Learning to Run with Stroller

Learning to Run with a Stroller
Especially if you are coming back from a recent pregnancy and childbirth experience, a jogging stroller can wreck havoc on your running form and cause unnecessary injuries at a time when that is the last thing you need to deal with.

1) Find the correct handle height and keep it close to you. Especially when you're coming off a pregnancy and your core may not be as strong as usual, you may find you have the tendency, when running with a stroller, to hold the stroller at arms length and put some of your weight onto the handlebar. This causes you to bend forward at the hips, which is a big no-no for your form. Keep your elbows bent, and the stroller closer to your body. Run a mental check every mile or so, while you're getting used to it, to make sure you're still running in an upright position.

2) Toes forward. When running up hills with the stroller, look down and make sure that you are running with your toes forward like you normally would. When you feel like you are pushing the weight of the stroller and child up a hill, you may find yourself pointing your toes out to allow push-off from the inside of your foot, as if you were rollerskating up a hill. You're already putting a lot of stress on your body with the extra weight you're pushing; be nicer to yourself by keeping your feet pushing off properly and don't be afraid to take the hill as easy as you need to. Accept that you'll get better at this and that you will always be slower with the stroller than without.

3) Ease into it. Yes, running with a stroller is more difficult that running without one. Take it easy, leave the stroller at home every other day, or alternate running and walking days. Your body will appreciate it and reward you with a smoother path back to form.

You're not the only one who will have to get used to this setup. Your child will also have some things to get used to. The following are some tips from Jennifer and Michael Wardian that they use when taking their boys, Pierce and Grant, on long runs.

1) Bring along snacks. Things like crackers, gummies or bananas, things that are easy to give them and you aren't worried about them choking on.

2) Bring water. Three sippy cups work well (for a double stroller, just two for a single), one for each kid and an extra, in case someone runs out.

3) Bring toys. A couple toys for each kid works well, plus a couple extras so that, in case they want what the other has, you can regulate.

4) Have a specific goal and relay that to the kids so that they know. You can tell them that you're doing an out-and-back or a loop, or describe the turn-around point to look for. Have some idea of where you are in the run so you can tell them how much longer (because they will ask).

5) If they want to stop along the way, tell them we can do that on the way back and then work it into the run. It is nice to stop and let them play, too. While they play, you can do jumping jacks or push-ups or just play with them; it's a great way to work on general strength and balancing muscles.