Whenever a runner hears about stroller running, they typically think of the challenges that pushing extra weight can add. I think that most runners, whether or not they have ever run with a stroller, can imagine that this would be harder than regular running. I’ve been running with a stroller for 8 months and I have learned that there are many challenges to running with a stroller that have nothing to do with the extra weight!
I thought that sharing this might give some insight into the challenges that go into stroller running. I certainly didn’t think about most of these things beforehand!
The Challenges of Stroller Running
I think it goes without saying that running with a stroller is harder than running solo. Laura had a great guest post on her blog about Training for a Marathon with a Stroller. If you want more info about strategies for training with a stroller you can check that out! For today, I’m going to talk about all the other logistical pieces.
Planning for a stroller Run
There is so much planning that goes into running with a stroller! Especially when you’re first getting started. Where will you run that you won’t need to deal with traffic? What time of day is best to run around your baby’s schedule? What will you need to bring? Is it too hot or too cold? What will your baby wear? These factors are all important and need to be considered before starting a stroller run!
Prepping for a Stroller Run
Once you actually have a plan, you need to prepare for the run. This might mean packing up what you will need in the stroller beforehand. Not only will you need your own gear and accessories, but you will probably also needs some things for the baby. If you need to drive somewhere to run then you need to fold up the stroller and put it in your car. It also helps to make sure you baby is fed before heading out to avoid making a stop or ending the run early.
Entertaining Your Baby
Once you are actually out there it can be hard to keep your little one happy! Maybe they will sleep, but maybe not. By the time we started running with Grayson in the stroller he was about 6.5 months old. We had him on a pretty good sleep routine and I didn’t want him to nap during our runs for a few reasons. First, it might take him so long to fall asleep that by the time he did it would be time to go home. I also knew I wouldn’t be running far enough to allow him to get in a long nap. And finally, I wanted him to nap in the crib so I could take advantage of nap time to get other things done!
I didn’t have to do anything to prevent him from falling asleep, I would just take him out about an hour after he woke up in the morning and make sure we were done well before his next nap. There has only been one time ever that he fell asleep in the jogging stroller, and I ended up doing 7 miles that day.
Adjusting Your Run
Based on how your baby is doing on the run, you may need to make some adjustments. There will be frequent stops and you may even need to end your run early once in awhile. I try to talk to him as much as possible and I let him have a pacifier while we are out. I also put toys in there with him but only ones that I can attach to the stroller (so they don’t end up on the sidewalk). He really doesn’t play with them much.
I am not sure if certain ages are generally harder or easier for stroller running with a little one. I think for us this age (14 months) is a little harder than when he was and infant because he is so much more active and doesn’t want to sit still. And there aren’t many toys that can actually keep him entertained in there.
Maintaining Good Running Form
When you’re not trying to entertain your baby, or stopping to replace his pacifier, or trying to decide if he’s hungry or needs to go home, you also need to make sure you are maintaining good running form! I find that I am much more likely to hunch over when I run with the stroller. When I’m not too distracted I try to think about keeping my shoulders down and chest open. I also try to switch hands frequently so I’m not always pushing with the same one.
Returning from a Stroller Run
When you get home the fun doesn’t end! You are tired and sweaty but your baby is itching to get out of the stroller and move on to the next activity. I try to make sure I keep my stuff as organized as possible so it’s ready to go for my next stroller run. Sometimes I just change really quickly so that I’m not in sweaty clothes anymore, and just shower during his next nap. This allows him some time to move around and play after sitting in the stroller for awhile.
As you can see, there are a lot of added challenges to running with a stroller! I stay close to home in case we need to end the run early and so that we don’t need to bring many supplies with us. (I don’t bring diapers or milk or anything. If we needed anything like that we could be home within a few minutes.) It’s probably different if you are doing a long run or driving somewhere for your run.
It’s definitely a nice option to be able to do stroller runs, but they also make me appreciate my solo runs even more. It can be really hard to relax on these kinds of runs!
You may also like:
My Year of Postpartum Running in 2019
My Top 10 Tips for Running (or not) During Pregnancy
How to Run with a Jogging Stroller
Our Favorite Baby Products for the First 3 Months
Have you ever run with a stroller?
Do any of these challenges surprise you?
What do you think would be the hardest part of stroller running?
What are some other topics you are interested in for the Runners’ Roundup?
RUNNERS’ ROUNDUP
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 Faux Runner to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
My goodness, I have never even thought about all the logistical issues you describe here! All I thought about how it must be hard to push. I have deep respect for all parents out there who manage to get out with a stroller.
I think I’ve gotten used to how it feels to push it (for the most part, but he’s only getting bigger!) All the other stuff just adds an extra challenge to it!
I will start running my daughter in the stroller soon. We live along a nice pathway system, so thankfully we won’t have to deal with many intersections! I do worry about timing with naps, so I’m hoping a mobile or just the scenery keeps her awake.
