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Transitioning your Child(ren) out of the Stroller

8/28/2019

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PicturePost run stretching and photo. No stroller!
There comes a time in every Stroller Warrior’s life when her/his children are ready to start logging some miles of their own. We’re here to make that transition for you a little bit easier. I have compiled advice from numerous Stroller Warriors who have been there, done that and have come through the other end triumphant. Without further ado, here are some awesome tips and tricks!
 
Don’t immediately ditch the stroller!There will be a transition period while your mini warrior builds up his or her stamina and you’re going to want a backup plan during that period. Bring the single or the double stroller along, even if your mini has also brought their bike or scooter. There were MANY times where my son lost steam (sometimes only 5 minutes into our run!) and there was no moving him. I am so happy I still had the stroller and could let him climb in with his sister. I’d put his bike on top of the stroller and continue on my way. 
 
Don’t feel like your child needs to go from stroller to bike, there are many other options. Many have found the scooter to be a wonderful transition between stroller rider and biker. With the scooter, your mini won’t be able to go as fast, and therefore it will be even easier for you to keep them in site. The scooter also gives them the chance to build their muscles and their stamina without the height of a fall off a bike. Strider bikes are another great alternative. Keep reading to learn more about strider bikes.

PictureBand-Aid needed.
​Bring Band-Aids.  You never know when there might be an accident, so keep band aids on hand just in case. For many children Band-Aids are a magic fix it all and can improve their mood and keep them going. Who doesn’t like having a magic wand around?!

​Strider bikes work! Strider bikes look like regular bikes but they don’t have pedals. They’re also usually lower to the ground. I can tell you from experience, strider bikes work to teach your kids how to ride a bike, STRESS FREE! I remember learning to ride a bike as a kid. After my parents took off my training wheels I fell off into the bushes and onto the ground more times than I can count. It actually made me afraid of biking. I remember my Dad having to run alongside me to make sure I didn’t fall or try to catch me if I did. Thankfully those are not my parenting memories of teaching my kids to ride a bike! We used strider bikes for all 4 of our kids. They learned to balance first and learned to pedal second. Once they got the hang of balancing on their strider bike, it was literally a day or two later that they were able to jump onto their regular bike and head off –without falling! My kids can keep up with me on their strider bikes, and I feel so much safer with them on their striders than on regular bikes while at a Stroller Warriors workout. All they have to do to stop is put their legs down. If you want a stress-free learning to bike experience, get a new or use strider bike.

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Here are two different versions of strider bikes. The kids were happy to find a bus stop to take a minute to sit down and rest. They've been working hard!
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Go to the track!If your local track allows bikes and scooters, that’s a great place to get them started and build their confidence right along with their muscles. They can gain a little bit independence from you and you both can stop whenever you’re tired. No trek back home required. 

​Build up a trusting relationship with strong boundaries. They’re new to this, and likely very excited! However, sometimes there are roads to cross and other runners and strollers to be aware of. Take the time to teach them the rules of the road/trail. Teach them to say, “On your left” if they will be passing someone, and to move to right if someone says, “On your left.” Teach them all of your rules and boundaries. How close to you do they need to be? Do they need to stay with a certain person/friend? Can they cross streets without you or do they need to stop and wait? Can they turn around and bike back towards you? or do you want them to pause where they are wand wait for you to catch up?Setting up your expectations ahead of time, will make your day go a whole lot smoother.
 
Use your tribe!Many warriors have talked about how they sometimes have a fast mini warrior and a slower mini warrior, all at the same time. What are you to do when you can’t be in two places at once? Use your tribe! Talk with your fellow warriors and plan out who will be with the fast kids and who will be with the slower kids. Switch it up so one person doesn’t get stuck always in the back or always in the front. In the past I have asked our lead runner if it would it be okay for my child/children to bike with her? When she has said, yes. I’ve made sure to have a talk with her and my kids to go over my rules with them. For example I usually say, “You can’t go past Mrs. Lindsay, and you need to turn around when she turns around. You also need to listen to her, just as you would listen to me.” I also check in with her after the run to thank her and make sure they listened well and she didn’t run into any problems having them with her. 
 
