Meet BOB

One of the hardest things about trying to run when you have kids is simply finding the time. Yes, yes, I know - run before they get up, or when they go to bed, or on a treadmill - well that's all very well and good but my hubby leaves for work at 5.30 am so that's just a stupid idea and we although I love our house we certainly don't have any where to plonk a treadmill! Now, that said, my son does go to nursery in the afternoons so to try and make squeezing a run in more doable I recently invested in a running buggy - and here he is... meet BOB!





Now, finding BOB was a bit of a nightmare. I'm pretty skint so buying a new running buggy wasn't an option and finding a second hand one proved to be tricky - they are so in demand they weren't going for much less than new ones - often going for £150-200. Luckily for me I'm part of a fantastic running group and once I put a message out that I was looking someone soon came back with this little bad boy and at a really reasonable price too.  The prior owner also mentioned she'd run her best ever 10k with it at 45 minutes (I can't run 10k in 45 minutes WITHOUT a buggy so er... no pressure....).

The next obstacle then is to actually run with it. Initially I did wonder if it was a silly idea, I'm only a beginner as it is and throwing a buggy in the mix might be a recipe for disaster, injury and more walking than running. Thankfully, on the two runs I've done so far I've been pleasantly surprised - turns out it's not that much harder (although definitely an added challenge).  Yesterday we ran the 1.8 miles to pick up my eldest in a little under 22 mins - clocking a pace of 11.25. Not bad given the extra weight load and best of all baby girl loved it - chatting away in baby talk the whole way round!

I do have these tips for anyone considering buying a running buggy:

1) Do it.

2) Definitely do it.

3) Try running with one hand on while the other arm continues you're usual swinging motion - remember to swap arms though!

4) Accept you'll be slower at first

5) Find a route with wide pavements/running space - it's tricky to steer round people!

6) Never forget to keep your safety strap on


These are really just my first time thoughts - at some point I'll review the BOB in full, although I will say that so far so good. Very steady, streamlined and safe.

Would love to hear stories and tips from other buggy running mummies - there don't seem to be that many out there and I got some odd looks from passers by!

This is  a great article about running with babies: http://www.active.com/parenting-and-family/articles/5-tips-for-running-with-a-stroller