Mommy Fit...Running with Kids

Alright...it's been longer than I planned before posting another Mommy Fit tip.

Here's what I've found helpful in getting into a routine running with my kids in a stroller. Like I've said before--this is the best form of exercise for me because it doesn't require a gym membership or childcare. It sets a good example for my children and they get fresh air too.

1. Find a local area you can walk/jog with your kids. We have a lake about 10min away from our house. It has a paved path and is 10k (6 miles) total. There is another 4-mile paved road near us with one side dedicated to pedestrians.

We don't live in a super safe area, and it's really hilly with no sidewalks, so going out from the house is not really an option. If I didn't have the lake to go to, I'd probably find a neighborhood I could run in safely with my kids. Sites like http://www.mapmyrun.com/ can help you figure out the distance of your route if you don't already know.

2. Invest in a good jogging stroller! If you are going to be out with the kids more than a few times a week, this is essential. As the kids grow and get heavier, the larger tires make pushing the stroller so much easier. There is a huge spread in price for jogging strollers. At http://www.joggingstroller.com/ you can compare stroller features. However, Craigslist is my favorite place for purchases like this.

First you need to figure out what kind of stroller you want. Then watch Craigslist like a hawk! When I was pregnant with my second child, I knew a double jogger was going to be a must for me. I read tons of reviews, stopped people who were pushing double joggers to question them and finally decided the Bob Revolution Duallie was for me. It has a pretty hefty price tag though. It took me a few months of watching Craigslist, but one finally came up and I got to her in time and the stroller was mine. It was practically brand new (they were moving and downgrading to a single) and I saved a few hundred dollars buying it used. I bought a carseat adapter on ebay for the stroller so that I could snap the infant seat in before my daughter was able to sit on her own in the seat (and it provided a drink holder for my preschooler). REI often has last year's joggers in their online outlet store.

3. Timing is Everything. Choose a good time for your kids to take your run. For the past 8 months or so, our time is the late afternoon right after the girls wake from their naps. (or after I get off work) When Gracie was younger, it was easier to run during her naptime because she would fall asleep in the jogger. She doesn't sleep in it anymore. Sometimes we go first thing in the morning after breakfast and get home in time for Gracie's morning nap.

4. Must have snacks. It can be hard for a child to sit in a stroller for 45-minutes. Even though there is lots to look at, I can understand it gets boring. I always have a snack and a drink for the girls. They usually start with the snack. Then after 15-20minutes the snack is gone and they get their drinks. It really helps break up the monotony. Even before Gracie took a sippy, I'd bring a bottle with 1oz of juice and 2oz of water that I'd give to her about halfway through the run.

5. Nature's Toys. Miss Rose loves holding a stick in the jogger. Our previous jogger had a tray--and I'd give her a trayful of rocks and a stick, and she was a happy camper. Sometimes I'll give her a longer stick and she'll try to touch the bushes along the path with the stick.

6. Other toys and pastimes. We have some small toys and books with loops or clips on them that I buckle into Gracie's harness. That way she can't drop them--but if she gets bored they are there for her. If I'm going on a longer run, I might load my ipod with songs for Miss Rose and she'll listen to it. (I usually only use it on solo runs). I've seen some preschool age kids with a small bag of books they take in the stroller with them. Miss Rose would definately drop them, so we haven't tried that.

7. Special Treats. There certainly are days that Miss Rose protests our run. But, it's not really an option for her to determine that we don't go. When we have the time or when she needs the incentive, we will visit the frozen yogurt shop after the run, or the drive-thru Starbucks that is so conviently located at the lake entrance. (I'm always tempted to blow all those burned calories on some sort of sugary goodness...but an unsweetened passion iced tea tastes better after a hot run). We don't make this a regular thing as I want Miss Rose to have good behavior whether she gets a treat or not...but it does help at times.

8. Consistency. We didn't start doing longer walks and then runs until after Miss Rose was 1 year old. There were definately stretches of time that she was unhappy to be in the stroller. But we just committed to be consistent so that she understood this was a part of life and good behavior was expected. Sometimese we'd just let her cry it out in the stroller. Most times, it didn't last long. Gracie has been out on runs since she was 4wks old and she's very used to it and I rarely have issue with her. Stay consistent--even if it's just once a week, and the kiddos will get used to it.

It's definately a different animal figuring out an exercise routine with kids involved. Miss Rose always wants to have these long conversations as I'm huffing and puffing and at times I have to tell her "I can't talk now. Wait until Mama is done running."

But if you commit to it and stay consistent, you will find little tricks that make it managable for you and your children and find it very satisfying and rewarding. There is nothing that makes me feel stronger than finishing a good sweaty run with my double stroller and letting Miss Rose out to run with me at the end.

I can't wait until she is old enough to do a race with me! Sometime I want to have her do one of those 1k kid runs.

So get out there. Hit the pavement. You can do it!