All marathoners have their first marathon story. As they continue on their marathon career, details of different races may fuse together creating a single, muddled memory, but the first marathon – each and every stride of the grueling 26.2 miles – lives in their mind forever. Liz Foster, a former member of the cross country and track and field squads at the University of Hartford and current assistant coach for the Hawks, certainly has an unforgettable story to tell about her introduction to the world of marathon running.
No amount of strenuous training could prepare Foster for what she was about to face in her first marathon. Running 26.2 miles while battling temperatures in the low 40's, pouring rain and blustering winds of over 25 miles-per-hour is not what any runner has in mind as ideal weather conditions for a marathon.
A total of 476 runners completed the full marathon, while there were 1,583 finishers in the half marathon. Several marathoners threw in the towel at the mid-way point and called it a day due to the weather. Despite the most unimaginable conditions, Foster battled. In her first marathon, the Ellington, CT native was the first woman – and the seventh overall runner – to cross the finish line at the Amica Rhode Island Marathon held on Sunday, October 18 in Newport, RI. The rookie clocked-in at an impressive time of 3:03.47.
As a four-year cross country competitor and member of the track and field teams during her undergraduate career at Hartford, Foster has become acclimated to running long distances. While juggling a challenging course load in her physical therapy major, the 22-year old was running between 40-45 miles a week in preparation for a cross country meet, which is typically a 5k (3.1 mile) course. Foster's longest training distance while in competition was 12 miles.
After reuniting with a program and Head Coach Kathy Manizza as the Assistant Coach of the Hawks' cross country program in August, Foster made the decision to run her first full marathon. While juggling courses towards her doctorate in physical therapy, coaching and a part-time job, she managed to scrounge time for training and almost double her weekly mileage. During her two months of training, every run counted and Foster pushed herself to the limit. Even her long runs, the longest of which was 22 miles, were done at a controversial faster pace than recommended, which proved to only be more beneficial for Foster on race day.
In the final season of her cross country career at Hartford, Foster led the Hawks at the 2008 America East Championship with a 14th place finish in a field of 76. She finished the 5,000-meter course in a time of 18:15.0, setting a personal record for the distance.
On the track, Foster led the Hawks at the 2009 America East Outdoor Track and Field Championships, capturing the title in the 5,000-meter run and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. At the outdoor conference championships, she took first overall in the 5,000-meter event and ran an NCAA-qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. She went on to place third in the event at the New England Championship, earning All-New England honors, and competed at the 2008 NCAA Regional Championships.
Most individuals find that running marathons is like eating a bag of chips – it's nearly impossible to stop after just one. Foster, amongst other avid runners, was quick to catch on to this “addiction.”
Foster's time in the Amica Rhode Island Marathon qualified her to compete in the Boston Marathon – the world's oldest annual marathon – a decision that she did not think twice about making. Foster will lace up her running shoes on April 19, 2010 in hopes of running an Olympic trial qualifying time of 2:46.00.
“I'm very proud of Liz and of all the athletes who continue to enjoy running and competition long after their collegiate days are over,” commented Head Coach Kathy Manizza. “One of my goals as head coach is to instill a lifelong love of athletics and living an active, healthy lifestyle.”
Coach Manizza has also continued to fuel her addiction. Entering her 10thyear as the Hawks' head coach and 16th year of coaching at the collegiate level, she has ran a total of seven marathons, including the prestigious Boston Marathon, and most recently participated in the Amica Rhode Island Half Marathon where she placed third overall in the Master's division with a time of 1:45.50.
For complete results from the Amica Rhode Island Marathon, click here.
