[jebba]

Saturday was the yearly 5k at the Nashville Zoo. Last year I ran it in 44 mintues when I was 7 motnhs pregnant and pushing my daughter in the stroller. This year I decided to run it again just for fun, again pushing my daughter in the stroller. The baby was going to sit this one out. The race goes throught he zoo and behind some of the outbuildings and is half on pavement, half on dirt. It's not flat, and there are several sharp turns on course.<br><br>
Although I told myself it was just for fun, I was still hoping to get a decent (kind fast) workout from the race. But I started in the waaaaay back because I had a stroller.<br><br>
Even by mile two, I was still having to break suddenly so as not to mow down walkers or slower runners. When I got a small stretch of space, I ran too fast to make up distance and time. I found myself getting annoyed at being boxed in by people the whole time. Miss Sunshine tried to carry on a conversation the entire time, and I was distracted and occasionally winded. It is also incredibly hard to make a sharp, tight turn with a jogging stroller. My triceps are sore. I finished in 32:57.<br><br>
I should have just taken it very easy, jogged, and chatted with Miss Sunshine the whole way. She was dressed as a dalmation dog, and enjoyed watching some of the other runners dressed as animals, too. Next year I'll wear a costume and remember the fun part.

 

[VictorN]

I can't imagine "racing" with a jogger. I think if you are running with a jogger you are by definition running for fun.<br><br>
Victor

 

[Boyerdavea]

That is a pretty respectable time for a 5K with a stroller and avoiding other runners/walker. Great and glad you had fun.

 

[Korbel]

People who race with strollers are my heroes. I do not care what kind of time they post and you posted a great one!<br><br>
congrats!!

 

[ForceD]

jebba – good job pushing the stroller. It’s been a few years since I last pushed a stroller on a run, but I use to push my kids in races too. A couple of times, in races with small fields, I actually placed in my age-group while pushing the stroller. I reasoned that I would over compensate for the stroller’s resistance…and the fact that I had started the race at the back of the pack. My very friendly son would get into conversations too…but with other runners as I passed them. He’d tell me to slow down.<br><br>
Dan

 

[jebba]

I that's just it. There's a time for racing, and a time for having a good time. Next time I'll do a better job of having a good time.

 

[Nirvana91]

I was racing a half marathon last year and I remember getting passed by a guy who was pushing a full sized man in a wheelchair. I was running pretty quickly at that time (7 minute pace or so), and I was completely AMAZED that he was able to run so fast while pushing somebody. I'd imagine it's pretty similar with a stroller. Anybody that is willing to compete at such a disadvantage has got to have some mental toughness.<br><br>
I can definitely see how navigating through the crowds would be frustrating though! Maybe next time give the kid a bell or something so other people know you're coming and can get out of the way!

 

[Opie]

Well, there's only one way to find out! I had an ego-check experience like Nirvana91 once with one of those jogging strollers. Could you average your time between you and the baby since you sort of ran it together?<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[lkschiller]

That's a great time jebba. The last and only 10K I have done so far, there were at least two dads pushing strollers who passed me (I finished in 50:59, fast for me but they were much faster, stroller and all!), and one of them was pushing a twin stroller!

 

[ForceD]

Those of you who’ve been passed by strollers…don’t let it bother you too much. In my opinion pushing the stroller on a smooth, flat, level course adds only negligible resistance. On my stroller I adjusted the wheels so that it’d roll perfectly straight. When running I’d let it roll independently using its momentum and just give it a nudge every several steps (I had a 6 ft length of small rope tied to it and my wrist so that it couldn’t get away from me). The tough part was running UP hills.<br><br>
Dan

 

[dromedary]

hey jebba, you rock pushing a stroller - I see people with strollers passing me all the time on a 5K!

 

[ZackZenko]

lol that's a pretty B.A time for not hitting anyone with your stroller. I can't imagine running while pregant. Hell,I can't imagine being pregnant.. but that might be because I lack the proper parts<br><br>
My old coach would love you. On levels of being B.A, that's probably a 9. He was about a 9 when he raced with his stroller, a 5k.. 17:04<br><br>
Next time you do a run for 'fun' with a stroller, consider attaching spikes to the tires to cut off the legs of your competition (like a chariot)

 

[Econo]

I want to congratulate you on a great time despite crowded conditions!<br><br>
But on the other hand, I can't help but say that strollers are difficult to maneuver around on crowded race courses. Ditto for people with dogs on leashes. On the other hand, both of those are nothing compared to the "we're running/walking 4 abreast and nobody can get around us" groups.<br><br>
Jus' grumpy today. <img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif">

 

[merigayle]

PICTURES!!!!!!! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Love to see the costume <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
You did awesome. There is a guy local here, who i see all the time on my long runs, pushing a double jogging stroller, many times uphill, there is nothing more hard core and bad ass than that!!!!!!!

 

[JJJessee]

<img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif"><img alt="icon_salut.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_salut.gif"><br><br>
Last year's pushing 1, carrying and breathing for another, in a 5k,<br>
THAT'S just plain tough, mental or otherwise.<br><br>
Your grandchildren will love these stories.<br>
Congrats and a good race.<br>
You're a tough momma<br>
that's for sure.<br>
jjj

 

[hup]

I could have sworn that I had already posted in this thread <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"> Man, I'm an old fart.<br><br><br>
jebba, it doesn't sound like that was the easiest course to push a stroller on. You did great, and as Jesse said, you made a memory. Miss Sunshine's recollection will be of the fun she had <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Take care<br>
hup