SUFFOLK, N.Y.–How do you spend a week away from work? Eva Casale, a vice president with Suffolk FCU here, is preparing to run seven marathons in seven days to raise funds and awareness for Hope for Warriors.
In total, Casale, who is VP of information technology, will run 184 miles in races running from April 22-28 in the New York towns of Northport, West Babylon, Shelter Island, Southampton, Riverhead, Sayville and Medford.
How does one prepare to run seven marathons in just seven days? Casale offered her insights on preparing for the task with CUToday.info:
CUToday.info: How did you get involved in and then become so passionate about running?
Casale: I started running when I was in high school. My dad wanted me to go out in the evenings with him to run. He was trying to lose weight. I played sports, but I wasn’t a runner. He wanted me to run with him during the summer evenings after 9pm so no one would see him. He ended up running for a few months. I just kept doing more and more loops in the neighborhood and then I kept branching out further and further until I was running 90 to 120 minutes each night. From that point on I continued to run. I went to college in Manhattan, so I ran in Central Park. I ran my first marathon, NYC Marathon, when I was 18.
CUToday.info: How many marathons have you run, and have you done anything similar to this?
Casale: I’ve run 56 full marathons and 41 ultramarathons. I have also just committed to coaching the “Hope for the Warriors NYC Marathon Team” beginning this summer.
CUToday.info: How do you train for 7 marathons, and what are your concerns, especially physically?
Casale: I run up to 80 miles a week. On the weekends, I run 20 miles each day. I do a lot of hill training for endurance. I just try to stay focused and enjoy the run. I don’t have any major concerns. I just try to make the time to get it done. Physically, I tried to do the best I can to recover, refuel, and repeat. When needed, I will take an extra rest day.
CUToday.info: Can you tell us more about these 7 consecutive events?
Casale: I will run a total of 184 miles from April 22 to April 28 through various towns on Long Island and will start or finish each marathon centered around honoring local servicemen killed in action and linked to communities they called home. This year’s marathons will take place in Northport, West Babylon, Shelter Island, Southampton, Riverhead, Sayville and Medford. The event is sponsored by Suffolk Federal to raise donations and awareness for Hope for the Warriors. The sole purpose of Hope for the Warriors is to help our veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe, so they can succeed here at home. The programs they offer for post-9/11 active duty and reserve service members, veterans, military caregivers and families of the fallen, are making a tangible difference in people’s lives. It’s an honor for me to organize and run this event and to know that I can bring even more people together to take part in such an important mission.
Each day is a full 26.2-mile marathon. It is a seven-day 184-mile running tour to honor our Troops, our Veterans, and our Fallen Heroes in Suffolk County, NY. Each day there will be stops at such places as Memorials, National Cemeteries, Home of the Fallen, Resting places of our Fallen Heroes, monuments, bridges, schools, etc., all dedicated to Long Island Fallen Heroes. Flowers will be placed at this locations and dedications. The running community is encouraged to come out and join in for the last seven miles for suggested donation of $50. Each day is designed around our Mission to honor a particular fallen hero or group of fallen heroes in that marathon area.
CUToday.info: Information Technology can be pretty demanding, with issues at all-hours? How do you balance that with the time running requires?
Casale: I get up at 4:30am and I’m out the door running by 5 a.m. I’ve always believed that it is important to do at least one thing for yourself each day. By getting in my training in the early morning, I can accomplish this task. With IT, it can be demanding. I can’t count on getting a run in at a particular time in the evening. If I stay at work for 10-12 hours a particular day, I feel good that I got my run in that morning. Working late or long days are just something that needs to be done in this field.
CUToday.info: How did you come to be involved with Veterans-related groups, and what does Team E.V.A do?
Casale: Team E.V.A. – stands for Every Veteran Appreciated. I started running with some local veteran running groups over the past few years. This involvement has introduced me to many Gold Star Families. As an ultrarunner, my passion is running and I’m honored to be able to use this gift to help others. I feel that running in honor of our Troops, our Veterans, and our Fallen Heroes is my way of saying ‘Thank YOU’ for your service to our great Country. I’m just a woman with a pair of running shoes. trying to make a difference and it’s an honor for me to organize and run this event and to know that I can bring even more people together to take part in such an important mission.
I am also inviting the community to join me for the marathon days. You are not required to participate in all seven marathons. For a $50 donation, you can pick a day to join me for the last seven miles or you can simply support what we are doing by donating to the effort. And we are also inviting all communities to proudly display their American Flags during the “Every Veteran Appreciated Week” (4/22-4/28). For more information visit www.GoTeamEva.org.