[Editor’s Note: This article was written by guest writer, Kyle Fulmer.]
I have had a lot of great running partners over the years. After 11 years in the sport that is bound to happen. Big Red showed me the way — trails I never knew existed, words of wisdom that I didn’t want to hear, or believe. Amy, Nhut, Cris, Chris, and Efren were always down to run, as long as we started in the predawn darkness and got the business done in the early morning hours so they could go home and help with the kiddos. Maddie preferred to sleep in, but she pushed me to pick up the pace. No slacking for the slackers.
The author (fifth from left, white shirt), with his gang of running friends. All photos courtesy of Kyle Fulmer, unless otherwise noted.
But, I gotta’ say, my best training partner so far is my newest one. This new partner arrived a little over 10 months ago — a screaming, wailing, bundle of energy and stoke weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces, and measuring 21 inches long.
A friend of mine’s running coach told her several years ago that stroller running wasn’t real running. I kind of scoffed when I heard that the first time, but I had no frame of reference. My wife and I were married for 14 years before we were blessed with the arrival of our miracle baby. Many uneasy nights and years, not knowing if being parents was on the cards for us. Whether stroller running was real running or not, I wasn’t sure. But, I knew if I got the chance, I wanted to try!
Not running as much during the last calendar year was tough. For the first 10 years of my running career, I averaged right around 2,500 miles and 480 hours running per year. Most of these miles were with friends, and always in some pretty stunning locations. We are fortunate to live in Boulder, Colorado, and prior to this we lived in perpetually sunny Southern California. Running is most definitely a privilege.
For the first several months of Kellen’s life, I tried to run less and be attentive to needs around the house more. Last year, I logged 1,800 miles and 350 hours, and while not as much I as I was accustomed to, I felt fortunate to still be able to get out and enjoy my health and blessings and stay in relatively good shape.
To be able to have the time, money, and good fortune to go run whenever and wherever I want is a privilege not afforded to many. Now granted, I have only been employed part-time for the last year, as a run coach and marketing manager at Team RunRun, and we live very modestly, but to give up a little long-term wealth to be able to spend as much time as I can with our little dude is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
Quite a few of my buddies asked me to go on runs when the due date was approaching. Of course, I thought these guys just wanted to hang out and wish me luck with the new arrival, but what they really wanted to do was offload a dozen or so shopping bags of assorted baby clothes, toys, and other knickknacks that are now piled up in the corner of our basement. “Hey man, can you run again next week? I think we got some more stuff we can give you.” Oh sweet, I thought.
A New Way to Run
But, by far the sweetest gift we got was a now vintage Chariot Running Stroller. Made before Thule bought the company, you won’t find a single piece of plastic on the body of the stroller. It is all aluminum, aerodynamic as it gets, and the little one stays insulated in a vinyl wrapped cockpit, with a jet-pilot-like harness to keep him snug as a bug. The back of the seat is ventilated to allow for air to circulate, and the front vinyl cover can unzip to open a mesh panel for further breathability in the warmer months.
The author and son, Kellen, on a run with the Chariot.
Since its winter, we have been heading out in 20-ish degree Fahrenheit weather, no problem. I layer him up, throw on a beanie and some gloves, add in a down blanket, and he gets back to the house warm and well-slept.
When Mommy goes to work, he and I do our best to survive. Do we stand waiting at the door, longingly looking out the window waiting for Mom to come back home? Why, yes, we do. And, for the most part, now, survival mode doesn’t turn to outright desperation. But it does come close at times — especially at nap time! Hence, the introduction of the running stroller routine, the best nap-inducing contraption ever invented.
Five minutes out the door, and this guy is knocked out. We started out with 30-minute jogs, then 45, and now we routinely stay out for 80 to 90 minutes. Kellen sleeps for a solid 55 minutes on the dot every time. When he wakes up, I hear him start to coo and call out as we roll along. We live on the edge of Boulder proper, so within a mile or so we can be out on what feels like country roads visiting the local horses, cows, sheep, and one big pig.
Kellen headed out for a festive run in his Chariot.
After a year of struggling to get out for four miles or so of “boring” road running, I now can’t wait to get out and pound the same pavement over and over again. Kellen gets his nap, I get my run, and we are both pleasantly happy — at least for another hour or two. We also both get our protein shakes as a reward when we get home, both supplied by the Kirkland family of products. His protein and vitamins in a bottle with a nipple, and mine in a bottle with a shaker.
My good running bud Jesus Garcia said pushing his girls around got him in the best shape of his life. Silke Koester, who gave me the Chariot, said the same. And, so far, I gotta’ say, I might be echoing their sentiments in a few months. The Chariot and I have been putting in 25 or so miles a week together, and I have been putting in 50-plus miles total as a result. We mostly run the paved paths around Boulder, but the Chariot can handle gravel paths, and I actually enjoy finding hills to push the not-so-little guy up. I am getting a way better upper body stimulus from the stroller than I anticipated, mainly due to the fixed front wheel, as I have to do some pushing and lifting around twists and turns.
Some of the iRunFar testing team testing running strollers. Photo: iRunFar/Brianna Stockwell
Running form has also been an unexpected focus. I have battled overstriding for most of my adult running life, and with size 12.5 shoes and fairly long limbs, I have to focus on running upright and keeping my footfall right below me, as it should be. I focus on picking my feet up from the heels straight up, and getting them to hit the ground straight down. Slight forward lean, and do my best not to slam my knees into the Chariot. It hurts when they do, so that is a pain I rather not repeat often.
We have also been adding in our trusty strides, hill repeats, and bouts of interval tempos. I am not Steve Magness, I won’t be running a sub-five-minute mile with my Chariot any time soon, but we are covering lots of ground and it is fun. At 10 months old, I am not sure how much of this running makes sense to Kellen. But, I do know that getting him out in the natural world full of sights, sounds, colors, and life is vital to his development. And, I am proud of myself for modeling good behavior!
Being Grateful
The experience of the last few months of taking the boy out just about every day has been the most rewarding, and real running of my life. I don’t take any miles for granted any more, nor do I take the privilege of running for granted any more either. Running in general is a gift, running with my little boy is a gift, and the added boost to my training and fitness is a luxury.
With my third Hardrock 100 on the calendar this year, as well as runs at the Chuckanut 50k, Quad Rock 50 Mile, and North Fork 50 Mile, me and the Chariot have some work to do. But never have I been so confident that I can get the work done, and thrive. And really that “I” has turned into a “we.” We have so much to run for, to live for, and be grateful for. With that, it’s time to take the Chariot out for another run.
Getting behind the stroller for another run.
Call for Comments
- Have you tried stroller running?
- Tell us about your experience!
