Pregnant? Do you think you have to hang up the running shoes just because you have a baby on the way? Maybe you would like to take up running, but feel as though you have no time with the little screaming. Running a race is way out of the question right? WRONG! Whether you are a first-time parent or have children that are 4-6 years old, running can still be a major part of your life. In this week’s post, we spoke with some parents that not only run with their little one in a jogger stroller…… they compete in race events with their little ones. 

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Let me start off by letting you know that for years if someone passed me running with a stroller, that it would bum me out. I mean really, I feel like I’m an athlete and have been training with nothing to weigh me down. How is this possible that someone is pushing a 30lbs child with a sippy cup, a diaper bag, and 5lbs worth of keys passing me with a smile on their face? Please don’t get me started on the double-wide strollers. With all that said, I’ve since learned to run my own race and never compare myself to someone else's journey. 

The purpose of this post is to inspire parents to enjoy running with your children right in front of you. Running is a great exercise for all. You cannot bring your children to the gym to sling weights around. Some gyms have child care, but some parents just don’t feel comfortable with leaving their children there. Now with so many gyms being closed due to Covid-19, what do we do? That’s right, run with them. You may even be thinking; “Workout time is my time!” Although this may be true, some parents find it hard to get that time to themselves. In this case, what do you do? Strap the baby or babies in and let them take a ride while you put in work. Let’s be honest here, you both need to get out of the house. Running with your child will bring you happy endorphins, while the child may fall asleep with your smooth running style.

Want To Spice Things Up?

Sign up for a 5k event! Many think that they already have a hard time running on their own let alone with a stroller! Are you nuts? No. In fact, for our baby shower, I asked for a jogging stroller. As a father, if I thought I was going to sneak out of the house for a run and leave mom alone with the baby again, I would be in trouble. So with the jogger, I would strap our 2-year-old in with his sippy cup and cheerios in the opposite cup holder and go. My boy loved eating honey nut cheerios as dad motored along. We even had a plastic weather guard to protect him from light rain. My point is as I was getting back into running, these are the things that I needed to do in practice. For me, I was fortunate enough that mom would always have our son so that I can run the 5k stroller free. 

If mom wasn’t there for the 5k’s perhaps I would have been the guy passing people with the stroller. Yes, my son may have thrown his sippy cup at a person or two as well. Thanks, Nicky for always allowing me to run. I got a chance to ask some people that run 5k’s with their children their thoughts. I want to share their thoughts with you right now. 

The Question:

Do You Race With A Stroller? 

Does Anyone Feel Bad When Getting Passed By A Double Wide Stroller?

Eric: My friend Matt pushes his daughter in a stroller.

Kara: I’ve done a few parks runs with a pram and a few times a double pram ✔️ brutal and hard work

Michael J: Frequently. However, I'm almost always disqualified for using it in the downhill sections 😂😂

Michael E: I'm always amazed when they blow past me

Daniel: I train almost completely with the single stroller and prior to all this COVID mess, ran once a week pushing the double.

Ashley Pickens: Wonder Woman Jennifer Ballance pushes her two youngest children in a double stroller. She also trained for the New York Marathon last year while her husband was deployed. She took care of her 4 kids and maintained a full time and part-time job. She crushed the Marathon in under 5 hours.  She would be perfect for the podcast.

Catherine: No, but if there is a guy in front of me that is younger, it motivates me to go faster to pass him.

Stina Ross: I love racing with my stroller!

Chris Double-u: I mostly run pushing a double stroller and usually race with it.  I am the "mother" that passes all with the stroller.

Jennah: Don't feel bad! You are still out there rocking your own  stroller

Mark Pemberton: Got my butt handed to me by a dude with two kids in a stroller in my last 5k. Kids were darn near old enough to run themselves 😒  (My response: Mark Pemberton 😂😂😂😂 dude this is what I'm talking about! Keeping It Real! The kids were like "Get Em Dad!!" Shooting Apple juice from their sippy cups at you 😂😂)

Hallie Shields: My favorite racing photo with my kids.

Prior to them getting heavier we were a pretty fast trio! ❤

Tim: Finished 3rd in a big 5k pushing my 4-year-old last year.  Super fun passing people. Lots of people giving you mean looks when you’re racing and passing them. It’s a tad bit dangerous if they don’t listen when you scream “on your left.”  Now, I just give my daughter a cowbell and they tend to moooooove 😂😂😂 (dad jokes rule)

Meagan: I have raced with a stroller, I actually prefer it- somewhere to keep all my stuff!

Rob: I'm not a mother, but I used to jog with my son in a stroller and did a few races with him too.

Charlie: Back when I ran a 24-25 minute 5k time, this lady pushing a stroller started out ahead of me and after every turn, she was further and further ahead when I came to the turn. All I can say is "much respect!"

Lynley: I'm hoping to take my grandbaby out for a run when she gets a bit bigger (She posted a picture…..so cute)

Julio: I'm slow enough without a stroller, so no.  I got passed by a lady who ultimately set a record with a stroller.

