Athlete Bio: Lizzy Colanto

Name: Lizzy Colanto

Age: 29

Location: West of Boston, MA, near the start of the Boston Marathon!

Website: http://foodtorunfor.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @FoodtoRunFor

Years Running: Too many to count, 21 years I think.

Half: 1:50:43
10 Mile: 1:24:24
10K: 51:44
5K: 23:36

Favorite Race Distance: hmmm probably the half or the 10K but currently like the 5K since its only 3.1!

How Many Marathons Have You Completed: 3 – Providence, New York and Boston. New York is the most amazing marathon in the world!

Favorite Pre-Race Food: I eat lobster ravioli from a local place the night before a race, signature dish!

Favorite Post-Race Food: I don’t have a specific food I eat post race!

How did you get into running: I’ve been running since I was 8, I used to compete in track meets during the summer in my town. But I got serious about running because of my brother. He was a senior standout on the track team when I was a freshman so he encouraged me to run. I started off running the 55 meters, 100 and 200. By senior year, I specialized in the 400, 800, 4X100 and 4X400 relays. My relay team went to Nationals! I ran track in college for a few years before getting burnt out. I took about 3 years off and then got serious about running, doing 5 half marathons and 3 marathons in two years.

How do you find/make time to train: This is a great question. I am currently gone from the house everyday for 11.5 hours. So I only train 3-4 days a week. I prefer to run before work but sometimes I sneak out during lunch and very rarely I run after work. But I prefer running around 7am.

Do you like running alone or with friends: I love love love running with friends. Generally if I don’t have someone to do my long runs with, I use the treadmill. I’m one of the rare people who likes the treadmill but obviously there is nothing better than running outdoors with your running buddies.

Favorite Quote: “Someday I will not be able to do this. Today is not that day.”

Fun fact about yourself: I think the number 9 alludes me. I want to break 1:50 and run 1:49. Break 50 and run 49. Run 3:59 someday in the marathon. In high school I came so close to breaking 60 in the 400 but never did. So someday, the number 9 and I will be friends and I will run the times I know I am capable of!