Local mom Tara Frazer is looking for running buddies. She writes, “I have a sincere interest in finding other mommies (or daddies or people and/or their dogs for that matter) to trail run with a couple times a week. Running in numbers apparently scares off the mountain lions and bears, plus running with others would be fun. Thinking early mornings but definitely would entertain other times, especially on the weekends.”

Are there any existing running groups out there that I could refer her to? Or any individuals interested in pairing up? Feel free to post contacts in the comments section below (where other interested runners can see, too) or send them to me to pass along using the contact form (see upper right-hand corner).

I have to add that I’m so amazed by parents that manage to maintain a regular exercise regimen. Though I was fairly disciplined about it before children, I’ve failed miserably since. It’s funny, I used to scoff when people said they didn’t have time to exercise. I’d think haughtily, “You have time. You’re just not making it a priority.” But now I feel like it would require me to give up something fundamental, like eating or the little sleep that I get. And, as a working mom, it’s hard not to feel guilty about swapping time with the kids for workouts. I’m told it gets better as they get older. Is this true? To parents who are managing to stay fit, what are your secrets?