Couch to 5K Running Program (C25K)

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wordyroo
wordyroo Posts: 98 Member
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Hello there! I've been off and on MFP for a few years. I'm on Week 4 of C25K and trying to kick myself into gear with logging calories. So I'm looking for a little support in general. I'd love to add some friends, too, if anyone needs another friend. :-)

Question: Is anyone else jogging while pushing a stroller? While I managed to complete W4D1, it was rough and I am sooooooore today. I can't seem to get my stride right while pushing the stroller. It's so much easier without the added resistance and being able to move my arms. Does anyone have any tips for doing C25K with a little buddy who is along for the ride?

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  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I did some of it with a double stroller. It's harder, but it's worth being able to get the runs in. Running with one arm so that you can use the other is a trick that many runners use. Take smaller steps. Keep your arms bent at about 90 degrees. The real answer, though, is that your body will figure it out if you just run for long enough.

    Congratulations on getting to Week 4 and having the commitment to do it with a passenger!
  • wordyroo
    wordyroo Posts: 98 Member
    Thanks! I'll give that a shot, though I'm uncoordinated enough that I'll probably end up smashing the free hand into the stroller. :laugh:
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    On my run yesterday (without the stroller) I realized that much of the difference now is my core muscles. I automatically engage them now, which makes running with the stroller much, much easier.
  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    I am soooo glad you asked this question!

    I was going to post the same thing, and I just happened to run across this post. We ran W6/D1 with our son in a jogging stroller for the first time. It was HARD! I thought we were just going to breeze through it and I found we had to switch back and forsth because after the first run my fiance was feeling the difference. I took over after the second one and it was way different than running without. I am sure it is a posture thing, and I am just not sure how to do it "correctly".

    We'd like to take him with us when we run the 5Ks we have signed up for so we thought we would use weeks 6-8 to get acclimated to the stroller. Good thing we started early!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Also, make sure that your tires are completely pumped up.
  • wordyroo
    wordyroo Posts: 98 Member
    Running with one arm pumping definitely helped. I'm going to have to change my route for the longer runs, though. I keep hitting steep inclines on the runs and can barely get up them. In fact, I hurt one ankle running on them, so I'm scouting areas that are flatter in my neighborhood while I rest my ankle.

    I'll have to check my tires. I did air them up before starting C25K, but with the crazy weather swings in the midwest, they may have gone a little flat. Thanks!

    Glad to see I'm not alone, JoelleAnn!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Running up hills with a stroller is awful. Running downhill? LEAN in to that sucker and let yourself go (pray that nobody steps out in front of you). You did the work...let yourself feel the benefit too.
  • wordyroo
    wordyroo Posts: 98 Member
    Oh yeah, I love the downhill parts, but there seem to be fewer of them. It's possible that my neighborhood is uphill both ways, right? :laugh:

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