The other day a colleague was telling me how discombobulated she was because she awoke at 6:45 that morning -- earlier than her usual rising.

I just smiled. I didn't tell her that I was already out pounding the pavement at 5:45 that morning. Yes, it sounds extreme, but if you're trying to squeeze in exercise -- and you've got kids -- the only time you really have control of your day is the morning.

This is not my natural schedule. Left to no schedule, I'd stay up 'til 2 and sleep 'til 11. But we all have to make adjustments when the kids come along, because they follow their own time zone.

I run with a group of East End women and one regular guy who have the same demands. We meet at the ungodly hour of 7 a.m. on Sundays for a 3- to 4-mile run. On Wednesdays and Fridays, we meet at 5:45 a.m. and lately as the weather has gotten milder (not today, unfortunately) we've been squeezing in extra runs at other times of the week.

Meeting the group for a run is one of the high points of my day and a great way to get it started. My husband, a marathoner, says it's not real running if you're gabbing the whole way with friends, but it certainly makes the effort more enjoyable.

We've passed on this running passion to most of our children, too. Our two older girls, in particular, love cross-country, and our son has started participating in a school running club. Also for years, we've all run the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure on Mother's Day together, as well as the very popular Regent Square Run Around the Square 5K and 1.5-mile walk/run -- this year on Saturday, Aug. 25. The Regent Square run, in particular, is a very kid-friendly event with loads of running categories and trophies for kids.

Certainly getting your kids involved in exercise that you enjoy helps keep the whole family active and provides another way to spend time together.

First Published: April 5, 2007, 4:00 a.m.