"10 Questions With…"Jon Harper
Jon Harper is having one of those breakout kind of seasons. Having established some track cred last outdoor season with PRs of 4:18.27 and 9:12.44, Harper roared into the 2011 Cross Country season with wins at the season opening Randolph Invitational and at the NJCTC Stewart Memorial Invite. After a second place finish in the "B" Race at Shore Coaches with an excellent 15:54 mark, Jon returned to the winners circle with a win in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championshios this week, running 15:17 for the 3 mile layout at the Sussex Co. Fairgrounds. NJRunners got Jon to slow down long enough to respond to our "10 Questions"
Jon Harper (L) in fast company at the Shore Coacxhes Invitational
Photo by: MaroonNews
NJR - Did you change / add anything to your summer training this year?
JH - Yes, this year I focused on quality over quantity. Last fall I ran for 4 months straight and I ended up over training. Now I do less miles but at a better pace because I’m more rested and able to train better. So, the one thing I fixed was the mileage I was doing, and I take every Sunday fully off to just relax.
NJR - Are you more of a speed or more of a strength runner?
JH - I would have to say strength but I do have some decent speed. I love when I have to fill in for a sprinter in the 4x4 in track.
NJR - What did your summer training consist of?
JH - This summer I slowly built up to about 65 miles a week. The summer consisted of basic runs and my summer training was capped off by a great week of training at the Running Works camp.
NJR - Do you have a pre-race superstition or routine?
JH - Yes, I always wear my neon yellow or blue Phillipsburg shirt. I also have a motivational card I read before all my races because the first time I used it was the first time I broke 9:20 in the 3200m. Now I never leave for a race without it.
NJR - Track or XC?
JH - I’m going to have to say track because I love watching other events. I love how track has an event for almost any athletic talent.
Harper started the 2011 campaign with a win "under the lights" at the Randolph Invitational
Photo by: Dave Folsom
NJR - What are your personal goals for the season?
JH - My personal goals for the season include trying to win as many titles as I can by the end. I would love to get down around 15:35 at Holmdel and be in the mix for a shot at a state and MOC title. I also plan on running at the Footlocker NE Qualifier and to be top 10 would be awesome.
NJR - What is your favorite subject in school?
JH - My favorite subject in school is math because I love that there is no grey area.
NJR - When not running, what do you like to do?
JH - I like to hang out with friends and play sports because I’m an extremely competitive person.
NJR - Who is the person you would most like to meet and why?
JH - I would love to meet Robby Andrews. It’s awesome that he is from NJ and he is dominating in the NCAA. I love watching his races where he comes out of no where with 150m to go to win. But what I admire most is that despite being a great runner, he is very classy. I remember when he gave up the number one seed back in high school to Jason Walton who had passed away.
NJR - Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JH - In 10 years I hope to have a good job and starting to settle down maybe? (haha) I’m not really sure.
Thank you Jon