It’s been a few months since I wrote specifically about stroller running. I have now been running with a stroller for a full year! The whole experience has changed so much in that year. I know it will continue to change as my son gets older, but I thought I would share what it’s been like recently to stroller run with a 1 year old.
Around the time Grayson turned 1 (mid-December) I found that running with him in the stroller became more challenging. He was still going down for a morning nap no later than 9 am so I needed to go early enough that he wouldn’t be overtired and start falling asleep on our run. (My worry was he would fall asleep in the stroller and then not nap at home.) I wasn’t training for anything and the weather wasn’t great so we were only going out for stroller runs a few times a month.
Once the weather started to improve and we became quarantined I wanted to run with him more. But he had started walking and had no interest in sitting in the stroller while I ran. He would fuss pretty much the whole time (it wasn’t necessarily crying, but more that he would make noises indicating he was unhappy). Toys didn’t help and I was not yet comfortable giving him snacks in there.
Now he is 18 months old and does so much better in there! I think there are a few things that have helped him to enjoy it more.
What has changed now that he is 18 months old
-he is bored of being in the house (aren’t we all…)
-during the rest of the day he runs around so much that this is a nice break for him.
-he is a little bigger and has more control over his body in the stroller, so he can move and look around easier.
-I started giving him some snacks- so far only cut up berries and pouches. I don’t like that I can’t see his face while he is eating in there. Soon I will give him more than that but this is working for now.
-He’s learned that runs or walks are part of our routine.
-He “communicates” more- even though he’s not talking, he has a better understanding of what I am saying and he can say a few words or try to talk back to me, so it’s almost like we are chatting on our runs.
What It’s Like to Stroller Run with a 1 year Old
He makes a game out of throwing his shoes and hat out of the stroller. Around the 1.5 mile mark is when it starts (or 15 minutes in if we are walking).
The stroller becomes covered in food. Berries are crushed into the seat. The pouch I give him explodes everywhere.
The stroller feels heavy to push. Especially uphill. When I started running with a stroller I barely noticed the weight when I was running on flat terrain. I’ve asked this a million times but how in the world do people run with double strollers?
We run for 15 minutes straight and then stop every 4-5 minutes for the rest of the run.
When I try to take a picture he freaks out because he wants my phone.
He gets upset when we run past our house so I can round out my run to the nearest mile.
When we get home he needs to make sure that I put all my running stuff back where it belongs. It’s good to have someone to keep me in line I guess.
After the run, he needs to refuel more than I do. Seriously, I try to eat something and he ends up eating it all, plus whatever snacks I’ve given him. This kid would eat all day if I let him. (Hmm maybe that has something to do with the stroller feeling so heavy…)
I don’t run a ton of stroller miles, and I really don’t want to push my luck with how things have been going lately. I’m sure things will be different in a few months. It will be interesting when he is talking more to see what he has to say about going on these runs. Before I know it I will probably be getting criticized for running too slow or not bringing the right snacks.
You may also like:
A New Running Challenge for this Summer
My Year of Postpartum Running in 2019
How to Run with a Jogging Stroller
What questions do you have about stroller running with a 1 year old?
Would you rather run with a baby or a chatty toddler?
Are you impressed that on all of these stroller runs we have not lost any shoes or hats yet? 😉
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs, Running on Happy and Organic Runner Mom to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
Haha, I’m just imagining Grayson throwing his shoes out of the stroller! Hilarious!
I’m glad to see he’s getting used to it.
I wonder if Grayson would be less fussy if you were in front of him? I see parents here pulling their baby behind them on their bikes, and their kids are always fast asleep.
Of course, that kind of running contraption would first need to be invented. For now, it’s all pushing!
They actually make something called a kid runner where you pull the kid behind you! They are in a little seat thing that attaches to your waist. I think it would make me nervous not to be able to see him though.
I never ‘loved’ stroller running–it’s so hard! But I loved having my guy with me on the run. We had some fun conversations. The double stroller–I tried renting one once and it was ridiculous.
I was really surprised that on my long run last weekend I realized I missed having him with me. But don’t get me wrong- I love having the alone time!
Anything they can throw on the geound, they will! We currently have a no-shoes policy since she kicks them off. I will have to figure out what to do in winter!
Well now whenever we leave the house he insists on wearing shoes, so I just go with it. And he finds it fun to throw them out so it entertains him for a minute. He’s never thrown his snack out of the stroller though!
Kudos to you! Our kids were well out of the stroller phase when I started running, but I did a lot of walking with the stroller (single and then a double) and those hills!
The hills with the stroller just feel impossible!
I never ran with a stroller but we did take lots of walks with it. The throwing the shoes out was a daily event. I have tried pushing them for friends a few times and wow it’s not easy! Kudos to you for making it part of your routine
I think the throwing shoes thing is just something all kids love to do. I dont really mind it much since he only does it once per run and then i put them underneath the stroller.
Oh wow, sorry I am chuckling at your expense. Been there, done that and yes, it changes by the day. My BOB stroller supposedly carried up to 70 pounds. We were so done with it well before that. Haha. Wait til you get to the phase where you MUST pullover at every playground.
Ugh, I know. We have one across the street and I will probably have to avoid running that direction until the end of the run, otherwise I will never get to finish running!
I am very impressed that you haven’t lost anything yet! Of course, I’m even more impressed with anyone who runs pushing a stroller. Just think about how much stronger that’s making you! Seriously!
I hope so! I try to remind myself of that when it feels really hard.
I really enjoyed running with my daughter in the stroller. We had so much fun. When my son was little I was still a treadmill runner so I didn’t run with him. But we took plenty of walks!
I think it will be more fun as he can talk more. But I do like having him with me! Its more fun for me when he is enjoying it.
Never had to run with a stroller…thank God. I can barely drag myself through the miles.
I am impressed and just think how strong you are getting.
I never thought I would be a stroller runner but here I am! I do hope its making me stronger.
Girl, I give you all the credit in the world. Stroller running is HARD. I didn’t start running until after little man was out of the stroller, so my only experience was when I was helping friends, but it was certainly a challenge! You have really rocked it!
Thanks! Honestly I feel like I can deal with pushing the actual stroller, its all the logistical stuff and keeping the little one happy that I find to be really challenging!
It sounds like you’ve both settled in to stroller running. It makes me laugh to think of him throwing his shoes out. I hope you’ll write about it when he really can talk and express his opinion. I’d love to hear what he says!
Haha I’m sure I will share how it goes once he is talking more! I’m sure it will be entertaining but maybe also a little frustrating.
I sure do remember my stroller running days. I actually enjoyed it but I really didn’t have a choice at the time. When I had the 2 of them they would tell me to run faster. :-/
Haha aww, if only they knew how hard it is to push a stroller! I am learning to like it more, especially now that he isn’t as miserable in there.