Lizz Bennett
Lizz is 33 (and proud of it). She is a wife of one amazing man and mother to four absolutely awesome kids ages 12, 9, 7, and 5. Lizz is a USAT Level 1 Certified Coach, Owner and Creator of GPP Endurance and Triathlon Training Camps. Co-Owner of GPP Fitness. Fitness Expert. Her hometown is Kaysville, UT.
Here are a few facts about Lizz when we asked her about running:
Years running: 22
Favorite race distance or race: My favorite races are the races that my kids and I run together. We always do the Strider's Memorial Day 5k together.
PR's - (5K, 10K, ½, mara, Ultra) or proudest running accomplishment: Completing the inaugural Ironman St. George in 2010. 1st place at Ragnar Vegas for Ultra Women's Team 2010, and Qualified for Age Group National Championships (triathlon) 2011.
Favorite training run: Favorite training runs are the runs that are void of any ipods, gps, and heart rate monitors.
Why run - (motivation, inspiration): I run because it hurts, because it intimidates, because it's hard, and it tries to beat me into submission. I run because it challenges my ability to handle physical pain and improves my capability to handle emotional pain.
Goals: Epic Relay with the Ultra Women's Team August 2011, Ironman Arizona November 20, 2011. Squaw Peak 2012
Favorite running gear - (shoes, apparel, etc.): Love my Pearl Izumi Iso Transitions
Best advice you've been given as a runner: "Run like you love it"
Best motivational quote: "I am a courageous fighter who is all heart; I have the drive and discipline to master anything I desire no matter how long it takes. I am sturdy and steady which gives me power and control. I am a force to be reckoned with"
Favorite food: Recently had to learn how to eat and train having Celiac Disease. My favorite pre-race and pre-long ride meal is crockpot overnight oatmeal. Made with Irish steal cut oats, soy milk, vanilla protein powder, and cinnamon it slowly cooks in a water bath in the crockpot and is ready to eat when I wake up. I top it with fresh fruit. It's so yummy!
Hobbies or interests other than running: My other passion is coaching and organizing training camps and clinics. Each winter GPP Endurance puts on Several Winter Triathlon Training Camps where triathletes from all over the country come and train for four days. This year we will hold the St. George Camp, the Henderson Camp, and now we have added the Tucson Training Camp in February. There is no other experience like it; we had so much fun together last winter that we are all re-uniting and racing the RedRock Relay together in September. www.gppfit.com
Anything else the world might want to know about you: I believe in balance. I would rather be an elite wife and mother than an elite athlete. So if I need to drop a training session once in a while to snuggle and have movie night, I have no problem with that. When I finished my Ironman I felt like my husband and kids deserved finisher medals too.
