Elizabeth Mulford is the reigning 3A Cross Country Finals Champion and one of the top distance runners in the state. Dustin Fletcher caught up with her to talk the 2014 cross country season, her decision to sign with Liberty University, and rounding out her high school career on the track.
You signed with Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. What helped aid the decision to attend there over any other schools?
Just the team. They have a really amazing cross country and track program and that was a big part in my decision. It's also a Christian school out of state and I've always just wanted to get out of Florida, and just experience the rest of the world. I've also been riding horses since I was little and they have a really well known equestrian program there. They had all the majors I was potentially interested in, the social environment was what I wanted, it really just gave me the whole package of what I was looking for.
Why did you decide to leave the state?
I've just been here my whole life and I've always wanted to go out of state and just see the rest of the country and what there is to see, and that was a big part in the decision.
What is your favorite distance in track, and why?
I personally enjoy the 3200 meter run the most and the 4x800 is a close second. Since just running a relay is fun. I like the 3200 more though due to the toughness it requires physically and mentally. It really just attributes to the kind of person you are as a distance runner. It shows the toughness and all the hard work from all the hours you've put in running.
Do you like track or cross country more, and why?
I enjoy cross country more. I like the extra distance it provides, the variety of different courses and terrains, and just the scenery when you're running. You don't get all of that on an asphalt or rubber track.
What is your worst experience with injury?
I've had mostly minor injuries so not too many problems. However, my sophomore year at states, I was running the 3200 and on the 5th lap of the race I felt my hip pop and crack and I fell down and had to stop. I had to step into the infield and watch as everyone else finished the race and crossed the line as I was laying in the infield crying.
How have you coped with the injury and situation and recovered from it?
I've had a lot of different things to help me, a lot of physical therapy is a huge part. It has been a lot of strengthening and flexibility to work back into my hip. Also, a huge part has been mental support from coaches and friends, and just them being by my side the whole time to support me through it and to know I'm not going through it alone, and that my teammates, friends, coaches, and parents have my back.
If somebody told you before your freshman year that you would win the cross country state championship, what would your response be?
I would've probably laughed at them and said that they're crazy. I would have said it would be awesome, but I wouldn't really believe them.
As a runner, how did you get your start?
I started by joining a running club in elementary school for social purposes. I always liked running and I was always one of the faster kids and I just loved being there and doing it with my friends. I continued to run in middle school, for our track and cross country team and I played a bunch of sports, but I always liked running the most. I just fell in love with the sport the more and more I ran and competed.
As pertaining to your cross country state title this year, what were your thoughts leading up to the race, and after the race when you won?
I mean I went in knowing I had a shot at winning the title. No one really thought I would win, I was top 20 but not much higher. Going into the race, at the line I thought to myself, “I'm here and I can do this, I just have to give the opportunity everything I have." I ran the race and ended up winning and really it didn't set in and register with me for a few days. It was all kind of surreal and it was a blur. I just won states and it didn't hit me for a few days. I was just kind of neutral on it until it really set in, and I was just excited and thankful that I had done it.
What are you looking forward to most about running in college?
I want to continue to compete at a high level. I'm really excited for that. Also, just being around like minded athletes with the same goal as me, to get faster and not just to push ourselves, but to push each other to get faster for the good of the team and to benefit one another. I'm also just really happy to be competing at such a fantastic university at a Division 1 Level.
What are your plans leading up to the state meet for track?
My plans are to continue training hard, to get my legs under me as well. We will have a lot of recovery days to make sure we don't get injured and we will cut down the distance at practice to make sure no stress fractures happen. Just doing a lot of speed training to keep my wind and just continue what we have done all season.
What are your plans for the post season?
I plan to take two weeks off just to get my legs under me and just take it all in. After that and graduation, it's back to work on getting a cross country base with the Vanguard team and some other runner friends I have in different places until I leave for college in August.
With 3 weeks before your last meet in high school, what are your parting thoughts looking back on the whole experience?
It was definitely an adventure with plenty of ups and downs. All the hard work I've put in with teammates was all worth it in the end. They were all like a family to me along with some other friends. Just the whole experience prepared me for life after high school as a runner, student, and person in the real world. I enjoyed every last second of it and I just want to thank everyone who has been here for the ride.
What advice would you give to runners?
Just never give up, no matter how hard it gets. You don't have to be the number one. All of the athletes 1 through 7 matter equally, it doesn't matter if you're the slowest person on the team. The beauty of the sport is how rewarding it is. There is no substitute for hard work and when you work hard, you get to see it pay off. That is the best feeling in the world. Just never give up, in anything that you do.
Author's Note to Elizabeth: Thank you so much for giving me my first interview and article! It means a lot that you did it to help me and knowing as a close friend to me that it meant a lot and you did it to help me. Thank you for everything you've done for me and I hope to see you succeed in college as a runner, a scholar, and a person. Just know this isn't the last of your competing and that we will all be watching and hoping for your success. I wish you the best of luck as you go into college and leave the state, your achievements and time running here in high school will not be forgotten.
