History buffs might recall the old phrase “One if by land, two if by sea,” from the famous Longfellow poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.”
The alert – one lantern or two lanterns mounted in Old North Church – was meant to signal which way British troops might be coming to attack American patriots in a planned confrontation near Boston.
Well, as we now know some 250 years or so later, that battle – which saw the British arrive by way of the Charles River — went the Colonials’ way and so did a few others. Thus, the United States of America.
Back here today in Bucks County, the saying could apply to one of the fastest female athletes in the area.
When the competition shows up on land in the form of running, she usually wins that with her incredible talent.
And if challengers decide to go the water route, she will most likely defeat them by way of rowing, too. Starting in her college days, she became a national class rower at the University of Virginia.
We’re referring to Elizabeth “Liz” Bryan, a fairly new member of the Bucks County Roadrunners Club, who lit up the distaff field this past season in the recently completed Winter Series.
How illuminated, you say?
At the age of 40, she ran 5,000 meters in under 20 minutes over the challenging trails of hilly Tyler State Park.
In the Polar Bear eight-miler, she not only outran all the women but finished third OVERALL.
Her time, 55:18, averaged out to a 6:54 per mile pace. Only male runners Blake Connor’s 53:08 and Robert Stianchi’s 54:29 were quicker.
In the Terrible Tyler 15K (9.3 miles) Bryan placed fifth overall in 1:03.26, which averages 6:48 per mile, even quicker than the Polar Bear.
How is this possible?
“I just love running,” she said in a recent telephone interview. “It’s one of the best parts of my life. It brings me personal joy. And it connects me as a runner to so many other people.”
Bryan manages to stay at the top of her game despite a daily challenge from diabetes.
“Running keeps me physically and mentally well,” she explained. “It’s been a major part of controlling my Type I diabetes. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
Bryan became a runner way back in her early youth.
“I started track at 11 years old after being told by my ballet instructor that I would never move up if I didn’t lose weight,” she said. “I continued running through middle and high school and ended up rowing at the University of Virginia.
“After college I competed in rowing and running (Bryn Mawr Running Club). I did that through graduate school at Villanova where I earned my degree as a family nurse practitioner.”
Sports had to take a break during her early 30s as she had three children.
Now she’s back and defying the calendar and the clock, both in running and rowing.
“I row when I can (she’s vice president of the Undine Rowing Club in Philadelphia, the first woman in a leadership role in the club’s history),” she said.
“A huge component of my training is regular sessions with my diabetes educator. He has been working with me since my diagnosis in 1998. I would not be in peak health without him.”
This athletic environment is a healthy way to raise a family.
“My husband, Ned, is my number one supporter and understands how running is a keystone in my life,” Bryan said. “My kids — Virginia (8), George (6), Jack (5) – know this too. My parents have supported me from day 1 and still do even though I’m 40. I’ve been so fortunate to have coaches and mentors who have fostered a deep love of the sport in me.”
There are no signs of slowing down. This past September she ran a 19:00 in Philadelphia’s Labor Day 5K, not far off her PR of 18:36.
She swore she would never run a 26.2-mile marathon and now she has qualified herself for Boston.
The rowing continues at an elite level as well. She’s the proud recordholder of the women’s lightweight four event from the Head of the Charles Regatta (2009), which still stands to this day.
It’s a pretty good bet she will be back for the next Winter Series when it resumes in December.
“The Winter Series delivers in challenge and company,” she said“. The agonizing ascents are matched by the thrill of flying down those monster hills.”
If there’s a church nearby Tyler or a local river, someone please be sure to hang three lanterns in the belltower. Bryan can handle the challengers either wa
>Race calender
Saturday
NHRC Run-Walk for Zebra, 9 a.m., New Hope. Contact www.runsignup.com
Sunday
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup 4-Miler, 10 a.m., Churchville. Contact www.runsignup.com
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