I have a lot of awesome running buddies but this one is definitely tops the charts (sorry friends)! Baby R has joined me for a few stroller runs now and so far she loves it. Or I assume so because she basically just sleeps the whole time.
It is important to note that its recommended to wait 6 or more months before running with a baby. However, I consulted our doctor, a chiropractor, and an athletic therapist about how to run safely with her at 3.5 months. I’m a very cautious person but I am comfortable with our setup. I’ve made sure her head and neck are stable, we stick to running on smooth surfaces at a leisurely pace, and I keep a close eye on her through our runs. Please do your own research this subject and consult your doctor if you plan to run with your baby.
Before purchasing a running stroller, I polled my Facebook friends and researched models online. There were two clear favourites, the BOB and the Chariot. Based on testimonials and Craigslist ads, both the BOB and the Chariot seem to have very long lifespans and good resale value.
The major pros to the BOB are people love it as a regular stroller and you can switch between fixed or non-fixed front wheel (on some models). The fixed wheel is great for running in straight-ish lines, but I think the non-fixed wheel would be more maneuverable on trails.
What appealed to me about the Chariot is that it sits lower to the ground and is easier to see in and over. It also has built-in mesh and rain covers as well as a sun visor flap. With the mesh cover zipped up, your child’s toys and snacks won’t fly out. Despite being mostly waterproof, it still has a mesh back and some mesh in the sides for air flow (phew!). You can also get bike and even ski attachments for it, however I didn’t want to base my decision on that because I’m not sure that I would use it for those purposes.
My husband and I checked out both strollers in stores, gave them a push around, and decided to go for the Chariot. We made the mistake of looking at new models of Chariots (now made by Thule) at the store. They were amazing but also more expensive than our first car (a lot of things are though – it was only $400 and lasted only slightly longer than you would expect).
I perused Craigslist for a while but when i saw this one posted, we snatched it up right away! It is an older model that was brand new with tags still on it. I felt a bit bad that the reason the previous owner was selling it was that she tore or ACL right after buying it a couple years ago – I also hoped it wasn’t jinxed!
So far I am loving it! The only downside is the attachments are fairly expensive. A friend had given us the bivvy that fits smaller babies and keeps them in a horizontal position. I’ve also already purchased the infant sling and baby support to use as she grows.