Tag Archives: stroller

09.06.12
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Day 18: 3 mile run through Glenmore Reservoir with stroller – YEAH BUDDY!

Today was a perfect morning for training. The temperature was around 12 degrees, the sun was shining and Felix and I had an awesome run through Glenmore Reservoir. We went the hilly way and survived (surprisingly.) I didn’t wake up thinking I wanted to do hills today (or any hill), but when we hit the trail I just felt like I could handle it (even with the stroller.)  I do believe that it was all due to my amazing mathematical skills. I worked out how far I needed to go so that when we turned around I would only have to do one really steep hill and get to finish at the top. It worked out perfectly.

That hill was a real bitch though (excuse the language.) I didn’t even want to look up because I was scared I’d lose steam so I just looked at the ground, pushed with one arm and prayed to God that if I passed out they’d find me before the bear did. Oh yes. There’s been a bear out on the reservoir. I truly hope I never see him (I do have bear spray, though I have no idea how to use it.) We made it to the top and I really wanted to do the Rocky move but thought the old fella I met up there would think I was a total nutcase, so I did it in my head. Todays run wasn’t fast but I really enjoyed it.

I continued “Project Morning” and said “Good morning” to everyone we met (some we met twice); I have to say, 99% of the folks we met today

were smiling and cheery. I talked to a few people along the way. One older man asked me if I planned to do the whole trail; I asked him if he was crazy. But did say “maybe some day!” There were lots of dogs and bikers; Felix loves seeing both. We snapped this picture of the pond as we were nearing the turnaround point. Yes, for my Nova Scotia friends, this is exciting for us here in Alberta. Water. It actually looked really nice; despite a little voice in my head telling to keep checking to make sure there are no moose, cougars or bears around it. I don’t even know what I would do if I saw any of the three. Surprisingly, I am most scared of moose.

I have to say that the runs and recovery are getting easier, but I do know that in the coming weeks my mileage will go up quite a bit. I’m also dreading the hilly runs that are also coming up in training e.g.: 5 x 200 yards uphill. Ouch.

Here are todays stats:

  • Distance: 4.81 km
  • Time: 32:07
  • Pace/km: 6:41
  • Best pace: 6:05

Anyway, as you can see the time wasn’t the best, but I’m not a bit sore and had a great run – it’s all about the journey, right? Here’s a picture of me and Felix after we finished. YAHOO! Big Smiles all around.:)

09.04.12
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Day 16: 4 mile Fartlek Run with Stroller

YAHOO! Day 16 –  4 mile Farlek run is done and it was terrific!

I wasn’t too sure what the run would be like today. I woke up feeling tired and felt like it may be a struggle to get motivated. I didn’t sleep that well last night (may have been the cappuccino I had late yesterday afternoon) and therefore, was wired until the very wee hours of the morning. However, I got up, pumped myself full of oatmeal, an apple, water and a cup of hazelnut vanilla coffee and out the door we went!

It was a gorgeous morning; the sun was shining, there was a strong breeze and I had some fantastic company: Felix. This morning (for added challenge) I took Felix with me in the stroller. It was great fun and he enjoyed himself. He was smiling and grabbing at all the bushes and trees he could along the route. At one point we were running straight into the wind and he had his head tilted back, taking in the rays, he looked so much like this photo it made me laugh out loud.

I was really thankful to have a good run day. I’m starting to get into the heavier distances and training, so I want to keep my momentum going! We didn’t see too much else on our route. I did say Good Morning to most people; and most said it back, except for the Grouch (she lives in the neighbourhood) and I wasn’t surprised when she ignored us. 🙂

 Here’s a breakdown of todays training:

  • 1.5 km warm up run
  • 2.5 km steady race pace
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.25 km fast
  • 0.25 km slow
  • 0.50 km steady pace
  • 0.25 km slow

I even went a little bit further than I was supposed to (not purposely, of course!) Anyway, hope everyone else is having a good week of training. Happy Trails!

08.30.12
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Stroller advice: how to entertain a toddler while you run

Anyone who knows me would say it’s karma. A child that is busy 24/7 and throws down temper tantrums more often than Naomi Campbell and Mel Gibson combined. However, knowing that I have a kid who would rather be busy and on the go, I make darn sure I’ve got the necessary supplies to endure our running adventures. Plus, I love how independent and dramatic my kid is!

