Cross Country Q&A: Caroline Archer

Caroline Archer is a sophomore on the Pepperdine cross country team. As one of the top runners on the team, we asked her how she has trained to reach this point in her career, the goals she has for this season and how she balances academics and running:

Q: As a Tennessee native, why did you choose to come to Pepperdine?

A: It's funny; I was a little reluctant to look at Pepperdine, and I don't know why. I got to visit campus, and I felt a peace about being here. I attribute my decision to feeling led by God. The community and everything Pepperdine offers have been so amazing, and more of a blessing than I expected.

Q: How has being on the cross country and track teams made an impact on your college experience?

A: It's provided some of my most fulfilling friendships here at Pepperdine. It also gives me something else to do and look forward to. Getting to travel is also really cool and an opportunity I didn't really think about when I decided to join the team. I've gotten to see different parts of the West Coast that otherwise I wouldn't have made it out to. We got to race in Seattle during regionals, and I just love the state of Washington.

Q: Being a student athlete is a huge commitment and honor. How do you balance school and running?

A: It is difficult sometimes with fatigue, but I have to make myself be present and commit to what I'm doing in the moment. If I'm at practice, then I'm not thinking about the test I have coming up. I'm thinking about doing my workout well, but when I'm studying, I try to be as whole-hearted as I can with that. It's really just about being intentional with your time.

Q: We heard you were part of The Graphic. What is your role and what does it entail?

A: This semester, I'm the assistant editor of the Perspectives section of The Graphic, which is so cool. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I love the people I get to work with. I write an article every week, and I help with the layout on deadline nights as the paper goes to print.

Q: What is your favorite part of your sport? What motivates you to get up and run countless miles?

A: I'd say there's a couple things that play into it. The team and community are huge factors. My teammates and coaches are so special; they're the only people who can make 6:30 a.m. practice joyful or worthwhile. There's also a satisfying and purposeful feeling that comes with training, getting to compete and seeing the payoff.

Q: What are some goals you have for the team this season?

A: We really want to run close together and stay in a tight-knit group. The team is also really looking toward conference. We want to score well as a team.

Q: You are among the team's top runners this year. How have you trained to reach this point in your running career?

A: Over the summer I had to do a lot of cross training since I had plantar fasciitis. Luckily, I've been a lot healthier this fall. My coaches have been really understanding and responsive to how I'm feeling physically, so it's really allowed me to hold it together and improve my fitness. The workouts we've been doing have been really effective. We've been seeing results. Interval training has helped us stay consistent over a certain distance. They get harder as it goes on, like in a race, so it definitely preparing us.

Q: Summer training is important. What was your experience running over the summer?

A: We were all at home for most of the summer. We got in touch through group messages and held each other accountable to the workouts we were sent. The team came together two weeks before classes started and we went to Mammoth as a team. That trip was awesome; it built a lot of excitement for the season. We were in a separate place together and altitude was pretty tough training, so it forged bonds really quickly. It's one of my favorite memories of my life.

Q: Do you see yourself continuing to run after graduation?

A: I don't foresee a career, because I don't think I'm quite at that level right now. I will definitely continue to run for as long as I can. Coaching would be cool because I'd get to pour back into the community that's given so much to me.

Players Mentioned

Caroline Archer

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