The plan was set.

Andy Viker was going to bike home from work and go for a run. His wife, Amy, who had already squeezed in a long bike ride Thursday afternoon, was going to pick up the kids and make supper.

That may sound simple, but it was an accomplishment just to come up with something.

“There’s a lot of give and take with our schedules,” Amy said.

Indeed, besides juggling their jobs, their kids’ baseball and softball games and all of the other everyday necessities, the Vikers have been in training for today’s North Mankato Triathlon.

“It’s harder when (Andy’s) training, too because I can’t hog all the time,” Amy said.

Scheduling can be almost as tasking as a long run, and working out together isn’t even an option.

“I think it would be more fun if we could do it together,” Amy said.

The Vikers try to find time for each other to train, and, fortunately, the two 36-year-olds have their own motivation to get in a good workout.

Amy, who did her first North Mankato Triathlon — which includes a quarter-mile swim in Hiniker Pond, a 13-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run — is training for the Twin Cities Marathon in October. Andy, who did the triathlon two years ago, is trying to get in shape.

“I started swimming as soon as the (Mankato West boys swim) season was done,” said Andy, who coaches the Scarlets.

Both athletes have their strengths. Andy, who has been a lifeguard at every triathlon but the one he raced in, likes the swimming, naturally.

“A lot of people in the triathlon dread the swim,” he said. For him, the bike ride is the killer.

Amy, meanwhile, likes the bike the best. As for swimming ...

“I have a swimming coach at my disposal,” said Amy.