I started this whole running business while staying at home with my son. I have no family in the area to watch him while I run, so I had to find a way to include him in my workouts. Since I figured he couldn’t keep up with me during my runs at the tender age of 14 months (I mean, I’m slow, but c’mon!), I bought a jogging stroller.
So now I could run and he was relatively entertained in his moving throne. Here are some tips for running or walking with a stroller.
1. Schedule your run around your child’s schedule
As my son got older, he would get more and more bored with just sitting in the stroller. I had to come up with a plan to make it work. We would start the morning off with a trip to the park. I’d let him play on the equipment and run around a bit to get some energy out.
Next was snack time! I’d put some plain cheerios or other snacks in his tray and start my run. This way he could leisurely eat while I got my run in. (Be careful with choking hazards) Nap time would often follow and this could sometimes give me up to an hour to run or walk.
Please do not take your child out when she is stressed, hungry, or sick. You will regret it!
2. Toddlers appreciate scenery too!
If your child gets bored while you run, try to pick places where there is a lot to look at. A park with a pond and ducks worked for us. Sometimes scenery can make the run more pleasant for both you and your kid.
There are even some strollers that the ability to play music so that your child can be enjoy his scenery with a background tune.
3. Consider the weather
These stroller covers are sold almost everywhere and protect nicely against rain and cold. I have run with my son many a day in the pouring rain. At the end of the run, I’d be soaking, but he would be as dry as when we started. Though the less expensive covers don’t increase the heat inside the stroller, they do block excessive wind.
Dressed warmly and with a blanket, a child can be comfortable in winter and fall weather. Use your best judgment about whether it’s too cold for your child.
The summer can be a danger too. The area I live in is very humid in the summer, so I am used to running in the heat. The sun blazing down can hurt your little one even if he is not the one doing all the work. If possible, try to run in a shaded area or in the morning or evening when the sun as its lowest points. Use lots of sunscreen and stop for frequent water breaks for both you and baby. Make good use of the sunshade that comes attached to most strollers. Or you can purchase UV protectant covers for the entire stroller.
When it was really hot, I’d wet my son’s head before a run to really keep him cool.
Of course, you want to dress them appropriately for however the weather is.
5. Don’t ignore safety
- Make sure your youngin’ is old enough to be in a stroller. He/She must have good head control and preferably not be under six months old. Try walking with a stroller until your child is old enough for running
- It is often advised that you lock the front wheel to avoid sudden swerves or turns
- Always strap your child in completely. You might not think he’s going anywhere, but you never know what might happen
- If your stroller comes with a wrist strap, use it! Also having a stroller with a hand break is wonderful
- Be cautious of going down hills too fast and muddy paths. Try to avoid running in the street with cars.
- Do not EVER let go of the stroller while in motion, even for a few seconds.
- Avoid giving sippie cups or bottles. Or if you do this, use extreme caution. This can become a missile aimed right for your running feet or another unsuspecting runner.
6. Be prepared!
Most strollers come with a basket under the seat to keep items in. Even though you might just be out for a 30 minute run and you just changed your daughter’s diaper, you might still need to perform an emergency diaper change in case of a surprise poop.
If your stroller has inflated wheels, you will need to carry a pump and other items in case you have a flat. Here is a good guide on how to change a flat tire. I never had one while I was running with a stroller, but I did have to occasionally put more air my tires.
7. Avoiding Injury
When I started running, I found that I was leaning forward on my stroller for support during my workout. This lead to some minor back pain until I was told by a fellow runner not to do that.
Hunching forward is not good. Maintain proper posture during your run (even when not using a stroller).
8. Don’t stress!
If you were a runner pre-stroller, you might be surprised at how much slower you’re going to go post-stroller. It’s also going to be more of a workout going up hills and just in general because of the added weight. This is just something you have accept.
To avoid rushing before a workout, try to get everything ready the day before, so you can just get baby ready and head out of the door. Include tire checks in your preparation.
We all have days where we’re just in a bad mood and kids are no exception. If you find that your little one is having an off day, and you’ve done everything you can think of, maybe it’s time to just go home and try it again tomorrow. Try not to get angry or frustrated. It happens even to the most mild mannered children.
9. Choose a stroller right for you
Being from a single income family left me wondering how in the world I was going to afford a good stroller. The ones that I’d browsed online were in the $400-500 range…yikes!
After intensively reading reviews online and visiting my local Babies R Us, I found one that worked for me and my budget (the one pictured above). I tested it out in the store before purchasing it (they let me run in a circle with it). It was actually an all terrain stroller, cost about $170, and worked for me just fine. It was perfect for walking and jogging (at a slow pace).
Based on your running ability and budget, pick the stroller that best suits your needs. Here’s a great article on choosing a stroller.
Having a child does not have to be the end of your days working out. It’s a chance for you to get out of the house and your child to get some visual stimulation. More importantly, your child can see firsthand from an early age that exercise is something that you place importance on in your life.
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