Being a student-athlete is a significant amount of work, whether it’s competing in sports, managing schoolwork, or striking a balance between the two. A day in the life of a student-athlete can seem pretty exhausting.
Michael Celatka, a sophomore at the university, competes in both the mile and the 3k for the university’s men’s cross-country team. Throughout the fall cross country season, Michael showed his dedication and skill by participating in all six team meets and consistently secured a top-seven position for New Haven.
At the NCAA Division II East Region Championship, Celatka finished sixth in the demanding 10k course with a time of 36:37.5. Early in the season, Celatka managed a top-25 finish at the Wesleyan Cardinal Invitational and broke the 29-minute mark twice, with his season’s best of 28:47.2 at the Bruce Kirsch Invitational.
Celatka starts his mornings early with training that consists of fast-paced sprints, long-distance runs or pace sprints.
When he isn’t running, Celatka is in the gym.
“There is a common misconception that runners will never lift heavy, but distance runners only lift heavy because it’s all strength training,” he said. “We’re not trying to build muscle. We’re trying to build strength—how much strength can you have in that small amount of muscle so you can perform at the highest level you can.”
He said athletes also focus on injury prevention by using bands, balance boards and emphasizing a large range of motion. He said his coach advises that runners should recover twice the amount they train, whether through stretching, rolling, or visiting the trainer. Celatka said that even in class, he is stretching, whether it’s his ankle for mobility or stretching other leg muscles.
His afternoons start after practice ends. He returns to his room and gets ready before having to leave for class.
Celatka said he grabs to-go boxes from the Marketplace and eats during class. The track team has a nutritionist; Celatka said he consumes around 5,000 calories a day as he burns approximately 4,000 each day. He said he typically consumes large amounts of proteins such as chicken, along with ample carbs, vegetables, and fruits.
There’s not much time for eating during the day due to class restrictions, which is a significant part of a runner’s day given the substantial calorie loss during training—ranging between 4,000 to 7,000 calories, depending on body mass.
Beyond the physical aspect, student-athletes are expected to perform mentally. The team mandates a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If this requirement isn’t met, student-athletes have mandated study times. Celatka said it’s challenging to study and do work around his strenuous athlete’s schedule.
After classes, he typically finishes homework and works as a referee at the rec center. He insists on getting eight hours of sleep, so depending on when his first class is and when practice starts, determines when he goes to sleep. However, in Celatka’s free time, he hangs out with friends, plays sports – especially basketball, a passion of his.
From grueling training sessions to demanding academic requirements, Celatka finds time for personal interests and hobbies.
