1) Make sure your jogging stroller is in the trunk the night before, if your long run is in the morning. This seems simple enough, but I am a classic procrastinator. You think you'll remember in the morning but then you'll forget like I did where I got to a run early but ended up having to go all the way back home to get the stroller. Starting a long run while stressed isn't a good idea.
2) Coordinate your baby's feeding schedule. As you all know by now, I'm breastfeeding. To allow for the most running time as possible, I get to the run spots early and feed Patsy as close to the start as possible. Added plus if your child goes to sleep and you can put them in the stroller without waking them up. If your baby drinks a bottle, I'd suggest having one easily and readily available just in case. Although even with coordinating and things don't work out as imagined, I'm not above whipping out my boob to feed my baby while taking a walk break. A moms gotta do what a moms gotta do.
3) Bring toys, snacks, and a bib. If I remember the toys, I forget the snacks. If I remember snacks, I forget toys. I recommend carseat toys or a toy with a ring that you can attach to the stroller or buckle strap and it won't fall out while you're in motion. I also recommend snacks that are easy for your little one to hold (teething biscuits, mum-mums, carrot or celery sticks). Having to stop and give your baby a handful of fruit or puffs once a mile is not really an efficient run. Don't forget a bib to go with those snacks! Nothing like having a baby covered in food out on the trail, possibly attracting who knows what wildlife!
4) Pack an extra diaper and some wipes. I learned this the hard way with an incredibly fussy baby for an almost entire 8 mile run. I just couldn't figure out what was wrong! I fed her, I gave her snacks... Until I got to the car and checked her diaper. No wonder she was miserable during the workout. Now I always pack just one diaper and a few wipes in a ziplock bag. Just enough in case of emergency.
Showing up to the run late enough to miss the group photo |
2) Coordinate your baby's feeding schedule. As you all know by now, I'm breastfeeding. To allow for the most running time as possible, I get to the run spots early and feed Patsy as close to the start as possible. Added plus if your child goes to sleep and you can put them in the stroller without waking them up. If your baby drinks a bottle, I'd suggest having one easily and readily available just in case. Although even with coordinating and things don't work out as imagined, I'm not above whipping out my boob to feed my baby while taking a walk break. A moms gotta do what a moms gotta do.
3) Bring toys, snacks, and a bib. If I remember the toys, I forget the snacks. If I remember snacks, I forget toys. I recommend carseat toys or a toy with a ring that you can attach to the stroller or buckle strap and it won't fall out while you're in motion. I also recommend snacks that are easy for your little one to hold (teething biscuits, mum-mums, carrot or celery sticks). Having to stop and give your baby a handful of fruit or puffs once a mile is not really an efficient run. Don't forget a bib to go with those snacks! Nothing like having a baby covered in food out on the trail, possibly attracting who knows what wildlife!
4) Pack an extra diaper and some wipes. I learned this the hard way with an incredibly fussy baby for an almost entire 8 mile run. I just couldn't figure out what was wrong! I fed her, I gave her snacks... Until I got to the car and checked her diaper. No wonder she was miserable during the workout. Now I always pack just one diaper and a few wipes in a ziplock bag. Just enough in case of emergency.
5) Bring some tunes. Having a jogging stroller gives you lots of room to store your own gear. Who needs a fanny pack when you have an empty shelf/canopy. I love putting my iPhone/iPod on, without headphones, for Patsy and I to enjoy on the run. It makes the miles go by faster, I swear!
6) Plan your run on a nice, flat paved road or trail. If you're doing your long run with a jogging stroller, that is enough of a workout in my mind. I recommend finding a great local path or easy neighborhood route with few turns. I've done longer runs on a winding, hilly trail and it was just.... A lot. If that isn't something you're used to or something you're looking to do, do some research before you head out the door.
7) Slowly build up your distance with the stroller. Just as if you're training without a stroller, I started out with 3-4 mile runs and then did some 5 and 6 mile runs before building up to 8 mile runs. If you build it up slowly over a few weeks time, a 9 mile run with the stroller won't feel so daunting.
8) Have fun out there. Going for a long run isn't particularly fun sometimes but I find that sharing the experience with my baby girl makes it much more enjoyable. And it makes running without the stroller so much easier!
Do you take your jogging stroller on long runs? What kind of jogging stroller do you have? Are there any tips you would like to add or anything I forgot?