Remember two key words, patience and practice! When you first start out, you will likely be waiting on them. There will be falls, and scratches and all kinds of delays. Keep practicing. Practice a lot. Practice prior to Stroller Warrior workouts so they can get the hang of riding their bike or scooter before being with a crowd on a bike or a scooter. You can break it down into multiple small segments from the house, 3 minutes out and 3 minutes back and build from there. You can practice multiple times a day. Take small steps to help build their confidence and their muscles. Before you know it, they will be zooming past you on their own.

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​Watch out for sleepy kids!  Keep an eye on your child’s level of exhaustion. If they’re too tired have them ride in the stroller or abort for the day. Katie has experienced this first hand. She didn’t realize how tired her son was until he fell asleep at an evening workout and rode his bike right into the seawall. She says, “I felt terrible and didn’t look like the mother of the year.” We all know accidents happen. No judgement here! Take this as a learning lesson for us all, and maybe take a minute to ask your child if they are feeling tired before heading out. 
 
Which reminds me, don’t forget the helmets! Safety comes first! You never know when an accident is going to happen. Traumatic Brain Injuries are a very real and scary thing. Helmets were invented for a reason. Keep an extra in your car if you need to, to help you remember to have one on hand for your mini warrior. 
 
Remember snacks and water.  I can pretty much guarantee if you have a biker or a mini warrior on a scooter, they are going to get thirsty. They may want to stop 3-4 times to “have a rest” and take a drink. Make sure you have enough for you and them, so that no one is left wanting. Their muscles can benefit just as much as yours from a post-run snack. Research shows that eating something small within 30 minutes after a workout helps your muscles to quickly repair and rebuild faster than if you don’t eat anything.

If your biker is having trouble keeping up, check out the tire size of their bike. My son was having trouble keeping up with us. He was getting frustrated and not having fun. We upgraded his bike to the next tire size and literally the next day he could keep up! With the bigger tires he was able to use the same amount of effort to go further and faster.
 
We’re so happy we could help you along in your transition in this small way, by sharing our best tips and tricks. If you have more tips and tricks we haven’t talked about above please post below and share with your fellow Stroller Warriors!
 
Happy Running! 
Kelly and the SWHQ Team

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Stroller Running with a Toddler

8/15/2019

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We’re here with you today to share our best tips and tricks to help you have successful runs with your toddler!

Most children love the stroller, or learn to love it. So don’t be discouraged if they cry on your first time out. Don’t feel like you have to go full steam right away either. You can start with smaller increments of time, like 10 minutes and build up by 5 or 10 minutes each day until you’re at your desired time for a run.

Make sure your toddler is dressed appropriately for the weather and has adequate blankets (if needed). If they are too hot or too cold, they will likely make sure you and everyone in a 10-mile radius is well aware!
Make sure to buckle your child in safely. You never know when a car will jump the sidewalk or when an accident is going to happen. If you and your child get into the habit of practicing safety first, it will be second nature (and won’t cause fights) later in life.

Bring snacks and a drink along for the ride. Having food and drink along will help the run go so much smoother. Some moms have found success in keeping special snacks JUST for stroller runs to help their children associate stroller runs as something positive and special.
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It was a squeeze pouch AND 2 dum dums kind of run!
If your child likes to throw things, consider investing in something that makes the sippy cup or snack attached to the stroller. That way you won’t have to stop and start a million times. Still stay alert though, you never know what they’re going to throw out! One time I went on a run and when I got back I noticed my little was missing a shoe! I had zoned out on the run while they napped and could not tell you when or where the shoe was lost. Thinking it must have been recently I backtracked looking for it. I did find it, exactly at my turn around point and ended up doing DOUBLE the miles I was intending to.
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Leash/lanyard to keep items from getting launched out of the stroller during a run!
Engage with them as you run! It’s fun for them to talk with you and look out for the things you’re looking at. This will also help them to learn words and will broaden their vocabulary. I always asked my toddlers to repeat back to me words to help them learn and to see how they are able to say it. Some things are just too adorable to not hear and capture. For example, my third child calls a lunch box a, "rumpus." Had I not had her repeat it back to me as we were running to the park, I never would have known what she was talking about!

