I like running with Wesley. Let’s get that clear from the start. I like it and I hope I never have to stop. I hope as he gets older he’ll start riding his bike as I run and then as he gets even older he’ll run with me. I expect at some point he may even try to run me down in the car, but at least we’ll be spending time together.
But running with Wesley isn’t all car chases and fond memories. He adds his own special level of difficulty that I wouldn’t have expected. Some of it really isn’t his fault. His stroller is shaped like a big “V” with the opening facing forward. It is kind of like pushing a parachute. Add to that the additional weight and friction of pushing the stroller and it is harder than running alone. Pushing a stroller also screws up your stride and rhythm. You can’t swing your arms as you normally would and going uphill or through loose gravel is a real pain. But Wesley is not content with these natural and inevitable obstacles to smooth and fluid running.
Wesley tends to sit in his stroller leaning forward in “fully extended jumping jack” style. both arms are out as far as they can go, palms facing forward. He sticks his feet out the sides as well and generally leans so that he can get his head out past the stroller too. He has learned to create as much drag as possible. He has increased his surface area as much as possible. I’m sure it is a small amount, but still when you are tired and thirsty it just hurts your morale a bit. But I do love to watch his hair flitting in the wind especially as it gets longer. I can see the future already. You can see him pointing his toes and almost hear his brain thinking “If only I drag my foot on the ground”. So for now I’m happy that at least he can’t do that.
But the raw physics of Wesley’s, shall we say, additions to my workout, play only a small part. The true challenge is that of distraction. He doesn’t just sit there quietly catching air like a nice little drag chute. No, he needs attention. He has needs and those needs must be met now. First he wants things. A treat, a snack, a book, water. Picture me running, sweat in my eyes trying to open a pack of fruit snacks or a granola bar without dropping them while pushing a stroller. Once open I have to outrun the stroller to hand them off to Wesley.
The second half of the run is full of Wesley giving things to me. He’ll give me back the empty snack wrapper or water bottle. He’ll give back the books. He especially likes to take his shoes off and insist that I take them from him. He also likes to lose his pacifier at this point in the run and I have to try and find it. During the second half he tends to get a little anxious so we also talk, read books (he holds I read aloud) and sing songs. All in all not conducive to efficient running.
There are a few advantages though. The stroller holds my waterbottle so I stay well hydrated. I can pump myself up by saying things to Wesley like “Almost home!” or “Only 1 more mile!” and not look like a crazy person to people I’m running past. Plus when I run without the stroller it feels so good and easy that the longer runs go by much quicker. I’d say that running with Wesley is about 20% harder than without him. I tend to run 10% slower times and work at least 10% harder to get those slower times. I’m just glad that strollers are prohibited in the marathon or I might be tempted to try. It would be awesome, especially the four hours of singing “Moon, Moon, Moon.”
This is just one more way kids make us stronger! So there he is, coaching you; keeping you distracted from the pain, making sure you’re not working so hard you can’t talk, reminding you to drink water, etc… The singing while running is especially crafty of him; we did that in the army to maintain pace and regulate breathing! He’s brilliant! A natural coach.
You want a workout? Push me around in a “stroller”!
What doesn’t kill us….
D
did you get a new sleek runner stroller???
No new jogging stroller yet. I looked at the model I thought I wanted at REI when we were in Seattle. It was a transforming bike trailer/jogger. It was very good looking, but weighs about 50 pounds. Even empty on REI’s tile floor I had a hard time pushing it. So we are thinking of a standard double jogger. Probably off of Craigslist. No rush though, Jillian is still a few months away from being able to ride in it.
[...] had any injuries yet and I feel pretty good. Wesley is still enjoying it and I really like running with him. I might actually be able to do this [...]