This Is What It’s Really Like To Run With A Triple Stroller
One runner shares what it is like to run pushing—three!—children.
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If you’ve run with a stroller, you know that sometimes it can be quite the production, especially if you have to drive to a trail to run safely. Add the unpredictable nature of the little one sitting in that stroller and you’ve got yourself quite the experience. Here’s a little glimpse into our runs with a triple stroller:
4:45 am [Alarm sounds.] It is way too early. I’ll sleep in and we’ll go for a stroller run later. It’ll be great.
6:03 am [Baby cries.] Oh. This is not what I had in mind.
8:30 am “OK! Let’s do this! Everyone put your shoes on, we’re going to go up to the trail for a run.”
8:55 am Find everyone’s shoes, send them outside so I can focus on packing what I need to bring. Because if I don’t focus I’ll forget something: Snacks, diapers, water bottles, books, portable speaker, more snacks, wipes, extra clothes and underwear for the potty training one, towels, wallet, phone and I think we have everything.
9:27 am Crap. I wanted to leave at 9:00.
9:31 am Strap everyone in. Unload the crap in the back of the car. Haul triple stroller from the shed, shove into the back of the car.
10:05 am Arrive at the trail. Strap everyone into the stroller. Realize that I need to pee. Consider the best way to get to the bathroom that doesn’t involve leaving three children strapped in an unattended stroller (because the triple doesn’t fit through the bathroom door) or in an unattended car. Picture the effort of unbuckling everyone from their seats, herding them into the bathroom, hovering over the potty while holding an infant and telling the others to keep their hands in their pockets and not touch anything. Wonder if I really have to go that bad. Consider holding it until we get to the more wooded area of the trail. The woods will have to do.
10:06 am Start running.
My Girl: “Mom, how long are we going?”
Me: “Just to the turn-around and back.”
MG: “Will we stop at the playground on the way back?”
Me: Huff. “Sure.” Puff.
Huff. Puff. Huff. Puff.
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MG: “Mom, what is the hottest continent?”
Me: “I (huff) don’t (puff) know.”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
My Boy: “What’s that?”
Me: “What’s (huff) what?”
MB: “That!”
Me: “I’m not (huff) sure (puff) what you’re talking about (huff).”
MB: “That thing over there!”
MG: “I think he’s talking about that thing over there.” [Points helpfully.]
Me: “That’s a (huff) old railroad (puff) sign.”
MB: “Oh.”
MG: “Mom, what’s the coldest continent?”
Me: “Um (huff) Antarctica (puff) I think?”
MG: “Why don’t you know?”
Me: “I don’t know sweetie.”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MB: “KING BOB!!!!!!!!!!”
[Jump a little in the air.]
Me: “Buddy, (huff) please (puff) don’t yell like (puff) that you scared (huff) the pants off me.”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MB: “You have no pants?”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MG: “Mom, the baby is asleep.”
Me: “Okay, good.” At least he’s un-phased by King Bob.
MB: “Why is their garage door open?”
Me: “I don’t (huff) know.”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MB: “How come we’re not going fast?”
Me: “Guys! I can’t (huff) go fast when (puff) I’m talking. If you want me (huff) to go faster I have (puff) to stop talking.”
Silence.
Plod. Plod. Plod.
I have to pee. [Looks around at woods and empty trail. Duck behind stroller.]
MB: “Mommy? What are you doing?”
Me: “Just dumping out my water.” Sort of. That’s sort of true.
“Ok! Here we go.”
Plod. Plod. Plod.
MB: “Mommy, I like it out here.”
Me: “Me too, buddy. Me too.”
Read More:
What To Know About Pacing While Running With A Stroller
8 Stroller Running Tips For New Mother Runners