The Collegian

Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Down the Hill

A red glowing 6:00 cuts through the darkness, as the obnoxious buzz of my alarm clock pierces my ear drums. I could've sworn I just went to bed. Tiredness locks me to my warm cocoon and I can't seem to pry my head off the pillow.

The world outside of my comforter is cold and hard, but sleep is no longer an option. If I don't get up I'll hate myself all day. I can't fold. I turn off the alarm and slide off my futon.

Slipping on a long-sleeved Under Armour shirt for added warmth, I grab my gloves and helmet and descend the stairs towards two eggs waiting for me in the kitchen. No time to cook them; I gobble them down raw.

The zinging of cold rubber rolling on pavement is the only sound I hear as darkness begins to peal away. As I churn the pedals, the chill morning air hits my cheeks, lungs and knuckles. The haze wears off and a feeling of rejuvenation takes over. The rest of the world is still fast asleep; it's just me and my road bike.

I don't really plan routes, instead time and exertion are my concerns. The morning haze inspires me to head down M99 South to check out what the fairground premises looks like before dawn.

Downtown Hillsdale is extremely peaceful just after 6:30 in the morning.

The sidewalks are abandoned, the shops are dark and still and a row of streetlights dimly illuminates the recently finished asphalt. The only sound is the swift turn of my pedals and the wind blowing past my ears.

As I approach the fairgrounds, I see an opening in the fence and shoot through it. I am not sure if unexpected visitors are allowed before the carnies awake, but I'll take my chances. I figure the worst thing that could happen is some angry carney ramming his size 12 Caterpillar boots up my…But I'm on a bike, so I'm not too worried. As I circle the barns and shutdown vendors, the morning starts to come alive, first with a shed full of roosters rattling caws and cock-a-doodles. A lady in tall rubber boots is spraying off her heifer with a hose; she doesn't seem to notice me.

I pick up some speed and head down the empty midway. All the stands are up but there are no carnies in sight. The deserted rides creek in the wind and I'm feeling a little uncomfortable.

Swerving in and out of a few parked trucks I head past the grandstand and continue largely unnoticed around the rest of the fairgrounds.

Cruising back toward campus, my heart works hard as I pedal up the hills and dales.

With hectic student schedules at Hillsdale, it can be difficult to find time to do a substantial workout, so it becomes necessary to improvise. Getting up early for a cardiovascular workout is a great way to get your heart pumping and jump-start your day with a little extra energy.

Running or biking Hillsdale's empty streets can also be a nice moment of zen, where the stillness of the world allows your mind to wander around some backburner topics that don't get much play during the week.

There is hardly any traffic or sound, making mornings the perfect meditation time to release stress and prepare for the upcoming day. The college pool is also open most mornings, if the weather is unfriendly.

As I pull back into the drive, the sun has almost risen and traffic is picking up. I pop off my helmet and wipe the sweat off my forehead. In a rare moment, I feel something I hadn't really anticipated: excitement for class at 7:30 a.m.

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