W9 R1 - anyone else running with a stroller?

[swedishtrucker]

First and foremost - sorry if my grammar or spelling is off, i’m from Sweden haha!

Now, to my question. I’ve managed to get to week nine without any actual problems thus far, but I’ve been really curious about if anyone else in here is running with a stroller, and in that case if you’ve got any tips and tricks?

I’m currently on maternity leave with my 8 month old son and I’ve started running at least 3 times a week, when it’s time for him to take a nap in the morning. So far it’s been going quite well, obviously, since I’ve managed this after a pregnancy and absolutely haaaating running since i was a kid. But... now it started snowing, and although I’ve got myself a pair of nice Ice Bugs i’m still quite scared of slipping, falling, tipping the baby (!) or something like that. I live in the country side so i basically only run on dirt roads, which in this case is good ’cause of traction and stuff i guess.

But, i’m still a bit scared now that it both snows and the ground has frozen. Any tips and tricks?

Wish you all the best and a nice holiday season! Greetings from Sweden.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Greetings Swedishtrucker. My answer to your question is no . But at parkrun there are quite a few runners with pushchairs and I think the thing you need is locking wheels. As for running on snow, SaskAlliecat is the person in the know as she lives in Canada. She will be able to recommend appropriate footwear .

[swedishtrucker Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks! Yeah i have locked wheels already but it still feels a bit strange in the snow. Maybe i’ll go for a real running stroller some day, i think that’ll be better in the long run (haha...).

[SkiMonday Graduate]

Hi SwedishTrucker. Just wanted to say "well done" for getting out there running and best wishes for the future. C3PO over on the "Marathon Running and Race Support" site runs in Norway and may be able to help with your question.

[swedishtrucker Graduate in reply to SkiMonday]

Thank you so much! I’ll try that, thanks again

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Welcome swedishtrucker and congratulations on making it to week 9! You’re doing great! I have no stroller advice but can tell you what I use when I run in snowy conditions (I’m in the prairies in Canada and love my winter running!)

I have 2 different types of ice cleats that slip over my trail shoes I use depending on how much snow/ice there is. If there are bare patches of road, I’ll use just a cheap pair of cleats I got from Costco that have little metals spikes on them. They are fairly comfortable for running even on clear roads (and last week I even ran some hard fast intervals in them) but can slip off especially running in deeper snow. If there is packed snow, I have some yaktrax ice cleats that I’ll use. The ones I have have the metal spikes on the ball of the foot but the heal has coils instead. They get wrecked if I run on bare roads but I like them for packed snow. They have a strap that also goes over top of the shoe so I have never lost one. Decker recently posted about a different brand called Korkers in the Marathon and Race Support Forum. Those also have metal spikes and look to be really good. I’ll be looking into them for my next pair.

How do you like your Ice bugs? I can’t get those locally but was very interested in them when I started running. I’m just using regular trail shoes but I would consider something like the Ice bugs if I came across them where I live.

[swedishtrucker Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I’ve thought about cleats and i tried some on in the shops the other day but i really didnt like how they felt on the feet, and i did fear that they would slip off in the snow when running. So cool running in the snow in Canada, wow! I’m jealous haha. Any advice for dressing? I bought myself a pair of Adidas ”Cold Ready” running leggings which i really, really like for these +/-5 conditions we have now, but i think i’ll go for a pair of cross country skiing leggings if or when it gets colder. What do you use and how cold is it over there?

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to swedishtrucker]

When it is right around freezing, I have some ColdGear tights I wear, plus a Craft quilted skirt that helps keep my bum and thighs warmer. Anything below -4 I have Craft winter running trousers that have a windproof front on them. I have different weight long underwear I'll wear under them depending on the temperature - activewear ones for -10 or so, merino ones for colder (and I will wear my skirt over it as well - it is quite the look 😂). I have an amazing Arcteryx winter lightweight breathable jacket that is so lightweight but warm. I then wear differing weight long sleeve shirt underneath it. I have a thin Salomon beanie I wear on my head and a lightweight buff to protect my face. I have 2 different weight gloves - a really thin pair for -4 and above, a thicker neoprene and fleece pair for cold runs. Ideally you will be cool/cold when you start your run, but warm up within the first few minutes of running. I find my hands take longer but it is better than having them too warm and wanting to remove my gloves during these cold runs. I really like the -10 or so degree runs, but have ran as cold as -24 before windchill. It is -18 right now and not really supposed to warm up today, so it will be a cold run for me today - likely too cold to take a little one out in a stroller 😬. Fortunately my kiddo is a teenager now so I'm solo running. I never did master running with a stroller. My husband would come with me and push it but I didn't run then like I do now.

[swedishtrucker Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

And also, i’m gonna try my IceBugs out for the first time today! Very excited about them.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to swedishtrucker]

I can't wait to here what you think of them!

[nowster Graduate]

There are many meanings of the word "stroller". For a moment I thought it was a Zimmer Frame, not a baby buggy. 🤣