Stroller running with kids

I have 4 kids ages 4-12, and I have been running longer than I've been a mom.  I remember my first run after my first baby 6 weeks postpartum.  I had so much excitement and energy to get out, which lasted a block or two to the stop sign when reality hit and I walked home.  Sharp kick in the pants by reality, but I hadn't maintained my fitness level as well the year before her birth and had a pretty rough birth with her.  Thankfully, my running relationship as a mom has gotten much better, and I wanted to share some of my tips and experience with you all!

First off, I have to recommend the best investment we ever made in staying active with our kids, our Chariot Cougar 2.  We've had ours for 10 years and it is still going strong!  I have not replaced one part, but we bought it at REI with our member 20% off so we could always get any replacement parts if needed.  I encourage you to use your local retailer if possible, but if not REI is a great place to buy it from.  Now they've gone up in price quite a bit from 10 years ago, but I'm telling you, if you want to run, bike, and/or cross country ski with your kids, particularly in any weather, save the money and buy one.  Maybe you can find one used.  I could write a whole review on our Chariot, but I'll try to summarize my favorite points.

• All weather protection.  This thing is weather proof whether hot, cold, wet or wind.  I've got a
  half length sun cover, full length mesh cover which covers the entire opening (which can I say
  
  is 100% awesome for keeping kids from throwing toys out!), full length vinyl waterproof cover that is also gold in the wind.  There are also two vent pockets inside to give air if I have all the covers on.  All those covers stay attached to the trailer so you don't have to worry about carrying anything extra or forgetting anything.  I have literally taken the trailer out in any and all weather with happy warm dry kids inside.  They don't even wear heavy coats in freezing temperatures because the covers keep them so tucked in.  Love the tinted windows on the side too.
• Formed seats.  Seems like a simple thing, but not having a sling style bench inside makes it so kids and their things don't collapse onto each other in the middle.  Very comfortable padded seats and 5 point buckles with covers over the buckles so kids don't get pinched or let themselves out.  You can move a buckle system into the middle too if you only have 1 kid in there who doesn't want to stay on one side.
• Shocks.  No matter the bumps I take the trailer on, books/toys/food does not fall off the seat and I don't worry my kid is a bobblehead doll on a rough road either.  They are adjustable but we have always left them as they came.
• Infant sling.  From birth to 1 year, Chariot makes a sling that hooks up to the buckles and
  
  trailer so baby can lay vs having to sit, because we all know a 3 month old is not going to sit up, and who wants to wait 6+ months to get out and get going.  They do not recommend biking with a child using the infant sling, but rather wait till they are a good sitter, but I have definitely run with very young babies (and biked smooth quiet road with babies technically too young).  Great way to sooth them to sleep but not have to fit the carseat in which then wouldn't leave room for a big brother or sister.
• Versatility.  The Chariot has so much storage!  A few good pockets in the trailer but 3 great size ones in back for me.  I love memories of walking/running/biking to the grocery store or library with the kids and filling those pockets with books or gallons of milk.  And as I've mentioned, they sell kits for different activities: jogging, stroller, bike, ski, hike.  We have owned the first 3 and after many years of the big jogger wheel in the front, I discovered the stroller kit thanks to my friend Charity.  You'd think those two little wheels wouldn't be good to run with, but they totally are!  No more adjusting the tracking on the jogger wheel, the stroller wheels turn on a dime and do just fine on any surface I've run on (note, I do not take the trailer trail running beyond smooth canal road, too much work).  Also way easier to navigate indoors since the stroller wheels sit right under the front of the Chariot.  Buy the stroller kit!
• Down sides - there aren't many and wouldn't keep me from buying one again, but a couple things to keep things honest - no recline.  Stinks not to be able to lay them down like a traditional stroller, but there is soft mesh in back of their heads to allow for helmet room when biking that they could lean into a little, or they sleep on each other, or now that it's just Ella in the stroller I'll bring a cozy blanket and she'll lay sideways to sleep if we're running. It's heavy and bulky to collapse and fit into the car, but we certainly have.  I'm lucky to have a paved river path a mile from our house that we do most of our running on.

