An Athlete...Abroad?

Hello all and welcome back to my little corner of the internet where I share stories, lessons and advice on a platform that doesn't limit my word count to the size of an Instagram caption! As many of you may know, I am an NCAA division 1 athlete at Marist College who had the opportunity to study abroad this past fall semester in the vibrant city of Florence, Italy. Towards the end of my experience there, I decided to summarize my unique experience specifically as an athlete studying abroad and how that affected me. Now that a few months have flown by after returning for the Spring semester back at Marist, I have settled back into my pre-abroad routine and have returned to the grind of being a collegiate athlete. What's interesting about this blog post is that it's something I wrote in the midst of my life abroad, unsure of what my return to collegiate running would be like when I got back home. But now that I've been home for a few months, it's crazy to see how full circle I've come in proving that a successful athletic career doesn't have to come at the cost of enjoying other incredible 'non-athletic' experiences in life. As I write this blog post, I couldn't be more thankful for this new perspective and I hope to open the conversation up to the niche community of athletes who are interested in studying abroad!

November 15, 2023

On the morning I decided to start writing this, I happened to start my morning routine similar to many this semester...I woke up, made my peanutbutter banana rice cakes, downed a quick shot of espresso and got ready for my run. Once I walk the 15 minutes through the busy streets of Florence to my favorite park to run, I'll start jogging at whatever pace feels comfortable and decide on the spot how far I'm gonna go. Sometimes it's 4 miles, sometimes it's 10. This is my routine...on a morning where I have time. But on weekends where I've spent hours traveling by bus, plane or train followed up by long walks through city streets carrying bags heavy enough to almost give me back and shoulder injuries (cough, cough Amsterdam), I don't always have the time, energy or even access for this morning run ritual. For most people traveling abroad, it's a no brainer when it comes to not having time for a workout when the days are so busy and full of travel. But to a 3 season athlete who spent all of highschool placing my athletic identity at the forefront of who I was and then continuing to run at a high level in college, it's safe to say my whole world was flipped around when I went away for the first weekend trip abroad without fitting a run in.

So, read on to hear what I have to say about my experience as an athlete learning to challenge the idea of balance while studying abroad for a semester!

The first week upon arriving in Florence (End of August 2023) was full of new things beyond what I've ever experienced before. The streets were all cobblestone, I couldn't read many of the signs or labels at grocery stores to see what I was purchasing, the currency was different, tourists were everywhere, coffee culture was completely different and of course, RUNNING would be totally different.

My first attempt at a run was chaotic to say the least. It was mostly spent weaving through 8am crowds of Florence summer tourists. Somehow I ended up at Piazzale Michelangelo to find that it was a giant hill to the top. While I embraced it as hill work, I had no idea where I was once I got to the bottom and proceeded to get lost on my way home...and then stuck in even heavier crowds of tourism that proceeded to build up through the city streets. A first run that I'll never forget! My second run was nothing less of chaotic as I used my GPS to direct me towards the nearest running track a couple miles from my apartment. When I finally arrived through some incorrect turns and more crowded street mania, it was just my luck to find out the track would be closed for construction during the next few months (of COURSE). By the third run, I had figured things out enough to take an exploring kind of run/walk with the purpose to just find a more open location, even if that required a walk to get to the place. Alas, that is where I thankfully stumbled upon Cascine Park. To all of my Florence friends seeking a good path to run, a breath of fresh air or a simple escape from the crowded city streets, allow me to save you the trouble right now and make Cascine Park your ideal location when you are here!

Since then, I have gone on many runs in that park and even signed up for a local gym for the option of cross training or a quick lift. Coming off of a summer running 40+ mile weeks and intense college training, it was definitely challenging at first to take the step back for this semester. At the same time, there is so much going on here that I can't help but be okay with this change because it makes room to welcome so many new things into my life during this unique time spent abroad. I now have the time to reset and put more energy towards other interests and new groups of people which is a super cool thing. While training doesn't look like it would at home, I have been able to stay pretty consistent overall through the mentality of looking at movement as a form of self care and something I will be glad I kept up with for a base when I return home to amp things up again.

Some days its been harder than others to get outside when nobody is holding me accountable. But I like to look at those days as a mental part of training that can go just as far as any physical training. And as I've especially learned through injury this past year, just getting out the door for solo training can be the hardest part. Once you get it done no matter how boring or tough it may feel, that work where nobody is looking will always pay off. I also think it's so important to remember that the discipline will be a whole lot more rewarding when you are living a life that makes you happy outside of when you are training, which studying abroad this semester has certainly allowed me to be :)

All that said is to tell you that studying abroad as an athlete can be anything but a smooth process, but it is possible and can teach you so much about yourself as an athlete and person in the process! Nobody talks enough about how difficult it is as athletes to balance when it is time to be disciplined in training vs when it's okay to be easier on yourself. And when an athlete is in a whole new country living a completely different lifestyle, it can be even tougher to figure things out.

So my advice is: take it day by day, moment by moment.

Similar to new chapters of life requiring us to change our routines, being an athlete abroad requires that same open mindedness and adaptability towards training. That adaptability can be a crucial life skill to have in all aspects of life as well. During weekend trips for example, running doesn't always fit into the plans...and that's OKAY. Embrace the challenges, learn about yourself, find your priorities, and allow yourself the grace to take breaks. Sometimes we all need a step back to make bigger steps forward anyways.

Now that I am nearing the end of this semester abroad and am planning to slowly increase the training load for indoor track when I return home, I couldn't feel more excited and refreshed about working hard alongside my teammates again. I'm not burnt out or injured, I have a fire in me to compete again, and I have been able to see so many new places and meet new people that I'll never forget for the rest of my life. Besides, who's to say a 5 hour hike in the Italian Alps or ziplining in Croatia can't count as quality cross training?!

Hiking in the Dolomites...one of the most memorable and happiest days spent with friends during my abroad experience!

Ziplining in Split, Croatia.

A past version of me would never have even allowed myself to take a break from a season to persue something like traveling the world no matter how happy it would make me. I would have beaten myself up over so many spontaneous rest days and openess to trying new foods even if they aren't at all nutritious. But if that past version of me still existed today, I would likely be burnt out, injured and overworked instead...and that's not what any sport should entail if you can help it. On a recent call with my coach to discuss plans going into winter track, one of the first things he asked me was "Was studying abroad everything you hoped it would be?" and my response was the easiest and most meaningful "Everything and more!" that I could say. While this could apply to any athlete considering going abroad, I also hope this inspires someone that everybody's path is meant to be different. Whether you choose to dedicate all 4 years of college to your sport, or take a semester off to travel the world, just follow your gut and know there is not right or wrong choice as long as you're happy!

Of course not every athlete happens to have the opportunity to go abroad and I am so thankful I have a coach so encouraging of us taking on such a great program with our school, even though it requires redshirting a season. But when you have the chance to say yes to doing something that lights up your soul whatever that may be, make it happen. Because while we may be student athletes, we are people first. And who knows, as long as you pack a pair of running shoes you might wind up running in some of the most beautiful new places you had ever seen!

Admiring the beautiful Hampstead Heath Park in London!

Highly recommend taking your friends up on their running location recommendations when you are in a new place...shoutout Sara hehe!

The beauty of running is that there is always another season waiting for you. Even upon graduation while things will be different, you will still have the power to achieve some pretty cool goals if you are willing to chase after them. Life is a balance, so while it is important to work hard, we all deserve to take a break from the grind once in a while too.

And if you ever find yourself presented with the opportunity to experience that balance during some time studying abroad, I will be the first one to tell you it's 100% worth it!

xx,

Adele