How to balance training/work/school?

Hey man, wow that sounds like a busy schedule!

One of the biggest things I found with balancing it all is to use your training as transportation. I've used my bike to get me around almost as soon as I could ride and haven't stopped since. I've also resorted to running to work in the morning now. The only thing I haven't been able to do yet is swim to work or anything haha, but I'll let you know if I find a way

Little snippets of training here and there, consistently, are better than nothing at all. You could also get yourself a mountain bike or touring bike - something heavier - and cruise around. Doing 10 miles in that to work or class or whatever will count for a little more than the same ride on a really light road or TT bike, not to mention less people will want to steal it!

As far as getting all sweaty, well, I've just learned to play it off as being super athletic and that training is VERY important to me Otherwise you could get there early and just dry off a little in a bathroom.

Hope this helps!
Brian

Yeah I run and bike to work because I work in a warehouse so it doesnt matter how clean I am. School is one thing because I cant bring my bike into packed classrooms and will not chain it up outside. I am looking into getting a decent mountain bike for the winter to ride but havent started looking yet.... More interested in a trainer. I think it may help if I try to get a set work schedule so I can have set times to train throughout the week. There is also a gym at my school and I could show up early and get a good 5 miles in on the treadmill before class. I guess I really need to sit down and figure out a schedule... and maybe have a beer... mmmm. beer

easiest way is to write out your work and class schedule on paper and look for holes. Don't rigidly plan your workouts, but just know when you are able to get them in. Then as the week progresses, just think ahead to what works best with your homework load and social life and adjust as needed. Another trick I use is to study while training. I'll spend some time (45 min to an hour) going over notes, then head out on a run or a ride (something where you don't have to think about) and explain everything you were just looking at to yourself in your head (or go with someone else in the class and discuss)

for me outside of finding the holes in my schedule, the two biggest thigns i did were:

1- short course racing only (this is fun, and will help later if you step up to longer distance)
2- a bit more quality vs qaunity focus.

i made sure to get in a longer ish bike/run when i could, but a lot more speed work on the bike, and some on the run helped. running is easyto get 20-30 min runs in when you have time, and the bike, a lot more harder and short 1-1:30 rides. with some focued intervals you can do a lot in an hour.

threshold and 20 min power intervals will gt you a long way in the shorter races.

+1 on having a fluid training schedule. Some weeks I hit my hours, other weeks I definitely go under. But at this point in time school is my main focus. I try to keep everything pretty flexible so that I can fit in ride's and swim's between classes or right after class before I have to hunker down for studying. Running is the easiest to fit in because it can be done at any time of the day (restrictions with daylight for bike, and pool times for swim).