running with a jogging stroller

Just as I shared in my 2 month post baby body goals, I set out for my first run with Hunter in the jogging stroller this morning. Since it’s been so stinking hot here lately, I wanted to make sure we went as early as possible to beat the heat.

I also wanted the first run to be on a smooth surface. Not like the sidewalks by my house which I’ve tripped on running and even just walking. So to the Salmon Creek/Klineline path we went. We arrived at 9:30 am, and it was already up to 70 degrees with the sun blazing. Shades were a necessity. Always.

Hunter was already asleep from the short drive there, which made sense since I waited to leave the house until it was closer to his nap time. I propped a rolled blanket up on each side of his head to keep it from moving much.

We purchased the Baby Trend Expedition ELX Travel System Stroller (Everglade) for a couple reasons.

• It came with an infant car seat and base – kinda a necessity to bring him home
• It was more affordable than a BOB
• It’s super smooth (tried it out in the store)
• I really liked the color

You’re probably supposed to wait until babies are a little older to run with a baby, but since I was using the infant car seat with the stroller, and got the okay from his pediatrician, I felt okay with it. The rolled up blankets kept him even more secure.

Once I had my music going and plugged in the stroller speakers (yes, speakers in the stroller!), I started the map-my-run app and we were off! The first mile was slow. My peaking down to check on Hunter every 30 seconds probably didn’t help my time.

First off I noticed that my forearms were on fire from gripping the handlebar. Secondly, any little incline was much more noticeable. Pushing a stroller is tough, but not the hardest thing, just something to get used to. I actually think it’ll make me a stronger runner in general.

I stopped at each mile to drink some water a wipe off my sweat. Hunter was a champ and slept the first 40 minutes or so of the run, just waking at the end.

As I was running along the app announced my time, distance and pace.

I remember my first mile being around 13 minutes, which totally threw me off. I knew I’d be slower jogging with a stroller, but I definitely didn’t think I’d add that many minutes to my mile pace.

The second and third miles brought my pace around 11 minutes each. Getting better. By the fourth mile my pace was down to around a 10 minute mile.

My final stats:

4 miles
43 minutes

I wish the app broke out my mile splits because I didn’t really pay much attention to how long it took for each mile while I was running. If my first mile took 13 minutes, then really my final three miles would have been around 10 minutes each. Hmmmm I’m curious!

Is there an app out there that tracks mile splits?

When we got back to the jeep someone needed a diaper change. I let him hang out in the back for a little bit while I stretched.

All in all an awesome first run with the jogging stroller! I’m excited to have the freedom to run throughout the week now too. Before I was limited to the weekend when Jacob could watch Hunter, but now I can sneak it in more often.

Have you ever ran with a jogging stroller? What kind? And what temp starts to get too uncomfortable for you to run in?

The afternoon got close to (or above?) 90… definitely heat I wouldn’t want to run in!

Heather