With months of Pelvic Floor conditioning behind me and my little guy getting bigger, this month I hit the pavement with my jogging stroller. I was fortunate enough to be given an InStep Fixed Wheel Jogger which I am happy with so far. I knew using a jogging stroller would be hard but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Part of the struggle might have had something to do with the year that has passed since my last outdoor run. 😉 My runs to date are more for sanity than speed, read on for my observations and suggestions.
Living in Richmond which is primarily flat makes pushing the stroller much easier, hills are tough enough without the added challenge. I will definitely have to get some practice with hills before I enter any races.
The biggest difference I notice is how much I end up using my core to push the stroller. My abs burn during every run. It might have something to do with the muscle-loss during pregnancy and perhaps my pelvic injury.
My pace is much slower than usual.
- Average pre-pregancy pace while marathon training was 6’12″km
- Average pace during pregnancy was 8’23″km
- With a handful of jogs with the stroller under my belt my average pace to-date is 8’14″km, but this is bound to improve as I ease back into running.
Jogging Stroller Suggestions:
You may want to scope out potential routes before taking off with your stroller. Things like uneven sidewalks or curbs can be dangerous. Same thing with traffic. Your favorite run might be impossible with a stroller.
I recommend heading to parks, if you can. Most of these concerns become non-issues.
I suggest starting with a walk/run approach this way you can check on your little one during those first times out, to make sure they are properly in place and comfortable.
Not using my arms while running is difficult . . . but not as annoying as I thought it would be. I would never recommend taking your hands off the stroller entirely. But if you’re at a relatively safe park, I sometimes alternate hands so one can be free. It helps if I’m feeling particularly tired or when I need some water.
I haven’t reached a point where stroller running feels like normal. But that’s OK, I’m treating it like its own sport, and just enjoying being able to get out in any capacity.
I try to jog right after a feeding, in hopes that my little guy will nap, but he often likes to stay awake and enjoy the ride. I do get nervous that he might scream when we’re far away from home, but it hasn’t happened yet!
Make sure your baby is bundled for the elements, but not too hot. Basically, dress your baby as you would dress yourself if you weren’t running. (A lightweight hat never hurts.)
With the arrival of Fall in Vancouver I’m afraid my runs might not be as regular as I’d like, but I plan to get out whenever I can. I’d like to hear from more seasoned stroller runners. Does it feel like second nature after a while? Any tips to share?
