I have been a competitive runner for about twenty five years, and it has been a challenge to fit in my training while working as a reading consultant and raising my baby daughter.  I also try to volunteer at races as much as possible. This year I hope to improve my time in a  run/bike/run event in my town by a few minutes. I fit my runs in before I pick up my daughter from her grandparents or daycare or on the weekends. My long bike rides are limited to weekends only. Luckily, the gym that my husband and I belong to includes up to two hours of excellent child care per day.  I certainly take advantage of this service as much as possible. I  am lucky to have middle school student, and next door neighbor who enjoys being a parent helper. I'm not willing to let my daughter cry while I complete my prep work for school, so I hire my neighbor often. My hubby is not as willing to give up time with our daughter to fit in working out, but I was excited to see him running down the sidewalk in the pitch black dark last night as I drove home from the gym.  We both work hard and enjoy running, but I enjoy being competitive.