Any tips for running with a stroller?

[kalrith]

I bought this bike trailer/jogging stroller and have used it a few times now (jogging, not biking). I've improved my form a lot, but I'm still looking for ways to improve it more. What I do now is run to the left of the stroller with my right hand on the handle. This allows me to not inhibit my stride or the swinging of my left arm; however, my right arm is stuck to the stroller. I'm going to try switching arms halfway through the run to see if that helps.

The only problem I have with the stroller itself is that it pulls to the left. I'm not sure why, but I'm going to contact the company and tinker with it a bit to fix this problem.

Does anyone have any tips for running with a stroller or thoughts on fixing the problem of the stroller pulling to the left?

 

[Murloc]

those things are extremely dangerous for the babies, if a car runs over it you're 100% sure they are dead.

 

[highland145]

those things are extremely dangerous for the babies, if a car runs over it you're 100% sure they are dead.

Pretty much the same for any stroller run over by a car, right?

 

[kalrith]

Pretty much the same for any stroller run over by a car, right?

Yeah, pretty much ^_^. I guess I should stop using a stroller in parking lots too, because if a car runs over it, then the result is very likely death. I'll start dropping my 1yo off at the door and asking him to wait for me while I park my car and walk through "the danger zone." 🙂

I'm using the jogging stroller on side streets around my house. They're nice and wide with hardly any cars parked on them. I run on the left side of the road so if someone's drunk and tries to hit us, I'll see them and we can go off the side of the road. Most people drive 20mph on them too.

I plan to do the same with the bike trailer. My town actually has a lot of nice paved bike trails, so we'll mostly ride on those. It's nice to not have to drive somewhere just to go running though.

 

[darkxshade]

Any tips for running with a stroller?

Yea, get one of those collapsable ones... leave the baby at home and run while lugging the collapsed stroller over your shouldes. 😛

 

[kalrith]

Does anyone have any real tips? If I wanted trolling, I would've posted this in ATOT. For clarification, I'm asking the following questions:

Does anyone have any tips for running with a stroller or thoughts on fixing the problem of the stroller pulling to the left?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I don't think it's a good idea man. Why not just do a brisk walk or something?

 

[Pantlegz]

I've seen strollers that people run with, I ahve no idea if they still pull to the left. I've never noticed my stoller pulling to the left when I've ran with them. Maybe apply a little more weight to the right? Otherwise I'm not going to be much help sorry.

 

[MJinZ]

Does anyone have any real tips? If I wanted trolling, I would've posted this in ATOT. For clarification, I'm asking the following questions:

I thought this was a joke. It isn't?

At the very least, you would look pretty damn ridiculous to other people on the road.

 

[RKS]

If it is a fixed front wheel then it shouldn't turn/pull at all. We have had a running stroller as well as a bike-wagon/stroller and the latter was a pain in the ass to use because it was too difficult to keep it in a straight line. It was a little different than the one pictured because it had a small front wheel that wasn't in a fixed position. I would think that you should be able to adjust the front wheel to make it stay straight.

 

[kalrith]

I've seen strollers that people run with, I ahve no idea if they still pull to the left. I've never noticed my stoller pulling to the left when I've ran with them. Maybe apply a little more weight to the right? Otherwise I'm not going to be much help sorry.

Thanks for the comments. AFAIK the nice $300+ strollers track very straight. Mine was $110 off ebay and acts as both a bike trailer and jogging stroller. I guess I shouldn't expect the same performance as a much more expensive and dedicated jogging stroller.

I wasn't sure if anyone on here would have any advice, but I at least thought I wouldn't attract haters by posting in H&F. I appreciate your attempt at helping though.

I don't think it's a good idea man. Why not just do a brisk walk or something?

I'm not sure why it wouldn't be a good idea. I'm not going to all-out run, but just a slow jog (~6mph), so I'm always well within my comfort zone. I could see there being problems if I were exhausted or running too fast, so I stay away from those extremes.

He's strapped into the stroller, and I've got my hand on the handle and the brake at all times. I make sure to ride the brakes down the hills to keep the speed down. I also run into traffic so that I can see the traffic and go off the side of the road if necessary. I only run on side streets. I also have a 3' safety strap attached to my wrist, so if I were to fall down or let go of the handle, the stroller would stop.

I thought this was a joke. It isn't?

At the very least, you would look pretty damn ridiculous to other people on the road.

It's not a joke. You'd be surprised at how many people run with strollers. Many races even allow people with strollers. There's a guy on a running forum who's done a sub-19 5k and sub-40 10k while pushing his kid in a stroller. For 3-4 years, that guy did 30+ miles every week, and all of them were while pushing the stroller. Some races even have a stroller division with separate awards for that division.

