Pace with vs without a jogging stroller

[niq]

Does anyone have a sense of how much slower they are with a jogging stroller? I see posts on forums saying it slows you down by about a minute per mile, which sounds crazy high to me. FWIW I'm using the BOB Revolution, but I don't lock the front wheel.

Pro tip for newbies to jogging stroller, I'm definitely faster when I lightly push the stroller ahead of me rather than hold onto the crossbar.

[archaeominx]

I know I was slower while pushing mine, but I was also pushing two kids, I ran with them in the double jogger until they were about 3 or 4 yrs old.

I do want to highly recommend locking your swivel wheel while you are running. Mine came undone once while running, the swivel wheel jammed and the stroller jack-knifed, I was thrown over the side of it into traffic while trying to get control of the stroller. The stroller was also flipped upside down into the road and my kids were hanging by the harnesses.

[texassmith]

I slow down by 30-45 seconds.

Please lock your front wheel, and also use the tether strap that came with it. You could seriously injure (or worse) yourself or your child if you don't take those precautions.

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[hi725]

Holy shit. I have never locked the wheel on my BOB. I could not figure out why I was supposed to and it seemed like the stroller was more manageable with it unlocked. This just scared the crap out of me! I will be locking mine from now on.

[niq]

I could believe 0:30/mi. I use the tether strap, and I only run on paved, flat surfaces that are only open to pedestrians. Even if I locked the wheel I'd be too terrified to do anything more than that.

I don't understand how I'm supposed to take a anything remotely resembling a curve (and there are a number of those on my regular route) with the wheel locked?

[archaeominx]

Feb 20, 2014 20:10:50 GMT -5 hi725 said:

Holy shit. I have never locked the wheel on my BOB. I could not figure out why I was supposed to and it seemed like the stroller was more manageable with it unlocked. This just scared the crap out of me! I will be locking mine from now on.

If you are just walking with it, then it isn't as imperative to lock the wheel.  I was running pretty quickly when the lock latch came undone.  And on that note, I would suggest checking the wheel fairly often.  The front wheel on mine attached just like a bike wheel would and I should have checked it more frequently (how tight the screws were, etc).  My accident trashed the whole front end assembly of the wheel.  If anyone is curious, my stroller was a Baby Trend brand.  They were awesome when I called them about it to get replacement parts to fix it.  Even though I feel it was my error with not checking the settings, they over-nighted a new assembly to me at no charge.

[texassmith]

Feb 20, 2014 20:23:21 GMT -5 niq said:

I could believe 0:30/mi. I use the tether strap, and I only run on paved, flat surfaces that are only open to pedestrians. Even if I locked the wheel I'd be too terrified to do anything more than that.

I don't understand how I'm supposed to take a anything remotely resembling a curve (and there are a number of those on my regular route) with the wheel locked?

It's not just about where you run. A nearby car could swerve and when you react instinctively, its safer to have the wheel locked so the stroller doesn't swerve or flip. It doesn't even have to be a car. A person, an animal, anything could startle you causing you to jostle or get off your stride, tipping the stroller.

You can guide the stroller on gentle curves just by putting pressure on certain parts of the handlebar. You'll have to pop a wheelie on the rear wheels to make a 90 degree turn.

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[archaeominx]

Feb 20, 2014 20:23:21 GMT -5 niq said:

I could believe 0:30/mi. I use the tether strap, and I only run on paved, flat surfaces that are only open to pedestrians. Even if I locked the wheel I'd be too terrified to do anything more than that.

I don't understand how I'm supposed to take a anything remotely resembling a curve (and there are a number of those on my regular route) with the wheel locked?

I was running on a flat paved surface when we jack-knifed.  Lock the wheel!  If you are moving straight, that is when the swivel is more likely to jam and start to shimmy.  

You lean into a curve to turn and use the bars to make the turn, I put weight on it to raise the front a little to make the turn.  If I can do this with about 70 pounds of twins and a 20 pound stroller, you to can do this.

[niq]

Feb 20, 2014 20:27:26 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Feb 20, 2014 20:23:21 GMT -5 niq said:

I could believe 0:30/mi. I use the tether strap, and I only run on paved, flat surfaces that are only open to pedestrians. Even if I locked the wheel I'd be too terrified to do anything more than that.

I don't understand how I'm supposed to take a anything remotely resembling a curve (and there are a number of those on my regular route) with the wheel locked?

It's not just about where you run. A nearby car could swerve and when you react instinctively, its safer to have the wheel locked so the stroller doesn't swerve or flip. It doesn't even have to be a car. A person, an animal, anything could startle you causing you to jostle or get off your stride, tipping the stroller.