Tommy: I would be happy to see them! I’m happy when anyone gets out and starts moving! I say starting 20 to 30 mins each day will change your life! If I get passed, I would have to re-evaluate my training, because they would be kicking butt. 

Coach Thoughts: This comment is so true about re-evaluating your own training. If you are upset that a stroller runner passed you. I just came from the track that day working on speed when I saw his comment. So it was perfect. If I’m truly upset that a stroller mom or dad passed me, what am I going to do about it?)

Lora Lyn: Why should anyone feel bad, every runner has their own story. I do think it’s amazing to see moms and dads out there with their kids!

Coach Thoughts: Lora Lyn I think it's awesome too. When you are competitive and been training and you feel like you may place in your age group you feel so good. And all of a sudden that stroller person passes you it plays with your mind. That's why over time we need to develop mental tricks to avoid negative thinking. 

So instead of feeling defeated when that stroller passes you, say "Get It Mom" feel good about their accomplishment. 

We never should compare ourselves to someone else, but it's natural at times in competition. 

We also can learn from these experiences...... 

Another example is when an older person passes you with two knee braces and a hobble to their running gate and you feel like an iron man but you have no gas left at the end. This teaches you that the older person has the experience and knows not to go flying out of the gate if you are not conditioned to do so. They will get you every time! 

As runners we all have room for improvement especially in the mental game! 

Darlene: Every woman with a stroller of kids that passes me, I think "You go, girl!"

Mimi: It’s hard enough for me to run alone let alone with a stroller. We need to do what we think is best for us and not compare ourselves to others. I’m in awe of those who run with strollers, but I’m just happy when I get myself out there! Love encouraging moms to get out and take some time for themselves! Sam commented on this by saying: I am with you on this. I struggle alone without a stroller and my kid hates being in it. To keep her happy and have a successful run, I just leave her with my husband or run on her naps. 

Jessica Plummer: I haven’t run a single race without my kids! Right down to 3 half marathons with them! They love it!!! I also didn’t start running until after I had both of my kiddos!

Derek: When my kids were little, the jogging stroller was the sleep mobile when they would fight taking a nap, it was magical. 

Kristen: I’ve done it with a single and double. I won the best costume for this one. Very embarrassing when we pass people and my daughter yells “my mom is running faster than you.” We had to have a talk after that one. I hate that people expect that strollers start in the back. It’s more dangerous for me to try to race around you then run with my pace group.  

Coach Thoughts: Kristen Vickers I love this. And I never thought about that. Perhaps if you talk to the race director ahead of time they should not have a problem with it. That makes total sense and it's all about safety.

Eleonora: I've been passed by strollers as well as amputees. I almost got run over by one of our paralympic champions while at work too (he was testing the new racing chair and I was in the way), sincerely I don't care who passes me. I'm no pro, I run and race for the experience. That's it. If someone is faster than me, well, that just means I have to train harder!

Melissa: A recent 5K I ran was won by a guy pushing his daughter in the stroller. He ran a sub-20 minute 5k. 😱

Danielle: I run almost every run with my little guy. I have since he was 4 months old. It is the best workout you’ll ever get. I am in the best shape of my life, 8 months postpartum.

Mel Couture: Yes ❤ we train and we race together when permitted. That was yesterday. And yes, I often hear people cursing when (if) I pass them 😂 (Nicole added: I have the pleasure of calling this bad mamma, my friend! And she did a 10k up a mountain with a double stroller! I am constantly in awe of her superpowers! 😍)

Kyla Skinner:

I have raced/run many, many miles with a jogger. Both single and then double. I finally hung it up after 9 years. My kids got too big and now ride their bikes. After my first, I joined a Facebook running group for moms who were runners or were interested in running. I stalked it for weeks before I got up the courage to go. 

That group saved me. I made so many lifelong friends. 

Running was the easiest form of exercise after having my babies. I personally didn’t feel comfortable leaving them in the gym child care and it gave us both a chance to get outside for fresh air. I recommend investing in a good jogger-I always used BOB-my first BOB  

I found used in the marketplace. Having a good jogger is like running in the right shoes, you’re more likely to stick with it when you have good gear. I didn’t at first and went with a couple cheap ones and wished I had just put that money towards a Bob. I struggled with PPD after my first as well, which I didn’t realize until after the fact of how depressed I was. Running helped! I recommend a couch to 5k Zen app if just starting out, find a park with a good trail and a playground so the kids can play after, pack a lunch and make an afternoon of it. After this COVID is over, try to find a group. Good luck with your podcast. My group was a group for military spouses. They have a website with a blog and a Facebook page if you want to check it out for ideas. Stroller Warriors Running Club.”

Coach Thoughts: Thank you so much for that comment Kyla, so many great points! Thanks to everyone that added to this conversations. Love the picture shares as well. We love them very much and it is our hope that with this article will inspire parents around the world!

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