just got a jogging stroller - tips?

red glare wrote:

You have my genuine pity, I cannot imagine how empty your life must be.

The Animal Within wrote:

I can't run 14s any more so it's how I challenge myself once a year.

You're telling me. Marriage, pets then kids. Don't do it man.

You are jojo@live.com

Our kids love the Bob. We use a weather shield when it's cooler. I think our Bob recommendations are the baby should be six months, but you can prop up his or her head with towels if you want to go out a little earlier than that. I'm not comfortable with putting a baby into something like this until they have good strong neck support on their own.

Get the one that has wheels.

Lots of good tips here. Bundle them up and they will be fine, as long as they enjoy it. I have two kids (3.5 and 1.8 yo) and now a double Bob. The older kid doesn't like it much ("Dad, I want to run, too!") but the younger kid will just sit and chill as long as we're moving. When I had just one I would have to sing and keep up a conversation with him to keep him from jumping out. That's his personality. Playing peek-a-boo games through the transparent top is a tried-and-true game to keep them going. So is playing "Find an X (deer, bus, etc.)" type of game. We would usually go on 1-3 milers. With the new one I can go out on 7 milers. Sidewalks suck, so if we are in a residential neighborhood with scant traffic we will run on the side of the road facing traffic and move to the sidewalk if traffic picks up. Trails are very good.

It's still a good workout. Obviously it's different on your form so that's a downside, but you can still get the kids out of the house and get a workout in. Different kids are going to enjoy the stroller more or less. The kids like to say "faster, daddy!" so I suppose it wouldn't be a bad setup to do a fartlek workout in. Otherwise I would stick with short to medium runs.

One note -- the stroller you linked to has a fixed front wheel, which is fine. They sell a version that has a free front wheel, too, which is really annoying when you are running but very helpful if you have them in, say, a grocery store. If you have the free wheeling stroller, I recommend locking the front wheel when you run.

Oh, the stroller sucks in over 2" of snow, but you probably imagined that. It would work pretty well if you could fit the wheels with skis, though.

Stuff the seat side pockets with toys. We have lost a lot of toys on the trails around here. It's really hard to tell when they disappear if your kid doesn't say anything.

Thanks 'double bob' and all other serious responders. My son is not yet 8 months, so I don't think he'll be jumping out any time soon, but it's good to be mentally prepared for when that day comes.

make sure you enter your local 5K with it and line up at the front of the starting pack to be sure you get in everyone\'s way as much as possible.

Also, make sure you have a fuel belt, compression socks and an iPod.

oh, and take your dog with you as well.

OP, you got the best stroller on the market for a serious runner. Mine has over 10,000 miles on it, no joke. I think you'll be fine with the 7 month old, but I used the infant attachment from 5 months to 1 year just to be safe. My kids were big, too. I don't know, I just wanted to be safe and the infant attachment was like $15 at my local bike shop. Also makes it so much easier to let them continue to sleep once you get home. Gives you time to do abs and take a quick shower.

Weather shield is good but only if it is really cold. I live in the South so 30s are really about as low as it gets most of the time. If it were any colder I wouldn't take it out.

I have two kids (3 and 5). We have a regular SUV and a double SUV. I use both, but it is tough to run regular pace with the double. With the single, I still run a solid 6-6:30 pace.

With regard to traffic safety, remember that it takes longer to stop. Remember that it is jutting out in front of you by like 5 feet. I've caught myself coming to a stop at the end of a street and realizing that the end of the BOB was too close to the actual road. Just be careful. Never assume a driver sees you. In fact, run like you think they do not see you. This means sidewalks and no busy roads. My neighborhood is fine because it is a quiet, old neighborhood, but I'd avoid most in my city. I would never run with a Bob in an area like DC or NYC unless it was in a park/greenway.

Both of my kids love the rides and request to come along.

Thanks - I've never heard of the infant attachment (having bought the stroller used and not in a retail shop), so that's a great tip.

Here you go:

http://www.rei.com/product/814790/bob-infant-car-seat-adapter-fits-chicco-seats

It says $55 but I know that I did not pay that much. Maybe ask around; they are only used by people for like 3-6 months and then useless.

That being said, I kept ours attached to the BOB and it serves as an arm rest/safety bar for the 5 year old.

Please ignore all these people saying crazy things like you shouldn't go out in cold weather. I run with my 15 month old nearly every day and go out (no shield)unless it is pouring (I live in an area without terrible winters). Your child will be toasty in the Bob--mine is often so warm he falls asleep. I just heap on blankets, coats, hats, etc. when the temp falls. One thing I didn't see anyone mention is that you should always wear the wrist strap when running. The Bob can have a mind of its own, and, if you don't wear the strap, your kiddo could end up in traffic if you get distracted for even a second. I had a big baby and started him running at about five months without the attachment.

runs with the kid wrote:

Please ignore all these people saying crazy things like you shouldn't go out in cold weather. I run with my 15 month old nearly every day and go out (no shield)unless it is pouring (I live in an area without terrible winters). Your child will be toasty in the Bob--mine is often so warm he falls asleep. I just heap on blankets, coats, hats, etc. when the temp falls. One thing I didn't see anyone mention is that you should always wear the wrist strap when running. The Bob can have a mind of its own, and, if you don't wear the strap, your kiddo could end up in traffic if you get distracted for even a second. I had a big baby and started him running at about five months without the attachment.

Yes on the strap, no on the 5 months without attachment. You'll see the damage later in life.