You’ve stretched and you’ve broken in your shoes. To all the moms and dads getting ready for a marathon, I SALUTE YOU! Let’s be honest, running by yourself is hard enough as it is, but add another 50 pounds to push? You got this!
To make things a little easier, here are five tips for running with a stroller.
- Safety first. First off, avoid using a normal four-wheeled stroller for jogging. Running with your child requires a smooth-moving stroller with stability. A normal four-wheeled stroller can tip easily, and the wobbly wheels can't be trusted at higher speeds. Find some examples here.
Also, do a general inspection of the stroller before going out, for safety's sake. Make sure there are no loose screws or anything else out of place.
- Strap in. The harness will protect your child from falling out or getting shaken, so it's important that you use it the way it's intended.
- Get real. You can expect your pace to be at least one minute per mile slower than your normal pace. But you're burning more calories with your effort and doing some resistance training, so don't worry. Keep training because the more you run with your stroller, the easier it will be.
- Lose some weight. Not you–the stroller! No need to weigh it down with the extra diaper bag weight. Pack simply and use a smaller gym sack as a mini diaper bag with the essentials.
- Stay in control. You should never be going so fast that you couldn't stop the jogging stroller if needed. You should always be in control of the stroller.
Use a safety strap on your wrist that attaches to the handles of the stroller. That way, if you unintentionally let go, the stroller will not roll out of your reach.
If you’re struggling with the stroller, try and focus on the rewards coming your way. One of the biggest bonuses of a stroller run is that it’s a combination cardio and strength-training workout, and when you’re a parent, multi-tasking is your best friend. Good luck out there!
Dr. Hogan earned a master's degree in Public Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her pediatric residency Emory University School of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tulane Affiliated Hospitals in New Orleans. Dr. Hogan is board certified in pediatrics and has been on staff at Ochsner since 2001. Her expertise is in the area of general pediatrics. She practices at Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove.
