Racing with a stroller

[grk2012]

Many races I've looked at say if you're running with a jogging stroller, you have to start behind everyone--including walkers--for the sake of safety. Whose, exactly? The people I will be mowing down as soon as we start? My own, as I wreck my knees trying to dodge them all? I don't understand this.

While I don't plan on *winning* the dang thing I am able to clock a steady mid-8 pace pushing DS. I would line up appropriately, as I do with every other race I run.

Can someone who regularly stroller-races enlighten me? Gumi, runblondie...?

[gumi]

here is the thing: you can start in the front or start in the back. if you start in the front, you need to make sure are not going to slow anyone down. the problem with the starting midpack is clipping people's heels if it is crowded.

i try to pick small races. if its real small, i can simply ask those in the front what their pace is and position myself correctly. if its more of a medium size race, i start off to the side as much as i can. no one wants to run the outside of the course since it makes it longer - so its a great place for a stroller. make sure the race you choose is on a wide road so that you are able to do this.

you can see us doing it here - once i passed everyone i was able to move to the inside.



i am considering doing a race in a few weeks that has a reversed wave start (oldest/slow people first - and then young/fast people try to catch them). i think the strollers get to start in the "slow" wave...something like that is perfect.
ive heard about races actually having a stroller division but ive never been able to find one.

[grk2012]

Yes, having the slower runners go first makes more sense to me, too. Thanks for the tips!

[runblondie26]

So this is where the party moved to! I was wondering where all the Nesties went.

Exactly what Gumi said I try to stage my self amongst the appropriate pace group, but as close to the outside as possible. That way I'm still going with the flow, but the masses can pass through the the middle without me blocking them if I've really mis-gauged the pace.

Good luck with your race!

[grk2012]

Glad you found us!

[gumi]

May 15, 2012 10:48:27 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

So this is where the party moved to! I was wondering where all the Nesties went.

Exactly what Gumi said I try to stage my self amongst the appropriate pace group, but as close to the outside as possible. That way I'm still going with the flow, but the masses can pass through the the middle without me blocking them if I've really mis-gauged the pace.

Good luck with your race!

I feel like you have been MIA in general. Not acceptable!

[runblondie26]

Hehe, thanks ladies.

Between the early springtime heat, humidity, and allergies this is my "off-season" right now. Man, has running been tough. Plus we've been traveling a lot on weekends. I feel like I haven't had much to contribute.

Catching up on my board/blog reading, and y'all have been having some awesome races latley! I definitely need to hang out more often. Maybe some of that can rub off