My husband and our then 3 kids stuffed in the Chariot biking around watching me at a triathlon 5-6 years ago

If you don't have or can't afford a Chariot, don't fret.  There are a few tricks you can use to make your own stroller/jogger better.  When I went on the first run as a mom, I just threw a receiving blanket over the front of our old school borrowed jogger.  And as soon as I went outside it blew off and my poor 6 week old baby took a big gasp of the winter air.  Oops.  That led to a whole lot of trying to figure out how to keep it covered.  My best recommendation is to buy a vinyl rain cover that will fit your stroller and use it for cold temps or wind, even if it isn't raining.  Makes a big difference and is an affordable $15-$20 option.  There are lots of varieties and while the vinyl is best for wind and cold, they do make netting ones to help keep toys in and dirt out at least.

Make sure your ride is equipped with supplies.  Diapers and wipes if you're using them (confession, I haven't cleaned out the deep back pockets of the Chariot in apparently, a very long time, because I found a few new diapers in there, and my 'baby' has been potty trained for over a year... Make sure there are several extra snacks in there, and if it has to be treats you wouldn't normally give, pack them.  Sometimes kids don't want to go running with me, but a few incentives they only get there can help.  We'll do oatmeal in the trailer on cold mornings too which isn't too messy but gets us out the door faster.  No spill water bottles are great so if, I mean when they get turned upside down, they won't leak.  Now I hate to admit this one, but you may need to pack a device - phone or tablet.  I try really hard to not give them one, and almost never start with it out, but if they're grumpy or the run is long, you have to keep the captives happy.
These water color books are one of my favorites lately for my Ella.  No, not watercolors, I'm not that crazy, but a simple water paintbrush book that shows color when wet, then dries and they can do it over again.  The little brush pens are nice, but I don't want it squeezed out or to have to stop every 2 minutes to refill it, so we put a small 4oz water bottle/flask with the cap off in a pocket inside, 1/3 full of water, and use a regular paint brush she can dip in the water.  At only 1/3 full it won't splash out and ours stays upright pretty well, but this is a good time for duct tape to the side of the stroller if needed.

Captain Ella!  One of her fun, but not super safe ;) trailer activities when we're walking

Parks and playgrounds.  Now like I mentioned earlier, you've got captives that may get restless, and if they end up hating going running with you, you probably won't get out or will feel guilty doing so. So you have to reward them.  Now before I sound all mom of the year, most of the time after a run, all I want to do is go home, eat everything, and be lazy, not stop at the park and then wrestle a kid away when it's time.  But if I have the time, I try to hit one at the end of our run. I have really nice memories of nursing a baby (my favorite nursing sports bra post here) or changing a diaper at the park, while an older child gets out to go play.
If you can't or don't want to stop at the park - don't run by one!  I've definitely rerouted a run I knew would go by a playground or tried to show them something out the other side of the trailer if it wasn't a good time to stop.
And if your run is a casual one, not structured, do half your run to the store/library/park/museum/pool, let the wild ones out to play, then run home. Great relay training if you're into Ragnar and such!  I do prefer to do our playing at the end though so I can stretch while they play.  Bring a recovery drink or snack with you if it was a hard or long workout to eat before you get home.

I have cycled between biking and running with the kids a lot, and not.  I haven't biked much since I got into ultrarunning in 2012, but sure did a lot before then in my triathlon days.  Sometimes running has just worked better to do it before they get up, and I don't do all my running with them now, runs alone are nice me time and sometimes a better or more focused workout.  
But I treasure the time outside with them.  I get emotional thinking of the songs we've sung, ABC's we've learned, animals pointed out and I-spy we've played over the years.  My older kids too big for the trailer will bike next to me sometimes, and that's a great way to keep them involved and give them quiet, distraction free quality time.  Such good time and memories!  It's made me feel good about including them in the time I take to workout, less mom guilt, and hope I influence them to be active too.  I feel a funny sense of save the earth warm fuzzies when we run or bike to places we can, rather than drive.  Two birds with one stone, well probably more birds than two actually.  Errands done, no driving, workout, time and vitamin D together.
It's not always easy to be active with kids.  Sometimes the workout takes longer with them than it would without, I get tired, don't want to pack everything and the chickens into the trailer sometimes, worry she'll be grumpy or want to stop at the park or get out when I don't have time, but that doesn't usually happen.  Pushing a kid or two (or more) is kind of like wearing a weight vest in my opinion, extra resistance, but more importantly, it keeps things in perspective for me.  Mom first, athlete second.