Consider playing music for them during the run. They may have favorite songs that help to calm them or they might be lulled by the music and take a good nap.

If possible stop and start at a playground. This will give them some time to be active too and they’ll begin to associate stroller runs with FUN for them too!
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Reward of post run play time!
Invite another Mom along for the fun! Not only will you get company, but so will your child. The monkey see, monkey do effect will start to come into play. You don’t know how many times I’ve seen first time Warriors shocked that their kids did so well in the stroller on their first day. I think part of it is that with other people around there is a lot going on to see. The other part is peer pressure. The other kids are doing it and not complaining, so they don’t complain either. Sometimes peer pressure can work in wonderful ways! Like with happy stroller runs and potty training. But I digress.
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Running with friends is more fun for you AND your toddler!
Don’t forget diapers and wipes. You never know when they might have a major blow out and it’s best to be prepared, just in case!

If your toddler is into baby wearing, bring along a baby carrier. As your child gets heavier it’s even harder to hold them while steering a stroller. If you do end up needing to walk with them you can strap them into the baby carrier and push the stroller with two hands.

If they have successfully ridden in the stroller for awhile, reward them with a bit of run time of their own! They want nothing more than to be like you - so when the playground is in sight, unbuckle them and have them "race" you to the park!
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Doing a bit of running herself... just like Mom! :)
My best advice for those of you getting out there with toddlers is to be persistent. Keep trying. Don’t give up. Don’t let one bad day or one bad week dictate what the rest of your life will look like. When you are patient and persistent, eventually they will learn. You can have the best of both worlds, fun for them and a workout for you! Best of luck!

Happy Running!
Kelly

What tips and tricks have you used when running with your toddler(s)?
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Stroller Running with a Baby

8/1/2019

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PictureMy second baby, Asher.
I want to start off this blog by giving you a little bit of background on me, the writer. I am a mother of 4, and have been stroller running for 10 years. I am not a paid blogger. None of the companies I talk about below have asked me to write about them. 

Now the good stuff: what you need and how to get yourself up to stroller running with your baby. 

First of all, you need a jogging stroller. Let me say that in my experience with jogging strollers, you get what you pay for. This is one area in life where it is better to pay a little more and get a high quality stroller that can last. My personal favorite is the BOB Revolution (I own two! Their single and their double). There are other brands that my friend’s have and that seem to perform well. Feel free to ask on your local Stroller Warrior® page for recommendations. I have known people who started out without a jogging stroller. I even know two that started with a tandem double and one that started with a tandem triple! While it is possible, it’s less safe and is a lot harder on you and your body.

When you decide to run with your infant is up to you and your doctor. Talk with your doctor and your spouse and make the decision that is the best for you and your family. If you would like to read more about my personal experiences on returning to running post partum this blog will tell you more. 

Always make sure to buckle your child in safely. Make sure to run holding the safety strap securely and don't forget to put on your brake when you stop. Nobody wants a runaway stroller! It's also a good idea to get in the habit of looking over the stroller to make sure the wheels are on correctly, properly secured and are inflated before you start your run. The stroller you purchase should have a website or manual that can detail how to correctly do these things.

PictureTransferring the baby from the stroller to the car was an easy click out of the car and into the stroller!
Whenever you and baby start running together you need to keep in mind that both you and baby are new to this! Your baby is still learning while missing your womb and your warmth. Your body recently went through a major weight change, a major blood volume change, a traumatic event and possibly a major surgery. Give yourself grace. Give your baby grace. I am a big fan of building up postpartum with a walk-run interval program. The free app by Zen Labs called C25k is one that I personally have used to build back up after having a baby. As an added bonus this program is only 30 minutes long 3 times a week, so hopefully baby is more likely to last for 30 minutes than say for an hour. It is also easier to escape baby for half an hour while you run on your own if that’s the route you choose to go.

