I guess when I signed up to run a half marathon this semester, I forgot one minor detail: I am a college student.
And as a college student, I actually have to go to class, pay attention and even study occasionally. It’s shocking, I know, but it’s part of the job.
This week, I definitely struggled to balance schoolwork along with my training schedule. I had two exams, a quiz, a group project and a four-page paper to conquer, all while making the time to run at least three miles a day.
Needless to say, it was a challenge. I had a lot of long days, long nights and very little sleep in between. And, it shames me to admit there were a few days this week I just wasn’t able to find the time to run.
But I’ve always followed the cardinal principle that school comes first, even when I’m lacking sleep and training. So I guess if I had to sacrifice a few days of training to do succeed in my classes, it was worth it, mainly because I did well on all of my tests and assignments for the week.
I’ve discovered that the greatest thing about running, in my opinion, is that even if you take a few days off, for whatever reason it may be – to relax and recuperate, or just to make time for other aspects of life – running comes back to you just as naturally is if you had never taken a break from doing it.
And that’s what I’m coming to appreciate about running through this training process. It’s becoming a natural instinct and nearly automatic for me to put my body in motion, start running and just keep going.
 I love it.