Active tri-athletes/Marathoners in Med School?

Hi Everyone!

Incoming 2012 med student here! Although not a lifelong athlete, during my current year off I seriously took up running, and ran my first marathon last December (4.38)! Very thrilling! I love running now and fitness, and I am excited about making this a lifelong habit. I recently started on biking and swimming, and hope to do a triathlon of some length this year, and continue doing marathons/tri's at least once a year.

I'm excited about starting med school in the fall, and I'm curious if there are marathoners/tri-athletes out there able to do their studies well but also find time to get out and put in the training miles, or bike rides? What are your experiences? Have you been able to mix school and race training successfully? I know third year is hell, but otherwise is this a passion you or others have been able to keep up?

I think it will be a great way for me to relieve stress, and have something outside of class that motivates me. I'm not a big T.V person, and I can see training being my main out-of-class activity. It's also great way to stay in shape and look great!

I'll be going to school in SF almost likely, which has a great outdoors culture, good weather, and numerous marathon/triathlon clubs with organized group workouts to make life easier.

Any experiences/input from ya'all already in med school? Thank You!

This is awesome news, very encouraging! Thank you all for your responses and input.

Luxian, about cost, I figure if one cuts back on other expenses, like eat out less etc and put the luxury money instead to your races, you can make it. Also, I find that most school's the student budget is a slight bit higher than necessary if you are able to get cheaper rent etc, that's a way to save $100/$200 a month.

I haven't seen any marathon/tri club at my soon to be school yet, I can always start one! Also, organizing a local race with classmates would be awesome.

goodluck goose on your tri

IronMed10 said:

Definitely possible, you just have to budget your time. Find creative ways to get your workouts in (bike to school, take the stairs, etc). Roger Bannister broke the 4' mile as a medical student, so it shouldn't be a problem if you're really into it. Useful links:

http://www3.georgetown.edu/som/student/ironmed2007/ironmed.html

http://www.alexmmtri.com/

http://ironmed.sweat365.com/

Also, both IM Wisconsin and USAT Collegiate Nationals have divisions for collegiate and/or graduate students. Hope that helps.

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I'm assuming the third link is your website. Congrats, very impressive PR's! Quite inspiring

thank you all for your responses.

for those dropping by thread, I'd like to hear your tips on how you were able to schedule your training amidst classes/other activities? What kinds of sacrifices have you had to make to be able to train for your races and still study enough? EC's, nights out with friends, aspiring for ultra-competitive residency etc? Have you been able to put in at least 5 days of workouts consistently during med school, even third year? How do you handle the unpredictable rotation schedules ? early a.m. workouts?

I know when I trained for my marathon, the 20 mile Saturdays would all be consumed by preparation/running/recovery. I wonder if I'll have that luxury in med school

any practical advice and experiences are welcomed

thanks

EBKame said:

I find there is something intrinsic about the medical school weeding out process and culture of perfectionism that drives med students to be extremists. I started running marathons my last year as a premed in college. My time was 4:30 and when I ran it again between first and second year of med school I had almost cut 20 minutes off of my time. I found that the training kept me focused and motivated to study for final exams. It also gives you the sense that you are living for a little more than just medicine. I think it is an excellent way to challenge yourself beyond academics.

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thanks EBKame! My first marathon time was close to yours. Congrats for your marked improvement. I'm looking to train for half's this year, work on speed and endurance, with the goal of marked time improvement next full marathon!

good luck with your training