While you’re jogging stroller shopping I highly recommend looking for one that has an infant car seat attachment that you can click your baby’s carseat into. This will enable the easy transfer of a warm baby from the car to the stroller for an easy run or from the stroller to the car for an easy trip home. There have even been times when I have been able to run in my neighborhood, unclip the sleeping baby from the stroller and bring my baby into the bathroom so I can keep an eye on baby while I shower.

If you have to take your baby out of the carseat to put them into the stroller, chances are they are going to get grumpy and it will be harder (but not impossible) to get them down again. If your baby is awake or wakes up before you run I would nurse/feed the baby, burp them really well, make sure they have a clean diaper and are comfortable temperature-wise (what they wear will obviously depend on the climate you are in).  Most places you’ll want your baby to have some kind of hat as all humans lose 40% of their heat through their head. Trapping that warmth may be especially important for baby (depending on climate and season) as they won’t be running and having their blood circulating like you are. When you are running your body temperature increases the ‘real feel’ by 20 degrees. Only you are experiencing this real feel temp increase so when you are running you can no longer gage their warmth by your own.

None of my 4 children would take pacifiers, but you bet I was trying to get them to take one while I was out on a run. Getting 30 minutes of peace in a day can make a world of a difference in your mental health and stress level. If your baby will take one, getting in some personal exercise can boost your mood (yay endorphins!) and give you more energy for your day. It’s funny how that works sometimes, isn’t it?

When running with an infant I always pack a baby carrier. Which baby carrier I have in the stroller has always depended on their age and which carrier they like best. For 0-6 months I baby wear using a sashawrap which is similar to a moby wrap but made by a military spouse (and able to be  personalized). 6 months up to toddlerhood I use an Ergo or a backpack style carrier that can go on the front or the back. There is a high chance, especially when you both are new to this, that baby might get upset and you might need to cuddle them while you walk. This may be frustrating especially when your friends around you are able to continue to run. Remember that a half attempt is better than no attempt at all. Using a baby carrier instead of carrying them in your arms will not only make it easier to push the stroller. It also will save your arms, back and posture. You can still get a great workout walking, especially if you have a baby carrier on. Walk fast and get your heart rate up, or pause and sooth your baby. Tomorrow is another day, you can always try again.
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If you want, before you give in and walk, here are a few different things you can try. These are listed in random order. You can do whichever you want first. Every baby is different and you know your baby best. 
​1. 
Check the baby’s diaper. They may want a new one.
2. 
Feed the baby. Know that all of the research says that babies are the healthiest eaters out there. They will eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. 3. Burp the baby. Gas pains are no fun!
4. Give the baby a pacifier.  
5. Play music. Is there a special song you listened to or sang while you were pregnant? Don’t be afraid to whip it out and use it. It could make a world of a difference in your baby’s mood. Nobody will judge you while you run along singing the ABCs or for my second son it was Twinkle, Twinkle. If anything it just makes you look like a good Mom. I have a friend that had a Hawaiian song playing on repeat every time we ran together. I didn’t mind at all because it made her son happy and enabled us to run together. 

​If baby still isn’t happy take them out, put them in a carrier and walk with them. Did you know that the research on calories burned is pretty similar in running VS walking provided that the MILES covered is the same. What I am saying is that for example if you run 3 miles or walk 3 miles your caloric expenditure will be remarkably similar. The big difference is the time. For example on average it would have taken you 30 minutes to run 3 miles and it would have taken you 60 minutes to walk it. Walking is good exercise and exercise does your body and mind wonders. So don’t be too upset if your run is abruptly halted by a crying baby. You can still get a good workout in and get some of those endorphins and much needed vitamin D for you and baby. 
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Do you have any tips or tricks to share with your fellow Stroller Warriors? Please post below and tell us!
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