Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

The following is the first of 7 NE/NY Mother/Daughter
vignettes that appear in the current issue of NER.

 

 

 

“Daddy’s
little girl” can ring true in many households, but add a strong running role
model into the mix and you’ve got a special mother and daughter relationship as
evidenced by the following vignettes, titled‰Û¢

 

Like
Mother, Like Daughter

 

 

Ellen
& Lizzie Predmore‰ÛÓTalent & Passion

 

Hailing from Clifton Park, New York are the dynamic
mother-daughter distance running duo of Ellen and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Predmore.
Ellen Predmore is a high school health teacher at Ballston Spa Senior High
School, while Lizzie is a senior member of the Cross-country and Track and
Field teams at Boston College.

 

Ellen started running in ninth grade when girls were
prohibited from competing in anything longer than the 880-yard run. She ran for
a short time in college, but her running career really took off when she
started road racing. After completing her first 8-mile road race, her endurance
running talent was obvious, but when a friend challenged her to run a marathon
she responded, “You want me to run what I run in one week, in one day?”

 

In 1979, Ellen ran her first of 12 marathons, the most
notable of which would be the first women’s Olympic Marathon trials in1984. Ellen
covered the 26.2 mile course in 2:40 for 35th place! Her road racing accolades
are countless, including 10 Troy Turkey Trot victories (2 in the 5K and 8 in
the 10K) where she still holds the 10k course record of 34:26 (1984). She is
also the only runner (male or female) to win the Stockade-athon 15K four years
in a row. She continues to run recreationally and frequently challenges herself
to speed work on the track.

Lizzie has inherited both her mother’s talent and passion
for distance running. “My mother has been the largest influence on my running
career,” says Lizzie. “She accomplished some pretty incredible things that I
still admire.”

 

Lizzie’s gentle demeanor mirrors her mother’s kind heart and
natural charisma. Though Lizzie’s humble character and sweet smile are genuine,
don’t let either fool you; she’s a fierce competitor. Once the gun goes off,
her competitive drive and desire to win are seldom challenged. A 12 time
All-American at Shenendehowa High School, 3000m NY state champion, and NY
regional cross country champion, Lizzie is more than deserving of her full
scholarship to Boston College.

 

Her personal records include a 4:31 for 1500m and a 9:42 for
the 3000m. At BC, Lizzie has continued to be an influential addition to the
women’s program, inspiring teammates with both her speed and positive attitude.
Her tenacious and seemingly tireless work ethic has spurred her to accomplish
amazing feats both on the track and in the classroom. Lizzie is an applied
psychology and human development major who has received academic achievement
awards for the past three years.

 

Ellen and Lizzie’s running relationship is one that
developed early. Ellen fondly remembers an 85-degree day, with three-year-old
Lizzie: “She got down in the starting position and ran laps trying to beat her
last time. I had to stop her after a mile and a half.” Throughout Lizzie’s
youth, she would bike along side Ellen who would run for miles. Over the years
they eventually switched roles and Ellen took to the bike‰ÛÓ”I couldn’t keep up
with her anymore.”  Ellen recalls a
mile race they ran together when Lizzie was in sixth grade. Lizzie passed her
with a lap to go “Like I was standing still. My favorite memory of Lizzie’s
running career was in eighth grade,” Ellen recalls. “We made a deal that if she
broke 18 minutes on a particular course and came in top three that I would get
her three pairs of Abercrombie jeans. She did it. After that I never made any
more bets; that race cost me 150 dollars!”

 

Lizzie says that it is hard for her to pinpoint a single
favorite running memory with her mother, commenting, “My overall favorite
aspect of running with my mom has definitely been being able to share our
experiences together. She has been my biggest fan for almost ten years. She
gets excited for me when I accomplish my goals.” Lizzie is continuously inspired
by her mother’s optimistic attitude. Similar to the special bond between mother
and daughter, the special bond between runners provides additional depth to
their relationship. As Lizzie so perfectly articulates, “Our mutual
understanding of both disappointment and triumph is what makes my relationship
with her so special.”

 

As a close friend and teammate of Lizzie’s for the last
three years, I have seen first hand what a positive influence her mother has
been in her life. On a typical day, it is not uncommon for Lizzie to hand me
her phone, giggling, showing me a funny text, or a picture of the Predmore cat,
Silver, that her mother has sent. Often the day before big races, Ellen and
Lizzie talk about race strategy. Ellen has inspired Lizzie to be the incredible
person and runner she is today, and in turn, Lizzie has inspired my teammates
and I on and off the track.

‰ÛÓMaggie Mullins