Running with Wheels: Tips for Using a Double Jogging Stroller

I’m currently training for marathon #4 and before the start of training, my husband and I bought a double jogger so that I could run with my kiddos. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with my double, but it wasn’t without some learning and adjusting. Even though I’ve been using a single jogger with my daughter since she was a baby, a double jogger is a different animal.

So if you’re toying with the idea of running with a double jogger, I encourage you to go for it! If you are nervous or unsure how to get started, here are some things I’ve learned to hopefully ease you into the adventure.

1)      Be prepared.

Make sure your babies stay entertained. On most runs, I’ll bring a toy for each, a blanket, a water bottle for my daughter, and small snacks. Add a water bottle for yourself, cell phone, tissues, and keys, and it turns into quite a load. Luckily, most strollers have sufficient storage to hold everything.

Running with your children requires a lot more than lacing up and heading out the door, so give yourself plenty of time beforehand to dress them, change diapers, and buckle them in, just as if you were taking them on any outing.

2)      Short and slow is the way to go.

Running with a double is no joke. By the time I add the weight of my children to the weight of the stroller, I am pushing an extra 77 pounds around (or more!). It may seem obvious that you’ll be slower, but it can be hard to accept. Don’t get discouraged! Start at a slower pace you can maintain and don’t try to be as fast as you are on solo outings. Don’t rush into heavy mileage. Even a mile or two is a great place to start. And if you walk, that’s okay, too. There is no shame in that game.

3)      Watch your posture.
One of the things that I am guilty of is pushing down on the handle bar instead of simply pushing forward. Do not do this! It requires extra effort, changes your posture to a hunch and turns your gait into a floppy-footed slog. Simply use your grip to push the stroller forward and work to maintain an upright posture, without hunching forward and leaning your weight on the stroller. This can be hard, but an important habit to establish.

4)      Hills are killer.
Pittsburgh’s notorious hills make any run interesting, but with a double jogger they become a new level of exercise. Take your time going uphill- expect to be slow- and try to maintain an upright posture. Don’t be fooled by the downhill. While your stroller may be ready for a speedy free-for-all, work to keep control on the way down. If your stroller has one, utilize your hand brake to help control speed.

5)      Stops happen.

Unless your children take naps during the run (mine rarely do), be ready for stops. Whether it’s to hand them food, pick up the toy they dropped that you just leaped over, or remedy the debacle of your son continuously stealing your daughter’s toy, there’s bound to be things that will keep your run from being one smooth ride. Try not to get frustrated; it’s much easier to accept the inevitable stopping at the start and go with the flow.

6)      Enjoy it!

This is a workout, yes, but it’s also some fun time with your kiddos! I don’t use headphones when I run with a stroller. I want to be alert to my children, but I also take the advice my aunt gave me when I was just starting out: that instead of headphones, she let her daughters’ chattering be her radio. I love this. My daughter is obsessed with dogs and every time we pass one, she shouts “more! dog!” She calls out the colors of passing cars and talks on her toy phone. My son squeals and giggles at the wind in his face. It’s so much more than just a run, so enjoy it!     

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Jesse Hartwich
Jesse, originally from outside of Philadelphia, moved to Pittsburgh three years ago and now lives in the South Hills. She is married to her adorably nerdy husband whom she met in junior high and together they have a one-year-old daughter, Riley, and a baby son, Jordan. A writer by schooling and profession, Jesse graduated from Susquehanna University and has worked as a copywriter/editor for several major retailers. She now stays home with her children but continues to write for herself, both fiction and her own blog (www.RunningOnAverage.com).