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Lesley Higgins

Currently running in:

Switch 2

T6 Racer

Trance Short

Z3 Distance

Where do you live?: New York City

Day job: Compliance Director for Paterson for Governor 2010

When did you become a Brooks I.D. Member?: early 2008

Date of birth: June 10, 1980

High School: Arapahoe High School, Littleton, CO

College: University of Colorado, Boulder

Personal Record(s): Mile indoor: 4:42.36
3000m steeplechase: 9:58.63
5000m: 16:39.98
5k road: 16:51.7
4mi road: 21:54
1/2 marathon: 1:19:30

Events Currently Training For: 3000m steeplechase at the USA T&F championships at the end of June

Miles run/week: 45-85

Favorite Brooks shoes and apparel?: Switch 2, T6 racer, Z3 distance spike (Z2 for the steeple); Trance Short, EZ T, Dash Tank, and the Epiphany and Viva Jackets!

Why do you run?: I RUN because I can't imagine not being physically active on a daily basis. For me, going to the track is like recess. But I TRAIN because I don't want to leave this sport with any regrets. I want to be old and tired and know that I didn't waste the talent that I have been blessed with.

Who inspires you?: Women who get things done with grace and tact. Mary Wittenberg (CEO of New York Road Runners) and Tina Fey come to mind.

The best thing about being an I.D. Member (besides the discount): Last year at the Olympic Trials I loved having the Brooks house available for me to wander over to when was antsy, bored or feeling secluded in my single dorm. It's so nice going to major races and having an additional support system and familiar faces.

When did you start running?: I suppose I started running when I was in elementary school and my dad was my softball coach and he would make me run laps when I was getting on his nerves. I ran A LOT of laps. I started racing in 8th grade when I bet my gym teacher that I could break her lifetime PR in the mile.

What challenges do you face as a runner?: My biggest challenge is not balancing my work hours with my running, but managing my stress levels. I have come to discover that if I allow work stress to increase my cortisol levels, my body acts as if I am over-training. The intensity of my workouts decline along with my ability to recover. So I have to approach work with a very laid-back attitude, which actually makes me more productive and pleasant to be around anyway.

What do you like to do when you're not running?: I try to consume as many books as I can as fast as possible. And when I am trying to really relax, I like to break out Guitar Hero.

Favorite type of event: Anything novelty. The Steeplechase being the obvious one, but also road miles or races like the Easy Does It Relay put on by Millrose Track Club that my NYAC team ran last week: a 10k relay with legs of 4k-3k-2k-1k.

Favorite race: NYRR's Fifth Avenue Mile

Favorite run: Rockefeller Park just outside the city

Favorite pre- and post-race foods: Either a Luna Bar or wheat toast with olive oil before. Endurox or a big breakfast with eggs after.

Anything else you’d like to add: New York City sometimes gets a bad rap as a running location. However, I have three easily accessible tracks, miles of trails less than 90 seconds from my front door and the beautiful Rockefeller park an easy 30min drive away. Combine that with the New York Athletic Club's great facilities just a 5 minute jog through the park from my apartment, and all the great doctors within a mile, and I can't imagine a much better place to live and train.