Sometimes the hardest part of training is finding enough hours in the day.
My schedule can get very packed, especially when training and school are both demanding.
On some training days, I need to finish training early in the morning. That means waking up very early, getting ready and starting my workout while most of the day is still ahead. Depending on the training plan, the morning can include cycling, gym work or other exercises.
Then it is time to get ready for school.
Managing both means there isn't much free time left. Meeting friends, going out or doing things spontaneously can be difficult because I also need time for studying, training and recovery.
Sometimes I do miss having more time with my friends. But competitive cycling is something I have chosen to pursue, and I know that reaching my goals requires giving up some things along the way.
I don't manage it alone
One thing that makes a big difference is the support I get with my studies.
My teachers understand the demands of training and competition and help me keep up academically. When I miss classes or need additional help, they have been willing to give me extra classes so that I can catch up with the rest of the class.
At home, my mother plays a big part in helping me manage my studies and making sure academics don't get pushed aside because of cycling.
That support becomes especially important around competitions, when travel and racing can take me away from the normal school routine.
I am still learning how to balance everything. There are days when cycling needs more of my time and others when school has to come first.
For me, being a student-athlete is not about finding a perfect balance every day. It is about learning to manage both without giving up on either.