That’s great to have somewhere so convenient to run! As long as you’re not going out for too long the naps shouldn’t be a big problem. For a longer run it’s probably better to plan for her to sleep during part of it anyway!
Oh yes. I remember thinking a run stroller was going to be the answer to all of my running challenges but you’re right: It’s hard for so many reasons. I remember calling it quits on a few runs because baby was just too fussy. When they got older, I also had to pull over at playgrounds. I’ll tell you what was sad though: When the time came to sell my BOB. Sigh.
I bet there are different challenges with it at every age. At least when he is a little older there will be more toys to hopefully entertain him, plus there’s always bribery:) I know I will miss it when these days are over!
You aren’t kidding how hard it is to run with a stroller. I even got costochondritis once–thought I was having a heart attack, lol. I loved how it got me outside with my baby. When I had 2, I tested a double jogger and no. That was way too hard!
I am really in awe of parents who run with a double stroller- especially because these logistical issues become twice as complicated!
I have so much respect for the MRTT stroller runners in our group! I have tried to push them (for a min) for friends and oh my it’s tough. The form is hard to maintain and yes they are heavy. I think it really gets you into way better shape faster though. Full respect! Thanks for sharing
I do think it helped with my fitness last summer when I was training for my race. Plus it allows me to get out for more runs each week!
We had a jogging stroller, but I wasn’t a runner then (back when our kids were “stroller size”). The jogger was much easier to walk with than a regular stroller, though! I would imagine the toughest part for me (had I used the jogger for its intended purpose) would be the arm swinging (or lack there of). That would really throw off my balance and mess with my form.
Totally agree about the jogging stroller being great for walking! The arm thing is weird but I guess you sort of get used to it.
Girl, I give all the credit to stroller runners! I didn’t ever run when little man was that small (if he was ever that small LOL!), so I missed out on that particular challenge. I did help a friend push her son’s stroller during a run and I was amazed at how hard it was. And that’s without having to keep the baby happy and all that!
I think that I’ve sort of gotten used to pushing the stroller. If I was running a flat, straight route it probably wouldn’t feel that hard at this point. But keeping him happy is tough and mostly out of my control!
I will never forget the time I was running a race and was passed by a much younger runner, going up a steep hill in the last half mile. I thought I was doing great until that point in the race. She was pushing a double stroller! With 2 toddlers! Burst my bubble immediately! 🙂
Wow! I actually remember seeing someone running on the beach last summer with a double!! That just seems crazy to me!
Baby joggers weren’t invented yet when I had my babies. Nor was I running then so it didn’t matter! 🙂
I will always remember a friend of mine passing me during a really hard, uphill race (and I mean almost straight uphill) when he was pushing a double baby jogger. Yikes, that had to be so hard!
Running uphill with that thing feels almost impossible! And the thought of running a race with it hasn’t even crossed my mind at this point.
There are some days I miss running with the stroller and most days I definitely do not. But it was really fun to always have a built in running buddy 🙂
I’m sure I will miss it when these days are over! I just feel bad sometimes that he doesn’t enjoy being out there as much as I do. I am hoping that I can make it more fun for him as he gets older.
I really dislike, borderline hate running with our stroller. It’s a “jogging stroller”, but yuck, it’s not light or friendly at all. I’d maybe like it a bit more if we had a Bob, but we don’t roll (pun intended) that way!
I have the Thule and it’s pretty good to run with! Definitely not easy but pretty smooth. It’s just nice to have another way to get in a run!
I wasn’t a runner when my boys were in the stroller phase. I give stroller runners so much credit! Especially when they blow by during a race! LOL!
I can’t imagine racing with the stroller! If I did it would have to be “just for fun”:)
I am so glad I never had to do this. I can barely some days push myself lol.
Haha I hear ya! It’s definitely not easy.
Every time I see runners (male or female, I’ve seen both) pushing a stroller I am simply amazed. Not being a mother, though, I admit I didn’t think about all those extra challenges.
I get just a little taste of that every time we travel with the dogs. Even for the day, it takes a lot of stuff & planning. But I can just leave the dogs in my mom’s apartment . . .
Dogs seem like alot of work too! But I guess they can be left unsupervised more than children:)
When my kids were in strollers I wasn’t yet a runner. But I took lots of walks with them in the stroller so I can relate to many of these logistical things. BUT… the two that jumped out as different (and I’d never thought of) is maintaining running form! (When walking leisurely with stroller, this of course wasn’t really an issue) and the second one is returning with stroller all sweaty! At least when walking, I never really got sweaty at all. But running would be completely different of course!
Yep alot of these apply to walks too! I guess with running the difference with getting out the door is that I need to really get myself ready too, along with all the stuff for the stroller.
My goodness, I have never even thought about all the logistical issues you describe here! All I thought about how it must be hard to push. I have a deep respect for all parents out there who manage to get out with a stroller.