You can guide the stroller on gentle curves just by putting pressure on certain parts of the handlebar. You'll have to pop a wheelie on the rear wheels to make a 90 degree turn.

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So, once more, with feeling, there are no cars. Bikers and rollerbladers are rare, but I always run in the opposite direction that they're moving. Okay, people do have dogs, I could see that being problematic. I always use two hands when I see anything remotely risky.

I am trying not to troll here, I swear. I genuinely don't understand how this is a safer option if there's no traffic to swerve into. Today a schoolage kid darted in front of me, and I had to cut the wheel sharply to avoid him. If I had had the wheel locked I couldn't have done that. Stopping short and/or engaging the emergency brake seems genuinely less safe for everyone involved. Popping a wheelie to take a turn is safer? Seriously?!?!

[archaeominx]

Yes, leaning back on the stroller so the weight goes on the rear wheels is a safer option. I say this from the experience of having the wheel unlock and jam on me, thus throwing me over the handlebars (off the safety of the nice wide sidewalk I was on) and into traffic. And ALSO throwing my kids into traffic. And even if there hadn't been any cars, if I was in a park blocked to all vehicular traffic, the same thing could have happened. My twins were 18 months old when this happened, other than the major road rash and bruising I experienced, we were BEYOND LUCKY that that three of us did not have worse injuries.

So, once more, with feeling, please take MY pro tip to newbies to always keep the swivel wheel locked while running.

[texassmith]

Feb 20, 2014 20:47:28 GMT -5 niq said:

Feb 20, 2014 20:27:26 GMT -5 texassmith said:

It's not just about where you run. A nearby car could swerve and when you react instinctively, its safer to have the wheel locked so the stroller doesn't swerve or flip. It doesn't even have to be a car. A person, an animal, anything could startle you causing you to jostle or get off your stride, tipping the stroller.

You can guide the stroller on gentle curves just by putting pressure on certain parts of the handlebar. You'll have to pop a wheelie on the rear wheels to make a 90 degree turn.

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So, once more, with feeling, there are no cars. Bikers and rollerbladers are rare, but I always run in the opposite direction that they're moving. Okay, people do have dogs, I could see that being problematic. I always use two hands when I see anything remotely risky.

I am trying not to troll here, I swear. I genuinely don't understand how this is a safer option if there's no traffic to swerve into. Today a schoolage kid darted in front of me, and I had to cut the wheel sharply to avoid him. If I had had the wheel locked I couldn't have done that. Stopping short and/or engaging the emergency brake seems genuinely less safe for everyone involved. Popping a wheelie to take a turn is safer? Seriously?!?!

Yes. It is safer. But you seem dead set on doing it your way, so I wish you luck with that.

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[runblondie26]

Typically 30-45 seconds (single stroller) depending on the hills.

[cinco]

When I was running with the jogging stroller regularly, I was about 30 seconds off my pace, sometimes a little more in a hilly area. I went out this week for the first time in many months, and it was closer to a minute off. I need to get my groove back with the stroller.

[jamalynn]

Feb 20, 2014 21:13:46 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Typically 30-45 seconds (single stroller) depending on the hills.

This!  I am used to doing it with the duallie and that is even worse. 1 minute slower. 

[niq]

Feb 20, 2014 20:57:27 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Feb 20, 2014 20:47:28 GMT -5 niq said:

So, once more, with feeling, there are no cars. Bikers and rollerbladers are rare, but I always run in the opposite direction that they're moving. Okay, people do have dogs, I could see that being problematic. I always use two hands when I see anything remotely risky.

I am trying not to troll here, I swear. I genuinely don't understand how this is a safer option if there's no traffic to swerve into. Today a schoolage kid darted in front of me, and I had to cut the wheel sharply to avoid him. If I had had the wheel locked I couldn't have done that. Stopping short and/or engaging the emergency brake seems genuinely less safe for everyone involved. Popping a wheelie to take a turn is safer? Seriously?!?!

Yes. It is safer. But you seem dead set on doing it your way, so I wish you luck with that.

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Suppose I lock the wheel. What is the safe thing to do in the situation that came up today? Fall down? Let go of the crossbar and stop myself in one stride? Just clip the kid and keep going?

