Getting Busy

Returning from spring break marks the point in the semester when my schedule becomes more demanding. Balancing responsibilities will be a challenge in the coming weeks. Spring football practice begins in two weeks and will take place every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening, along with Saturday morning sessions that last about two hours. This schedule comes in addition to morning lifts. This past Monday marked nine consecutive weeks of lifting, along with ongoing participation in the Trust Cup. As a result, my schedule is becoming increasingly busy.

As spring practice approaches, our lifting sessions have been focused on preparing us to perform at a high level. Spring football at the NCAA Division III level operates under specific limitations. Teams are allowed 16 total practices during the spring season. Of those, only four can be full-contact practices, meaning players are permitted to wear shoulder pads and engage in physical contact. The remaining 12 practices are limited to helmets only, with no contact allowed. These rules restrict the amount of physical preparation teams can complete together.

In a previous blog, I mentioned the Trust Cup, a team-based competition designed to add intensity and accountability to our morning lifts. My team, Team Orange, is currently in second place, trailing Team Black by more than 50 points. While there is still work to be done, we have opportunities to close the gap as the semester continues. Last Thursday, we won our first team competition, a relay race, which provided momentum heading into the second half of the semester.

With football, academics and work responsibilities all increasing, maintaining balance will be important. Fortunately, having gone through similar routines over the past two years has helped me develop time-management skills. That experience will be important as I prepare for the demanding weeks ahead.