Aresenault set three career best times this year in the Indoor and Outdoor 5,000-m as well as the Outdoor 10,000-m. (Photo by Elizabeth Zanghi/The Ram)
The Fordham Ram: How did you choose to run at Fordham?
Anisa Arsenault: For me, Fordham had all the prestige of an Ivy without any of the scariness.
TFR: What was the biggest difference coming from a high school mentality to a college one?
AA: I was pretty well-prepared for college because my high school had such a strong team. Also, the women pretty much run the same distances during the meets. The biggest change was adding long runs to my training. It’s also been amazing to watch my team progress with me, especially my co-captain Christina Vivinetto.
TFR: In an individual sport like cross country, what role does the team play for you?
AA: I would never be able to wake up for practice every day (7:30 a.m.) without knowing that my teammates are all doing the same. We hold each other accountable. And when you’re dying during a hard interval workout, it’s so much easier with someone right there next to you.
TFR: What’s your favorite cross country memory at Fordham?
AA: I’d say our team placement at ECAC’s last year was one of my favorite memories. We got third, which was a great indicator of how far we had come and what we could continue to do. Everyone was really pumped. Now, our top five girls are just over 30 seconds apart, which is a huge improvement compared to my freshman year.
TFR: How do you train on your own? Do you run in the Botanical Gardens or on campus?
AA: I’m a big fan of campus loops, and an even bigger fan of the treadmill. Really. But I run a lot outside of Fordham’s gates and in the city. My best training comes in the form of long runs, so I’ll run down to Lincoln Center or out to City Island. Sometimes after my internship, I’ll run in Central Park. Also, I don’t mind running at night.
TFR: What are your plans after graduation?
AA: I’ll be pursuing a career in journalism. I interned at The Knot, a bridal magazine, this summer, and now I’m at Metro, a newspaper. More than anything, though, I hope to stay in New York. And keep running.