I learned a long time ago to not limit myself to doing things that people approve of. I made a lot of mistakes by doing what people wanted or expected (or at the very least wouldn't ridicule), and I won't go down that path again.

Please note that this is different than totally not caring about what other people think and being obnoxious, crude, etc. as I try to be very respectful of others. It's about not living my life to meet other's expectations and approval.

 

[MJinZ]

Thanks for the comments. AFAIK the nice $300+ strollers track very straight. Mine was $110 off ebay and acts as both a bike trailer and jogging stroller. I guess I shouldn't expect the same performance as a much more expensive and dedicated jogging stroller.

I wasn't sure if anyone on here would have any advice, but I at least thought I wouldn't attract haters by posting in H&F. I appreciate your attempt at helping though.



I'm not sure why it wouldn't be a good idea. I'm not going to all-out run, but just a slow jog (~6mph), so I'm always well within my comfort zone. I could see there being problems if I were exhausted or running too fast, so I stay away from those extremes.

He's strapped into the stroller, and I've got my hand on the handle and the brake at all times. I make sure to ride the brakes down the hills to keep the speed down. I also run into traffic so that I can see the traffic and go off the side of the road if necessary. I only run on side streets. I also have a 3' safety strap attached to my wrist, so if I were to fall down or let go of the handle, the stroller would stop.



It's not a joke. You'd be surprised at how many people run with strollers. Many races even allow people with strollers. There's a guy on a running forum who's done a sub-19 5k and sub-40 10k while pushing his kid in a stroller. For 3-4 years, that guy did 30+ miles every week, and all of them were while pushing the stroller. Some races even have a stroller division with separate awards for that division.

I learned a long time ago to not limit myself to doing things that people approve of. I made a lot of mistakes by doing what people wanted or expected (or at the very least wouldn't ridicule), and I won't go down that path again.

Please note that this is different than totally not caring about what other people think and being obnoxious, crude, etc. as I try to be very respectful of others. It's about not living my life to meet other's expectations and approval.

But don't you think it is unnecessarily putting the baby in more danger than it should be in?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

But don't you think it is unnecessarily putting the baby in more danger than it should be in?

Lmao, are you paranoid when it comes to kids? Going for a walk with a stroller and going for a jog with a jogging stroller have equal risks. It gets the kid outside in the air, allows him/her to check out the scenery or take a nap, and allows the parent to be responsible by not leaving the child at home. There are literally hundreds of people who do this in my town. We have never had a baby accident. You are way, way too cautious for your own good.

 

[kalrith]

If it is a fixed front wheel then it shouldn't turn/pull at all. We have had a running stroller as well as a bike-wagon/stroller and the latter was a pain in the ass to use because it was too difficult to keep it in a straight line. It was a little different than the one pictured because it had a small front wheel that wasn't in a fixed position. I would think that you should be able to adjust the front wheel to make it stay straight.

It is a fixed front wheel. That was one of my requirements for a jogging stroller, because a swivel wheel is not only a pain but also dangerous (the stroller can make a sudden turn and flip over). I think the source of the problem is that there's a little wiggle room for all 3 wheels. The wheels aren't tight in place but can move side to side on the hub by probably 1/8".

The wheel is also removable (it has to be removed when used as a bike trailer), and it's possible that the attachment is bent, off, or something like that. I'll have to mess around with it without the kid in there, but I'm going to contact the company first. They might have seen this issue before, and I don't want to do anything to void the warranty.

It doesn't pull really badly, but it's bad enough that I have to apply some constant lateral pressure to keep the stroller going straight. I've also heard of people running behind their strollers and just giving them a push from time to time rather than holding the handle at all times (this requires a safety strap and flat road). I was hoping to try this, but my stroller just wants to run off the side of the road.

 

[kalrith]

But don't you think it is unnecessarily putting the baby in more danger than it should be in?

Actually driving is a much, much higher risk for the baby, so if my baby's going to die on the road, it's going to be while he's inside the car. I don't feel like looking it up, but up until a certain age (around 18-22), more kids die from auto accidents than any other cause.

Every time I take an "unnecessary" trip to the park, mall, restaurant, etc. I'm putting my child in much more danger than when I go running with him. This might be different if I were running on the side of a 40mph 4-lane road, but I'm running on 25mph side streets on which most people go under the speed limit.

And my son absolutely loves going for runs! He just loves being outside. I've read about all the things parents have to do to get their kids to make it through the run (toys, singing, stopping to pick flowers, etc.). My son just stares at the scenery. He doesn't make a peep unless we get back too soon, and then he cries because it's over.

