One of the most common questions I am asked is “Where do you find the time?” I smile and answer “I just do” but I usually think “I don’t find time. I make time.”

My drive to find more time for myself was one of the reasons I retired last December. Yes, I know this seems crazy but so is entering the world of triathlon at age 59. Nearing my 60th year, I felt young; I was healthy and I had put in decades towards my career and raising my family. I was ready to play and knew that I needed more time if I wanted to be competitive. With the support of my family, a few adjustments at home and retirement gave me the time I needed to go after my goals.

Time is a barrier for most women when it comes to sport, especially in endurance or multisport events. At the 2023 London Marathon, there were 10 000 fewer women than men. Similarly, more men participated in Toronto’s TCS Waterfront Marathon where 1/3 of the runners identified as women. In 2023, twice as many men as women earned their Six Star Medal for completing all six major marathons. From marathon to marathon, the data is consistent; there are twice as many men as women.

Last fall, just weeks before the Women’s Ironman World Championships in Kona, Ironman was still inviting women to compete in the 140.6 mile event – again, weeks before. Why were the numbers low? It is harder for women than men to take the additional time from work and family to train for an event like an Ironman. In Canada, for example, women spend an average of 3.9 hours per day on housework, compared to men who spend 2.4 hours per day. Almost anywhere in the world, most of the child-rearing responsibilites fall on the mother. Already recognizing that the projected numbers of women competing in the 2024 World Ironman Championships is again low, Ironman has invited age-group finishers from select 70.3 Ironman events to participate. I have seen first-hand that there is some resentment from men who aspire to compete at the World’s but they do not have the number problem that the women’s championship event does; men just do not have the same barriers.

Even now, in my semi-retired life, time is precious. I plan my week to meet my training goals but something can come up at the last minute, creating a blockade. Last night, for example, my son needed my help. I couldn’t say “later,” nor could I walk away. My priority is and always will be my family, so I ended up missing swim practice. Like so many moms, the weight of the house falls on my shoulders and, while I can handle the mess that may not get cleaned up, I am not willing to overshadow the physical, mental or emotional needs of my family.

This is the problem with women in sport. How do women find that balance between family, work and training? How do we gain acceptance of men who feel that we are receiving special treatment, whether it is a lower BQ time or a different standard for competing in a championship event? How do we keep chasing our dreams?

There is no one solution. But women do deserve the chance to train, to participate and to compete. Despite different standards, regardless of gender, it is the willpower of any athlete who goes after their goals that makes them a success.