior National Figure Skating Team. She has coached beginner through elite figure skaters as well as volunteered and coached with the Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped. She also loves to hike, camp, snowboard, and practice yoga. She is passionate about the power of sports and outdoor experiences to promote change and encourage physical and character development.
RUNNING
Miyoko was fewer than four-feet tall when she raced her first mile (in an event dubbed the Molarthon). Though she’s run her whole life, she became a full-on distance runner in 2008. She’s fallen in love with the marathon and is running hills and tempos with the goals of running Boston and one day breaking her (still-standing) Mill Middle School record of 5:42 in the 1500 meters, set in 1998.
UPCOMING RACES:
California International Marathon: December 4, 2011, Sacramento, CA - withdrawn due to injury
The Relay: May 5-6, 2012, 199 miles Calistoga to Santa Cruz, CA
RECENT VOLUNTEER EVENTS:
Nike Women’s Marathon: October 16, 2011, San Francisco, CA
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot: November 24, 2011, San Jose, CA
PRs:
5K: 23:10 (7:28 min/mile pace), Fast and Furious Pleasanton 5K, August 7, 2011, Pleasanton, CA
10K: 49:25 (7:58 min/mile pace), Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, November 25, 2011, San Jose, CA
12K: 1:02:20 (8:21 min/mile pace), Bay to Breakers, May 15, 2011, San Francisco, CA
Half Marathon: 1:49:25 (8:21 min/mile pace), Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon, February 6, 2011, San Francisco, CA
Marathon: 3:56:01 (9:00 min/mile pace), Big Sur International Marathon, May 1, 2011, Carmel, CA
CYCLING
Miyoko is relatively new to cycling but enthusiastic about the promise of adventure that road biking brings. She rides a 2011 Specialized Dolce Elits with Sram Apex Compact and clipless setups and just loves it. She is a member of VeloGirls and one of these days may become a triathlete.
FIGURE SKATING
Like many Canadians, Miyoko could ice skate as soon as she could walk and learned to glide from edge to edge on the frozen ponds, lakes, and backyards of southern Ontario. She went on to compete at the elite level and as a member of the Canadian Junior National Figure Skating Team, representing Team Canada and earning podium spots at competitions across the country and around the world. She later competed as a member of the University of Toronto Figure Skating Team, earning numerous medals at the Ontario Athletics Association Figure Skating Championships. She has taught beginner through elite figure skaters and has also volunteered and coached athletes with Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped for years.