NEW YORK, N.Y. -- On Sunday, more than 40,000 people from across the globe will be taking part in the New York City Marathon. This week The Daily Peekskill reporter Art Cusano profiled several Westchester runners in the days leading up to the big race. Today The Daily Cortlandt reporter Jessica Glenza turns the tables on him.
The Daily Cortlandt: When did you initially become interested in running marathons?
Art Cusano: When I was in graduate school in Boston I decided to run a marathon as a way to stay busy between classes. I didn't know anybody there and it gave me a reason to get out of my apartment and see the city in a way I wouldn't normally get to see it.
I started running competitively in middle school and ran all through high school and college. I had some great coaches during that time, who not only helped me become a better runner, but also a better person. The running was just a metaphor for everything else in life that required hard work and sacrifice. I just didn't realize it at the time.
How many marathons have you run at this point?
This is my third. I ran Philly in 2007 and The Marine Corps Marathon last year. I ran the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon the last two years as a warm up race in September. This year they had Brett Michaels perform at the finish, but I ran it anyway.
What are some of the things you've been doing to train?
After I ran my last 22 mile long run, I pulled a calf muscle so I've been spending hours at the gym on the stationary bike these last few weeks. Luckily my gym has ESPN.
A lot of people say that they can't run a marathon but almost anybody can do it. It's simply a matter of finding the time to train and sticking with the program. It's just like any other sport. Mark Sanchez and Eli Manning didn't just wake up one day knowing how to be NFL quarterbacks. They trained for years to get good at it. Running is no different in that manner, but the great thing about running is anybody can compete against themselves no matter how old they are or what kind of body they have.
How do you think squeezing training into a busy work life changes you?
It's the hardest part of training for a marathon. It's not surprising that many serious runners are doctors or lawyers or people like that who have flexibility in the work schedule or can work from home. I interviewed runners this week who not only have full time jobs but have young children to care for. I'm much more impressed by those people than professional runners. Those guys just happen to have good genes.
Have you ever run the NY Marathon?
No, but I've wanted to do it my whole life. It's one of those things that every runner thinks about. Running with people from around the world and through the greatest city has to be a great experience.
Did you get into the NY Marathon via lottery, or did you wait for a slot for a few years?
I got in automatically after getting rejected three times in a row. If I choose to run it again next time I might run for a charity. I heard about some great ones this week that Westchester residents are raising money for.
What's your biggest concern for this Sunday's race?
Hopefully my calf will hold up and I won't have to drop out of the race. I 'm going to buy a finisher jacket at the expo but I won't put it on because I don't want to jinx myself!
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