It's about time I announced that my wife and I are expecting our first child. The baby is due September 10...yeah, really close. Of course, being a runner, it occurred to me that a baby will provide a real challenge in finding time to run, but it will also provide a lot of opportunities for creative thinking. Soon I'll be balancing sleepless nights with the need to get a short run in just to clear my head and wake me up.
I started looking around at jogging strollers and, like everything else baby-related, there are a million options that range from so-cheap-it-won't-possibly-work to why-would-anyone-pay-this-much. That means a lot of research and a lot of time I don't want to spend right now. I have been looking at yard sales. Along the way, I've developed some bizarre theories. I won't buy one from someone who doesn't seem to be a runner, which I determine by what they are selling and, more importantly, what's in their garage.
If anyone has any ideas or advice about jogging strollers, I'd love to hear it. Any recommendations for strollers. Also, how soon can I put a kid in a jogging stroller?
14 comments:
Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you and your wife. If you need advice, I would check out Jeff's blog at http://www.breakingthetape.com/blog/
I just had my first baby on July 14th (only four weeks old!), and my husband and I had used our REI annual rebate (which was sizeable this past year) to purchase the BOB Revolution jogging stroller. We've loved it so far! Pros: sturdy tires, good suspension for off-roading, very stable, solid piece of equipment. Cons: Somewhat expensive (but worth it) and bulky when folded up, so it takes up a lot of trunk space. For infants, you have to purchase the infant seat adapter to go with it and make sure your infant car seat is compatible with it (both the Graco Snug Ride and the Safe Seat are).
Congratulations, and good luck!
Congrats! You'll still find time to run here and there you'll just be tired before you get started.
Congrats! My friend had a baby back in March and was already running with the stroller by June. And he still has time to run everyday. Good luck!
Wow. Congrats!! It does change everything, but you will still make time to run if it is important. I have two little guys and both loved the jogger. My advice, check out reviews at Amazon, don't be afraid to spend if it works well ( a little like shoes, you will hate it if it doesn't work right and wish you had spent more ). Also, if you buy at a garage sale, take it for a spin around the block. You will know immediately if it pulls or acts weird. Too bad you can't come to my garage sale.... :)
I am so happy to hear your news! Trust me, you will find time to run. My little boy will be 2 years old this September. I would say wait until they are at least 12 weeks old before you take them out in a jogging stroller. It's really more about the weather than the stroller itself. Ask your pediatrician as well, he/she will give you a straight answer.
Congrats!
-Cassie
Congrats! We became parents a year ago and after quite a bit of research I ended up getting the Bob Ironman. I'd recommend going to a store with a good selection and trying several models. In my opinion it's very important to get one that fits the runner's height.
I decided to go with the Ironman because other than good build quality, it's very light-weight and the narrow 16" wheels rolls very easily. I thought the Revolution was more of a walking stroller as the wheels are thicker and the smaller front wheel doesn't roll as easily as the Ironman one.
Sten
Wow! Thanks to everyone for their kind words and great advice. I feel much further along in the decision process now.
Hi Sean,
Congratulations and all the best from Luxembourg. I often come to your blog because reading your stories motivates me somehow to get on with daily runs. At this time last year, we were also expecting a baby. Meanwhile the baby has turned into a crawling nightmare :-) and has her own blog here www.kate-tom.com
Now here might be the stroller spoiler: Some of the people I asked about jogging strollers did not recommend using one too early because it would expose the child to some sort of draft.
But then I don't really know because I don't own one.
All the best.
Tom
Congratulations. Get a baby sitter instead while you run - it's much cheaper and safer that way.
Oh my gosh! Congratulations!!! As far as strollers go, maybe post the question to the Runner's World or Cool Running forums? I bet you will get a ton of replies. (Or search to find recommendations there.)
Hey, congrats Sean,
I have a Baby Jogger and a Baby Jogger Twinner. Both have 20-inch wheels, which offer great shock absorption. The Baby Jogger 3 has 24-inch wheels, but that seems a bit excessive.
Anyway, the investment is well worth it. My kids love it and they get to see so many things at such a young age. I found it to be the perfect way to bond with my kids.
I set the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while pushing a baby in a stroller in 2004 (2:49) with the Baby Jogger, so it works!
Michal
Congrats, the stroller is awesome, I had my little man in one I think around 2 to 3 months old, just strap them in really well. But having a child really does disrupt your running to begin with but if you have an understanding and helpful significate other you'll do fine. Good luck w/ everything!
I used to cycle long distance before we had a child (11 months ago). I have hardly found time to cycle as it tends to take so much time, but I've started running instead.
I run with my son in his pram. We live in Sweden and here people tand to have prams that remid you of a 4-wheel drive vehicle as we have to deal with snow in the winter. However our Brio pram is light to steer even though it's a 4-wheeler and it has fantastic suspnsion which makes it easy for both baby and I when running.
I started running with my son when he was around 6-7 months. Old enough to sit up by himself and not just lie in the pram.
We are running our first 7.5km race together this week :-)
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