Friday, August 16, 2013

Flashback Friday: Winning the Stroller Wars

About a month and a half ago, you provided some suggestions for a running stroller, here and here. Actually, after going back to look at those comments, only one of you gave any real advice. So, thank you, Jess, for all your help, but it was my coworker who came through with the winner.

The Kelty Speedster Swivel Deluxe gets mostly positive reviews. It retails for between $300 to $400, well above my $200 cap, but my coworker, an avid runner and cyclist, sold me his for $50. He says his daughter is too heavy to push up hills now, and he wanted to clear out some space, no doubt to make room for more child-related accessories. WHY DO THEY NEED SO MUCH STUFF?

He also tried to pass off a bunch of other crap that he didn't feel like taking to Goodwill, but I put the kibosh on that shit. Nice offer, but we already had trouble filling up our registry for the baby shower next month. Besides, don't tell me that baby bath didn't have poop and pee on it at some point. Babies are terrible about holding in their bodily excretions. Do. Not. Want.

So, now that we have the running stroller, what the hell do I do with it? Running parents, I need you to answer my questions:
  • When can I start running with the baby?
  • How long can I reasonably run?
  • What do I need to take with me?
  • How do I avoid being that asshole with the running stroller who's in your way?
  • How do I become that asshole with the running stroller who's passing you?
These things I must know! Any other helpful hints are welcome too. 

That's enough for today. It's been a long and arduous week. Let's get to the weekend. 

Happy Hour is nearly upon us, teammates! Run well and drink well. Cheers!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My question is how does that thing perform on the Buckeye Trail?

Jess said...

Sweet deal. It's always smart to hit up friends with kids for hand me downs.

As for the "when," that kinda varies depending on who you ask. I waited until Norah was 6 months old, but then I went with Caleb when he was about 3 months old, and I propped him up in there with some extra receiving blankets on the sides. How far depends on your kid. Some people seem to have kids with an eternity of tolerance and I've read posts from people who manage double digits with kids in strollers. Mine never lasted more than 30 minutes (which is about 3 miles for me). Up until about a year, you really don't need much, but then after that: snacks, drinks, music, small toys. Good luck being the person who passes; pushing a jogging stroller is no joke.