Jogging Strollers are Overrated

Upon the birth of my now 14-month old daughter, I couldn't wait to take her out for a run with Daddy in a new jogging stroller. Within a month or two of her birth, I spent hours online researching the various brands and features, thought about and planned the best and least bumpy route to explore, and imagined how special the bonding would be between us.

Whoops.

Of all the baby items purchased, I think the jogging stroller has been the least utilized. Despite going out for a run on nearly 100 occasions since June 2006, I've used the jogging stroller maybe...maybe...three times. While it might be a helpful tool for some Moms and Dads to get their kid outdoors, my experience leads me to believe that most serious runners will not find a jogging stroller useful or practical.

Short Jaunts Not Long Runs

Trust me, you're not going to take your kid out for a run that's more than 20-30 minutes. She'll start to get antsy, you'll start to get annoyed by the constant tinkering with the steering, and you'll feel new body tweaks and cramps from the altered jogging form. Runs of an hour or longer are out of the question.

Not the Same Escape

Running has been one of my escape methods...my break from work, society, and the stressors of life. Pushing a 20 lbs., 3-wheeled, stroller with a precious baby riding shotgun completely alters my state of mind. I cannot simply zone out. There are holes, bumps and dog piles to look out for; I need to monitor my baby's happiness; I have to obey all traffic signals and be keenly aware of automobiles; I cannot run on a busy street; of course, music headphones are out of the question...you get the idea.

Fun For the Little One?

My girl likes to walk, run and stomp on her own two feet. She even prefers walking to riding in her Ferrari-like Bugaboo walking stroller. Sure, she gets an immediate rush from "high speed" pushing in the jogger, but after 20 minutes, I know she's bored and would much rather be pushing Daddy through the 'hood.

This Dad's recommendation: Save the $300 to $400 and spend it on her first bike.