We've only been on a couple walks and a couple jogs. Last night was the longest at 2.5 miles. He was as content at the end as he was at the start. I ask him if he wants to go for a walk, and he excitedly goes to the door (much like a little puppy...lol).

I imagine he'll like biking as much or more. We're going to tackle that one for the first time this weekend.

 

[MJinZ]

Lmao, are you paranoid when it comes to kids? Going for a walk with a stroller and going for a jog with a jogging stroller have equal risks. It gets the kid outside in the air, allows him/her to check out the scenery or take a nap, and allows the parent to be responsible by not leaving the child at home. There are literally hundreds of people who do this in my town. We have never had a baby accident. You are way, way too cautious for your own good.

I'm fine with walking a stroller. Or strolling one.

I don't know if I would ever run around with one.

 

[MJinZ]

Actually driving is a much, much higher risk for the baby, so if my baby's going to die on the road, it's going to be while he's inside the car. I don't feel like looking it up, but up until a certain age (around 18-22), more kids die from auto accidents than any other cause.

Every time I take an "unnecessary" trip to the park, mall, restaurant, etc. I'm putting my child in much more danger than when I go running with him. This might be different if I were running on the side of a 40mph 4-lane road, but I'm running on 25mph side streets on which most people go under the speed limit.

And my son absolutely loves going for runs! He just loves being outside. I've read about all the things parents have to do to get their kids to make it through the run (toys, singing, stopping to pick flowers, etc.). My son just stares at the scenery. He doesn't make a peep unless we get back too soon, and then he cries because it's over.

We've only been on a couple walks and a couple jogs. Last night was the longest at 2.5 miles. He was as content at the end as he was at the start. I ask him if he wants to go for a walk, and he excitedly goes to the door (much like a little puppy...lol).

I imagine he'll like biking as much or more. We're going to tackle that one for the first time this weekend.

Yes, I suppose I am just envisioning incompetent parents shoving their child into oncoming traffic.

 

[kalrith]

I'm fine with walking a stroller. Or strolling one.

I don't know if I would ever run around with one.

So, you're saying that you're not fine with jogging a jogging stroller? Just wanted to make sure 🙂

 

[kalrith]

Yes, I suppose I am just envisioning incompetent parents shoving their child into oncoming traffic.

I'm not saying there aren't potential risks, especially if a parent is incompetent and negligent and doesn't realize what those risks are and how to avoid them.

Most of the risks are abated by always having a hand on the brake and always wearing the wrist strap. I can't push my kid into traffic without following along 😛

 

[Capt Caveman]

I thought this was a joke. It isn't?

At the very least, you would look pretty damn ridiculous to other people on the road.

Trolling much? Or you need to get out more often. Never heard of baby jogger or seen this:

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'm not saying there aren't potential risks, especially if a parent is incompetent and negligent and doesn't realize what those risks are and how to avoid them.

Most of the risks are abated by always having a hand on the brake and always wearing the wrist strap. I can't push my kid into traffic without following along 😛

Dude, ignore the trolls. The only safety issue I would worry about would be your kid getting too much sun exposure. He'll have a blast and you'll get your workout in.

 

[kalrith]

Dude, ignore the trolls. The only safety issue I would worry about would be your kid getting too much sun exposure. He'll have a blast and you'll your workout in.

Yeah, the sun exposure is definitely a concern, but most of the running will be 5:30 PM or later, which shouldn't be too risky. If it's a long run or during the day, then he always wears sunscreen. He wears a hat regardless, and the stroller cover provides a lot of shade too. I might look into getting a sun canopy as well. They come with some jogging strollers, but I haven't seen any for bike trailers with a jogging wheel.

I get my workout in. My son gets to have some fun. We get to spend some time together. And my wife gets time to cook dinner. It seems like a win-win situation to me. Another thought is that I want my son to grow up not only seeing but participating in his parents' exercising. Obese parents are good at passing that on to their kids; I'd like to be just as good at passing nutritious eating and exercising on to my son.

 

[MJinZ]

Trolling much? Or you need to get out more often. Never heard of baby jogger or seen this:

Nope, never seen one before.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

But don't you think it is unnecessarily putting the baby in more danger than it should be in?

This just in. Breathing air has been linked to sudden deaths in children. Film at eleven.

 

[edcarman]

Does anyone have any tips for running with a stroller or thoughts on fixing the problem of the stroller pulling to the left?

The left-pulling thing may not be due to alignment problems on the bracket. It could be that the bearing on the left wheel is does not run as smoothly as the right. Check that both wheels spin freely.