You may recognize Paige Siemers better by her maiden name: Paige Higgins. Paige, a recent newlywed to fellow top runner Chris Siemers, was happily married on August 31, 2013, and thus has a name that others will have to get used to seeing on the top of the results pages across Colorado, and the country.
The Littleton native and resident with a stacked resume recently qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials with an “A” standard at the California International Marathon. Paige’s accolades include top finishes at the Boston and Chicago Marathons, as well as local races such as the Golden Gallop and Mile High Turkey Trot (a few of her favorites). But Paige doesn’t take the hype too seriously; Paige has been through ups and downs just like the rest of us, and knows that she needs the life-work balance that most struggle to reach. Read on to find out how this top Colorado runner bumps elbows with the best of them, but knows where her support system and heart truly lie.
Quick Stats
Name: Paige Siemers
Age: 31
Hometown & Current: Littleton, CO
Professional & Educational background: Mullen High School Graduate, University of Kansas Graduate (BFA Printmaking), Fine Arts Teacher at Mullen High School (2006-2008), McMillan Elite Athlete (2008-2010). Professional Marathoner for Adidas and Saucony. 2012-2013 Assistant Cross Country Coach, Colorado School of Mines. Currently Store Manager at Runners High in Golden, CO.
Sports participated in: Cross Country, Track, Road Running
Years in current sport: 7 years for marathoning, started running at age 13 with my Dad
Racing Team: Runners High
Sponsors/Affiliations: Runners High
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
Chicago in 2007 and 2008 where I was 7th and 8th. They were both huge pr’s. Then 2010 Boston was magical when I was top American. CIM even though it wasn’t a PR in my eyes was the most exciting/fulfilling of my life. My parents were there and Chris. I didn’t think I was going to get the “A” standard through half way but my coach/brother in law Art told me to hold back til 10k to go then light it up. Somehow I found it in myself and went from 8th to 3rd. I can’t describe how wonderful it felt. I didn’t look at my watch once and I didn’t know I had the “A” standard until I looked up at the finishing clock with 50 meters to go. To be honest I was questioning whether I still mentally had the “fire” after such a long time away from the sport. It was fantastic getting back into marathoning and getting such a great result, nothing like it. You can put so much work into a marathon and it could still go badly, so when it was going well, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity. My body responded better than it ever has.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
My long term goal fortunately was met last weekend when I got the “A” standard for the Olympic Trials at CIM. I’m taking a break now but hope to run another marathon before the Trials and finally have a good showing in 2016 (I’ve qualified in 2008 but was anemic and didn’t go and then DNF’ed in 2012 with hamstring issues).
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado is home. I grew up here, most of my family is here, and it’s always where my heart has been and where I’m most happy. It’s just a bonus it happens to be at altitude :)
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
Chris and I get up around 5am most days, have our coffee time, then head out. This last cycle he ran just about every step with me :) When we get back it’s pretty much time to go to Runners High. I love my job and the store owners Ken and Deb are absolutely the best. The Golden community is absolutely wonderful and the view from the store is breathtaking. I get off work and do my second run, then get some chores done before Chris gets home. We have dinner, then dessert and the just enjoy being together as a family (with our two cats, Boston and Wrigley) and watch a show til bedtime. Right now it’s The Office on Netflix or documentaries on Alcatraz since we went there after CIM :)
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
I think not taking running too seriously and remembering I just love the sport. Looking back I was very serious and too focused on every little detail. I run the best when I’m happy and not “yelling at the grass to grow” as my brother in law Mike put it best. I am extremely focused and determined, but too much of that can start to tip into negative effects. Art always says to maintain a balance, and I have that now and have never been more happy. Chris helped push me in workouts too, I found new gears because of him!
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I don’t really have a nutrition plan. I have a pretty healthy diet, but I don’t not eat anything. I’ve had issues with anemia in the past, so we have lots of red meat. Papa Murphys has a $10 deal when the Broncos play so I can guarantee when they are on, we are eating the Cowboy pizza :) Runners High has a Skratch slushy machine, so that keeps me hydrated!
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
I recommend finding a coach you have 100% faith in, and let them do the work. Art is an amazing coach, and so whatever he says, I do. I did exactly what he had on my plan, no more, no less. I was able to hit his prescribed times, workouts, etc. so come race day I had confidence I could execute the race plan. I know Art is the best, and so my job as an athlete is to do exactly what he said, otherwise I’m not doing my part.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge is not running more. I know that sounds weird but I got way too focused on quantity and not quality for a while, and it was no ones fault but my own. I thought running more than anyone would lead to success. I do around 100 miles now, which is low compared to what I used to do, but I get on the track at least once a week and focused on quality. I think my form has improved, my speed, etc.
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
My favorite race in Colorado is the Golden Gallop and the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot. My dad and I have been doing the Turkey Trot in Wash Park since I was a freshman in High School, so it’s a sentimental favorite.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
You know Littleton is a secret that no one knows about. It’s never windy, and it has everything for active lifestyles. For flat road we go to the Platte River Trail, for dirt/road tempo there’s Clement or Washington Park, for trails there’s Deer Creek, South Valley, Chatfield Res. C-470 trail is my go to for long runs. We have track access within 5 miles of our condo. I know people joke about the “Boulder Bubble”, but I have my own little bubble here in Littleton…Chris talked about moving to Arvada once and I nearly panicked! Ha…silly I know.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Nike Lunar Racer
Favorite post-run/race beverage: Skratch
Favorite post-run/race meal: Oatmeal with salt and whip cream
Role models: My family
Day job: Manager at Runners High in Golden, CO
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? Solo, or with my husband Chris
Favorite Restaurant: Sherpa House in Golden
Favorite Coffee Shop: Dunkin Donuts
Favorite Running Store: Runners High!
Favorite non-running activity: Being with Chris…doing anything at all :)
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite book: Flags of Our Fathers
Favorite movie: Silver Linings Playbook
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
I think my breakthrough was in 2007 at Chicago. Mike did a great job of not letting me know it was record breaking heat. I didn’t realize how hot it was until mile 22 when I saw a bank posting 96 degrees. I remember thinking about mile 17 I was super tired, but then I passed another runner crawling on the ground and thought to myself “well at least I don’t feel that bad” so I kept at it. I never dreamed I’d be anywhere close to 7th place and 1st female citizen runner. It was a pretty cool day, and I realized I might have a shot at running with the elites.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
I mentioned this before but after 2010 I just could not get healthy. I was so mad and wouldn’t let up, pushing and trying to fix things that were out of my control. Then I had lunch with my brother-in-law Mike one day, He said “You see that grass, yell at it to grow… Did it grow any faster? You gotta stop yelling at the grass to grow”. It really clicked…that things take time and you can’t fight demons that don’t exist. Sitting back and enjoying life is much more important, letting things be and enjoying the process. That was huge for me.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
I guess my motto is “Try your best”. Even if you fail, at the end of the day if you look in the mirror and can say “well I gave it absolutely everything I had” then you can walk away with your head held high. If you could’ve done it better, learn from your mistake don’t let it happen again. I feel like that rings true for life and training. What more can you give then everything you’ve got. :)
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
The people who love and support me are truly the wind at my back. My victories are theirs, I absolutely could not do it without them. I did the running but they are my heart and I carry them with me every run, every day.