It would be an understatement to say that Martha Smith's life is hectic. As chief operating officer for Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, she has an extremely demanding career. Now she's busier than ever, gearing up for Kapi'olani's centennial. Yet she always makes time to keep fit.

"I have to keep my work and life in balance as we get ready for our 100th anniversary" in 2009, she said. "I have a busy schedule, so being fit helps me maintain balance." She refers to her fitness routine as "training for my life."

Smith takes her responsibility to be a role model for her employees seriously. She uses the stairs instead of the elevator. In spite of a sweet tooth, she tries to make healthy choices.

Although her job requires her to go out socially several times a week, and more during the holiday season and the upcoming centennial, she will get up at 4:30 a.m., "so I won't have an excuse not to work out."

Yes, it requires discipline, but Smith has discipline in spades.

Her husband, Tony Smith, an avid soccer player and lifelong fitness buff, helps Smith stay on track. While they don't work out together (he is a morning person, while she prefers evenings), they do encourage each other.

"He knows I can't handle a day or two without exercise," Smith said. "He keeps after me. He'll say, 'Aren't you running today?' or 'You're eating that?' "

Without a workout, she said, she can get really cranky.

Smith began running in college because of fear of the "freshman 15," those 15 pounds many students seem to gain their freshman year.

"As you get older you have to work harder," she said. "That's all there is to it."

Now 50, she has added swimming, yoga and weights to her workouts. Weights three times a week can get boring and repetitive, so Smith hires a personal trainer every once in a while to teach her new methods.