I hope any of this rambling has helped you!  I have really enjoyed the last couple years running with my youngest child while our older three are off at school.  Great quality time for us, and I'm getting my road and speedwork done, without having to get up as early.  Mostly though, I just love our time together and the feeling I get of multitasking together.  Get outside!

10 days till Wasatch 100 - The Final Countdown!

Commence music video 

I'm so excited for this race!  Feels like one of the few I actually trained specifically for.  Not to say I don't train, but I jump into stuff last minute, a lot.  This one has had a dedicated plan.  I didn't over race the summer because I wanted to be primed for this one physically, but also mentally.  I am very thankful to be feeling not only strong, but healthy!  I want to take these last 10 days and detail some of the gear I use that I love and keeps me going.  I also want to document a little of my training over the last several months.  I'll try to keep the writing short but definitely include photos.  It was a very unique summer for our family.

Until tomorrow, here is a really cool look at the course from above from fellow runner Chihping Fu.  The last 15 or so miles have changed, but this gives you a good idea what next Friday and into Saturday will hold.

Handy winter pony tail trick

I had the chance to go skate (nordic) skiing today for the first time in several years. Truth be told I've probably only been half a dozen times total, and it's a crazy good workout especially for the arms ironically, but I really like the skating movement. Went with a friend Canice and his little girl Fiona. Got to try out the ski kit on a Chariot, a kit we haven't purchased thus far. It was harder for sure but would be a even better workout and fun to enjoy the nature with a little one. 

ANYWAY, sorry. So we were going along and my hair was down because I forgot an elastic, but I needed my ears covered with my buff (which are awesome to cover or head or pull down to cover your neck and are super easy to make if you can't buy one, it's just a 1 seam tube of fabric, knits don't fray) but I was getting hot and my hair was blowing all over. So I figured out how to tie it back and cover my ears. Perfect!

Just twist the buff in a loop in the back when it's on and pull the hair through, voila!

Ok so it's probably been done before but it was new to me so I thought I'd share. Get out and enjoy something different using this season off from high mileage and intensity. I plan to start my structured training for an event in April at the end of this month. Until then it's play. Base and cross training are good for the mind and body!

An awesome running AND nursing sports bra? Yep! I found one!

2016 update below

 I'm so happy with my Moving Comfort Juno bra!  I've run while nursing all my babies, but have never been super comfortable.  With our first baby I just wore two compression sports bras.  Worked ok support wise, but not great and it's funny how when you're not used to it (larger cup size), the girls bouncing around actually throws your gait off, did for me anyway, drove me nuts!  With our 2nd baby I bought my first encapsulating bra (sports bra with cups, not just a solid piece of 'hold em down' fabric) and it worked better, but often I'd have to wear a compression bra on top of that as well.  Then we had our 3rd baby and I bought a more expensive sports bra, sometimes you have to pay for quality.  I think it may have even been a moving comfort, but it was kind of old school with a cotton outer.  I remember running the St George Marathon with it.  Rained the whole entire race and two spots on the top hem of the bra rubbed me so bad I was bleeding by the end.  But it was a good bra support wise.  To nurse however I'd have to hook it on the loosest setting in the back, only hook one hook (not the 3 it had, make sense?) and just pull one side up while I nursed.  Yes it gave me the access I needed, but was uncomfortable smashing the top of my breast (I hate the word boob, don't know why, just do) and I worried I was ruining the band.

The Juno.  Isn't it cute! 