Here are some things to keep in mind if you plan to run with a toddler:

  1. If your kid is prone to tantrums, make sure you don’t go just before nap or prior to meal time. Always try to organize runs around a well-rested and fed child. Trust me. Learned the hard way.
  2. Make sure you have plenty of snacks. Even if your toddler isn’t hungry, bring snacks along for the run. I know you shouldn’t encourage kids to play with their food but if s/he isn’t screaming, who cares?
  3. Bring toys. Think about this for a minute. We don’t go ANYWHERE without our phones, iPods, iPads etc., so imagine that you have to sit through the most boring 1-hour lecture of your life; maybe something along the lines of public health policy. Now, imagine you have to sit through it without some form of entertainment. EXACTLY!
  4. Engage your child throughout the run. Now, I’m definitely not saying you try to carry-on a conversation, but point things out along the way. “Wow – look at the pretty trees. What colour are the trees?” etc. Nothing is more boring than hanging out with someone who (a) pretends you aren’t there, and (b) won’t talk to you
  5. Keep your stroller activity to an hour or less. Seriously people. Your child is definitely not interested in running with you for longer than an hour. Let’s remember that at this young age, their attention span is that of a hummingbird.
  6. If you want to listen to music, put it on so you can both hear. In my case, I put my iPhone in the cup holder and crank the volume. Yeah, I know it’s a little disrespectful to the people around me but it’s better than being disrespectful to my little running buddy. Plus, I NEVER listen to 50 cent in mixed company!
  7. Make sure you praise them for good behaviour throughout the running adventure; and treating where appropriate.
  8. Finally, be respectful of their age and development. Your four/five year old does not want to be pushed around in a stroller anymore. They want to run WITH you.

Now, I can’t speak to #7 from experience, but I was at Sobey’s grocery shopping one day when a woman strolled in with what appeared to be a kid of AT LEAST six, maybe seven. He wanted to get out and walk; she wouldn’t let him. It was weird and creepy. At that point, I’m sure the kid could’ve kept up during the run anyway…

Anyway, hope this helps on your running journeys. It has helped me! Happy Trails!

08.30.12
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Day 11: It’s all a mental game!

Today I ran 3 miles, pushing one 27 lbs kid in a stroller. As you know I wasn’t really in the mood for a run this morning, but with all the support I’ve had and by the time I got to the Glenmore Reservoir things turned around. Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you it was all lollipops and sunshine (well, it was actually sunny out). There were moments where I had to chant “you run because you can” in my head; tell myself not to quit etc…but I did it and I’m pleased. I wasn’t too far off my time last night and I was pushing a stroller!

Here are todays stats:

  • Distance: 4.80 km
  • Time: 30:21
  • Pace/Km: 6:19
  • Best Pace: 5:45

The trail wasn’t too busy, there were lots of people young and old running, biking and walking. The best part of the day was during cool-down when Felix & I passed by a bench with three older women on it (guessing late 70’s) – they were bubbly, smiling and wished us a good morning. Oh one thing I wanted to ask was this: do you put on perfume/cologne before your morning run? Felix and I rounded a corner and I hit a wall of Chanel Mademoiselle; much to my surprise it was a man wearing it. Then not two minutes later, we hit the smell of what can only be described as Brut. Now, I can’t be sure because the last time I would have smelled it was when my brother was in junior high – it’s nasty stuff!

Not too much more to report. Felix felt totally left out of the action, so when we got to the parking lot I let him do a lap pushing the stroller -he was loving life! I then had to bribe him with cheerios to get into the car.

On the way home he dumped 2/3 of the bag out – silly me for giving him the whole thing. However, all I could do was laugh! He’s a great little running buddy 🙂

 

 

 

08.22.12
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Day 3: 2.5 mile run. With Stroller.

Today is Day 3 and I had to complete a 2.5 mile run. The sun is shining and it’s about 25 Celsius out – great weather for a quick run. I decided it would be fun to take F with me, so I popped him in the stroller and off we went through the neighbourhood. It’s been a while since I had him in there and forgot how heavy 27 lbs is, but we survived! And with a time of 24:26, we made it back home in time for lunch.

I just finished some quick stretching and my legs aren’t feeling as stiff as they were this morning – I’m also in the process of assembling a pretty mean salad to serve as my post-run snack (eggs, green pepper, onion, almonds and cheese; carrot sticks too!)

Does anyone else out there run with a stroller? Any tips for sidewalk-lips? Maybe it’s just Calgary, but the lips are like little cliffs – really brutal with a stroller. I do find popping the stroller back and rolling down on the two back wheels makes it easier, but my little passenger gets a pretty good jolt every time (though he thinks it’s funny.)

Survived another day. Now off to the park to enjoy the sunshine!