School is back in session and the work is piling up faster then I can write it down in my planner.

I’ve picked up an extra position writing for The Daily Kent Stater, (Kent’s student-run newspaper, my work can be found here.) organized a 6-week intramural volleyball team, work 16-hours a week at the local grocery store and oh ya, I forgot I’m taking 17 credit hours this semester.

It’s hard for me to fit in sleep and to keep my room clean let alone find time to run my 3.9 mile summer route that I ran so religiously for the past four months. I have even permanently set my alarm clock on my cellphone to ring every morning at 8 a.m. in hopes that I will actually get out of bed to go for a morning run – which has yet to happen, stay tuned.

During the first two weeks of school (we are currently in the third week and I feel like it should be finals week) I was running almost every night around 9 p.m. It was warm at night and the perimeter of campus (which is primarily my running route) is well-lite. I chose to run at night because there seems to be about 8 billion people on campus all-day, everyday now. Nothing annoys me more then having to zig-zag between people nonstop during a run, plus I found night running to be comforting.

But in the past week and a half the weather has turned somewhat cold and rainy, depressing – unmotivating.  I have found myself tucked into bed forcing myself to read text books about economics and principles of management instead (I know – ew.) of going on my nightly runs. My mom says “You have all your running Under Amour and spandex with you so just go!” But one look at running spandex and I get annoyed. Remember you’re talking to the girl who was critically depressed when September first rolled around.

I was looking back at some old pictures tonight and found this one on my computer after a summer’s evening run. (Notice the old apartment – I miss it.)

Ah summer. And I absolutely LOVE that Nike tank I’m wearing, sleek black with a built-in bra and you can wear it comfortable under other things as well. Check it out here. (I love summer running clothes.)

This picture made me both sad and motivated. Yes it’s 12:30 a.m. and I have a pile of homework calling my name, but tomorrow – I’m going running. No more of this “I’m too busy, it’s too cold” excuse. I was happy running everyday in the summer, plus it’s proven that students who work out more and are active get better grades. I had a set schedule in the summer so I’m going to get back into a set schedule of running during  fall semester.

What do you guys do to stay motivated and to get your butt out there and just run? And for my work friend who reads my blog, and is probably the only one who rightfully does so, LIZ RUN!