ANYWAY!  Sorry for the digression.  Not sure what happened to that bra but wanted a new one anyway after 3 years.  I found the Moving Comfort Juno and it is just fabulous!  Not only do I get the support I want, but I like the way it looks and it is a breeze to nurse with.  I'll highlight my favorite things about it

• Great support.  It is more encapsulating than compression, but kind of does both.  Has a nice wide band on the bottom which is important, and the straps don't have elastic, another important feature.  Bounce comes from too loose a band and flexible straps and I do not like bounce.  The straps on the juno also adjust really easily, and from the front - even easier!
• Comfortable.  It's kind of a pain to get off when I'm done wearing it, but not horrible, and it's easier to get on.  Although it is a racerback style bra, it has 3 rows of hooks in the back to tighten the band down just a little more.  The straps are a great width and slightly padded and I have noticed no discomfort with them at all!  Actually I have noticed no rubbing anywhere from this bra, very important.  The bra will dry well when I use it in tri's and breathes well otherwise.
• Cute.  Yep, here's my vanity again.  I have a few sports bras that buckle in the back like a regular bra and they are definitely easier to put on, but I don't always love where the strap hits my shoulder blade and they don't always fit well under shirts, especially tank tops, and don't look as cute alone.  I don't go sports bra only very often, but on the occasions that I do I prefer a racer back look.  Anyway, love the look of the back of this bra, and it looks great and is flattering from the front too.  The formed cups are gentle but flattering and not padded, just formed.  Fun colors too!
• Nursing friendly.  No more pull the bottom up and squish the breast access, this bra has straps that slide in and out of the body of the bra in front easy peasy thanks to great velcro.  Now I know, I said velcro.  But you wouldn't even know its there!  Super trim and not scratchy at all and yet it works!  I have fastened and unfastened this bra so many times already and I initially worried maybe the velcro would wear out and not hold as well, but I have no worries at all so far.  I save the Juno for running and wear other bras on the bike.  I run 3 times a week and teach 2 fitness classes so I'm really in this bra almost every day and when I get back from a workout, my Ella is usually ready to eat.  I'm tired and hungry and don't want to put her off for a shower and new clothes so I really appreciate that I just scoop up my sweet little bundle and nurse her right then.  Will also be really convenient when I start racing soon not to have to change at the finish line before I feed her, and is great when I take her on runs in the trailer and she needs to eat.  Oh and I'm really impressed with how well the bra has held it's shape.  I worried my pulling it up and down would but a kink in the cup but has done great and washes up well.

I don't really have any complaints, but to give an honest review, where the bra hooks together in the back I'll feel like something's there and move the tag sometimes, but it's not that.  It doesn't hurt or rub, just something I'm aware of.  Not a deal breaker at all.
Sizing wise I think they're on.  While nursing I wear a 34C normal bra and went with a 32D Juno.  Now yes the band is tight but that's important and I wanted that.  I do kind of wish I went with a C now that I'm settling into my milk supply, but I needed the D that first month and haven't noticed any new bouncing.  I know when I wore it the month before I had Ella I was sure that was the right size because I was kind of popping out all over, but I forgot that your rib cage goes in a little and for me at least, I go down about a cup size from right before and after baby once my supply settles.  Just keep that in mind if you're expecting.

Thank you Moving Comfort!  They are a great company to deal with too, great website, very knowledgeable customer service and live chat.  I love live chat.  Hope this helps someone, it's really frustrating as a woman to have anything be uncomfortable while exercising.  It's hard enough to fit it all in timing wise, the last thing you need is something else like clothing to get in the way of a good stress relieving break.  Time to get out and enjoy spring!

*I bought this bra myself, it was not a freebie

Edit to update - This post has almost always been my most viewed post, and it's years old now (updating today in March 2016).  A couple other bra's are worth mentioning including the Moving Comfort Jubralee which I have used.  Nice smooth soft fabric, back closure, traditional bra straps, possibly not as much support as Juno but pretty close and easier to get on and off.  Fiona and Rebound Racer from Moving Comfort are two other options to check out too thanks to their front velcro straps making it nursing friendly.  Shefit is a new bra that I saw and recommended to a friend who loves it a lot! Very customizable and nursing friendly.  Stay active my pregnant and nursing friends!  Pay the money for one of these great bras, and get the right size.  Keep hydrated and listen to your body.