[archaeominx]

Have you even tried running with the wheel locked? I've had people dodge in front of me, I just simply stop running, same as I would do even if I weren't pushing the stroller if I didn't think I could turn out of the way. I promise it is really not that hard to turn the stroller by putting the pressure on the back wheels. Are you taking that many 90 degree angles while running with a stroller that you have to be able to turn it on a dime? Maybe it's easier to disperse the weight on a double vs a single, I'm assuming someone else here can weigh in on that factor but really, it's pretty easy to turn, even with the swivel lock in place. I highly doubt texassmith was suggesting you just stop and let the stroller roll off in the wind, come on.


I feel I should mention this is a hot button issue with me after the accident we had, which is why I keep coming back to this.

[kams]

I also recommend locking the front wheel. The reason they make a wheel that unlocks on some models of joggers is so that the stroller can be used for things other than running (that is to say, the wheel is intended to always be locked for running).


I'm about 30 secs off unless it's hilly.

[breezy8407]

I am about 45 seconds per mile slower - I have a BOB Duallie with two kiddos. This is the one I have:

www.amazon.com/BOB-Utility-Duallie-Stroller-Orange/dp/B004DC9TEY/ref=pd_cp_ba_2

The Ironman model also comes with a fixed wheel.

My model only has a fixed wheel. We walk and run with it with no issue. I was always of the understanding it was safer to run with the wheel fixed. Maybe it explains it in the user manual.

[texassmith]

Feb 20, 2014 22:42:19 GMT -5 niq said:

Feb 20, 2014 20:57:27 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Yes. It is safer. But you seem dead set on doing it your way, so I wish you luck with that.

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Suppose I lock the wheel. What is the safe thing to do in the situation that came up today? Fall down? Let go of the crossbar and stop myself in one stride? Just clip the kid and keep going?

Just stop running. No need to let go of anything.

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[chw57]

I've never run with the wheel unlocked and I take corners and everything... It's really easy if you get used to it. I'm about 30 seconds per mile slower

[emuni04]

45ish seconds, maybe? I feel like I'm 2 minutes/mile slower the whole time, though. Stroller running is hard, or I am just a huge wuss.

[gumi]

When I ran regularly with my double stroller, I ran faster. But then I had a hard time running without it (I changed my gait to be a more efficient stroller runner). Now a days, it slows me down a whole minute, but then again, I am pushing nearly 100 pounds of kids.

Funny story - the other day we ran to Costco to buy onions and the extra 10 pounds put us over the BOB weight limit and we returned with three flat tires.

Anyway, I have the Ironman, which is only meant for running, and the wheel does not unlock. When I have pushed my kids' friends in a stroller with an unlocked wheel, it feels uncomfortable and unstable to me. I think when 99% of people + the manufacturer share a safety tip, it's not worth debating except to be stubborn.

[katinthehat]

Feb 20, 2014 22:42:19 GMT -5 niq said:

Feb 20, 2014 20:57:27 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Yes. It is safer. But you seem dead set on doing it your way, so I wish you luck with that.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using proboards

Suppose I lock the wheel. What is the safe thing to do in the situation that came up today? Fall down? Let go of the crossbar and stop myself in one stride? Just clip the kid and keep going?

Just stop running and pull back on the stroller. 

[niq]

I tried jogging with the wheel locked. it when I got the stroller a month ago, turns seemed unwieldy

I tried a couple of turns today with the wheel locked. I think my problem is that the front wheel is not aligned. left hand turns are fine, right handed, not so much. The manual has instructions on how to fix it.

I also tried simulating a fast stop. There's no way I could have avoided hitting the kid. I would have had to simply slow to a walk when I saw a group of kids in front of me.

[niq]

moty jogging the other way, not holding the crossbar, no wrist strap. We can all judge HER, amirite?

[gumi]

Feb 21, 2014 12:47:00 GMT -5 niq said:

moty jogging the other way, not holding the crossbar, no wrist strap. We can all judge HER, amirite?

i shudder to think how people have judged me in the 3+ years i have ran with my kids, LOL.  


i think just like when i run with an unfixed wheel it feels really weird to me, it will feel weird to you to run with a fixed wheel until you get used to it.  I never had a problem stopping, even on roller blades (example 1 of when i was probably judged, ha!)

[runblondie26]

Feb 21, 2014 12:54:57 GMT -5 gumi said:

i shudder to think how people have judged me in the 3+ years i have ran with my kids, LOL.  


i think just like when i run with an unfixed wheel it feels really weird to me, it will feel weird to you to run with a fixed wheel until you get used to it.  I never had a problem stopping, even on roller blades (example 1 of when i was probably judged, ha!)

As if you weren't a really talented athelete already. Gah, rub it in