High Point University distance runner Jesse Cherry will check in throughout the Panthers' 2010 outdoor track & field season. Cherry, a senior, owns HPU records in the indoor 5,000-meter and outdoor 10,000-meter and he will be looking to qualify for the NCAA Championship in the 10,000-meter this spring. You can write in to our bloggers, or give us comments about the blogs in general through our Blog Comment Form.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
A runner's perspective on summer heat
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It's starting to get hot, and by hot, I mean my brain is frying like an egg hot. The pools on campus have been filled with swimsuits and board shorts. Everyone is loving the summer sun, everyone…except for the runners.
When summer rolls around, you might not find the same happy grin on a runner's face that you do on everyone else's. Yes, we like the sun – we aren't vampires, though my pale skin may say otherwise, but down in the south, it gets too hot. This last week spent in the 90's has reminded me and my teammates that hot weather can stink.
When it comes to planning our runs, we only have three choices:
1. Wake up early, which is against almost any college kid's religion.
2. Run at night, but how else would we be able to socialize?
3. Bare the heat. Running for over an hour in 90+ is one of the worst feelings in the world.
I write this not to spread the awareness of global warming, but maybe to gain a bit of understanding. You could say that we choose our own fate when we decided to become runners, but I would hope we deserve a bit of sympathy. We are not a crazy as you might think. If you see us running while you are heading to your morning class, it isn't because we love waking up before sunrise, it's because it's our only option.
Next time you find yourself on a cool spring day praying for an earlier summer, maybe you could just ask for a mild one. On behalf of the HPU track team, at least the distance runners, it would be much appreciated.
Post No. 2 by Jesse Cherry on Friday, April 9, 2010.
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Friday, March 12, 2010
From Alaska to five years in North Carolina
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When I tell people I was born in Alaska, I think most picture blizzards, sub zero temperatures, and polar bears breaking into the igloos that house the residents. In reality, it is and was quite the opposite on the day I was born. It was a beautiful 71 degrees on June 28, 1986, and yes, the sun did set that day. I was born and raised Anchorage Alaska. I grew up with electricity, malls, movie theaters, and plenty of Walmarts. Yes our winters are cold, but we do manage.
When I flew the 4,000 miles to North Carolina, I wasn't in culture shock. Alaska is surprisingly a lot like the South but without the southern drawl. Yes, the heat destroyed me for the first month or so, but I did survive. Until my freshmen year, I was unaware that it was possible to sweat so much.
My first run in High Point started at 3:30 in the afternoon, which was a big mistake. My shorts were soaked, my shirt had been abandon several miles behind me, and my shoes sloshed around like I had been jumping in puddles. Luckily, we only arrive for school at the tail end of the summer. Unlike the hot months of June through August, the winters here are quite nice. Yes, yes, I know this "winter" was terribly frigid for the natives of this state, but any time it's not so cold that I have to wear wind briefs and a balaclava when I go running, I thank the stars.
Regardless of my reasons for coming to High Point, I've been here for five years--that's one more year than needed to graduate. I'd have to say I've enjoyed my time here and it will be odd not coming back when fall rolls around, but the poor economy and the dwindling job market is calling me.
After five years in North Carolina, I still talk like a northerner, I like oatmeal way better than grits, and I haven't warmed up to country music, but I do hold a special place in my heart for the South.
Post No. 1 by Jesse Cherry on Friday, March 12, 2010.
