How to keep your baby warm on winter runs.

(Please Note: I am not affiliated with L.L.Bean and this post is based on my opinion and experience. ) 

As runners we either prefer cooler tempts or warmer. But once the temperatures drop, and the cold rolls in, we know exactly what to do. Some that can’t bare the cold, rely on indoor running. While others who despise and dread the treadmill bundle up in the highest quality winter gear and continue to take their runs outside. 

For me, as a runner, I don’t mind cooler temps. I definitely continue to run outside during the colder months, and avoid the treadmill at all costs. And although, I know exactly what winter gear to wear to keep myself warm, my 15 month old is accompanying me on most of my runs. What do I do to keep my her warm? 

I use the Ultra Plush Snow Bunting by L.L. Bean. We received this as a Christmas present last year, and although, I was dying to use it, Zoe was still to little. But this year, at 15 months, she fits perfect, and it is super roomy so she’ll be using this next year too. (The manufacturer says it fits up to a 3 year old child.) 

The Ultra Plus Snow Bunting is basically a sleeping bag for your baby/toddler, to keep her warm, while she is in the stroller. 

I’m mostly using mine to keep my 15 month old toasty warm on fall/winter runs. These cooler months can be tricky. Although, I may find the crisp, chilly air,   refreshing. It definitely is too cold for Zoe. And that is why this Ultra Plush  has the softest fleece lining – the same material used in their famous camp sleeping bags. The outside shell is water resistant.

The zipper opens wide and there are openings to fit the stroller harness so you can buckle your child in safely. 

Final Review

Finding the time to run and work out can be really tough for anybody, but especially a mom. It’s easy to make exscuses. But because I have a running stroller, I am able to take my daughter on runs with me, so there really is NO excuse. Getting your baby out and about is one of the healthiest things you can do for them. They need the fresh air in every season, and so do you!

It’s easy to make the exscuse it’s too cold! But with the Ultra Plush Snow Bunting, it’s never too cold. Honestly, as a mother, it is really hard to find the right things to make a baby both comfortable and warm. Puffy coats are dangerous in car seats, and a pain to get baby in and out of… this is why I’m so happy I have the Ultra Snow Bunting for Zoe! 

My daughter was so cozy and warm she fell right asleep on our run!!


What do you use to keep your baby warm during the winter months? 

copyright 2016 sweat1xdaily 

Zoe’s first Turkey Trot! (Stroller racing.)

Turkey Trots are one of my favorite types of races. It is always a family friendly event, that brings not only the local running community together, during the holidays, but people of all ages and fitness levels.    

Every year, I run a Turkey Trot, in exception to last year because I was 3 months postpartum. 

The Turkey Trot gets me up and active early during the day – my workout is done, so then I really can ENJOY all the PIE. 

This year was Zoe’s first official Turkey Trot. We ran the Alexandria Turkey Trot. It was a five miler in Del Ray.  It was my first year running as a mother, with my daughter, and racing with her in the stroller. 

As you already know, I do all my weekly runs with Zoe and trained for the Marine Corps Marathon pushing her in her stroller. My point is running with a stroller isn’t new to me. Last weekend, I did a small local 5K with Zoe, just to practice. It went well, we even placed 2nd for women. 

However, this Turkey Trot was on a different level. This was my second race with Zoe, and by far the most crowded. Because of the crowds, running with the stroller was a challenge for the first 2 miles. 

Here’s how it went down… 

We arrived 15 minutes early, found parking and headed to the start. There was a different start for strollers and dogs, but I just went to the regular start. I knew it was going to be crowded.


At 9:00, we were off. I was barely moving. It was a Turkey Trot, a fun run, so there was no need to speed, but it was driving me crazy that I couldn’t just run comfortably. There were times in the beginning when I felt like I was going to run over some other runners. Weaving with a stroller is hard work, especially with crowds and potholes. 

Finally, after mile 2, the crowds begin to break up and there was a little more space. It was then that I had more room and could control the stroller better. Zoe kept pointing out all the dogs that were running.

We were running an 8:30 mile and feeling good. Zoe talked the whole way, yelling, “Go! Go! Go!” 

I answered back, “You got it babe!” She kept me running faster and laughing the whole way – until we crossed the finish line! 
Over all, this Turkey Trot was great! It is always a little crowded at first, but once you get passed mile 2 you can really get going. Also the neighborhood crowd support, is awesome! It is also quite fun to have dogs and strollers included. Zoe loves going on runs, and she had a really fun time racing with such a big crowd.


Thankful…

I am so THANKFUL that my sweet little Zoe enjoys her running stroller, and that I am able to share my passion for running & the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, with her. 

This journey called motherhood is so unique and special. I am also so so so thankful for my sweet Zoe!  It is the most amazing thing watching her grow, learn, discover, explore. Always surprising me, she keeps me laughing. And I kiss those cheeks, or she holds my hand … and sometimes, as I look at her, I still can’t believe she’s all mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

copyright 2016 sweat1xdaily 

Stroller miles, Mother RUNNER, Marathon Training

Hey lovelies,

I forgot to tell you, I am registered for the Marine Corps Marathon!

I have just finished week 3 of my marathon training. And, although this will be my 4th time training and running the Marine Corps Marathon, things are very very different this time around.

My running buddy is Zoe, my 10 month old daughter. And because we are inseperatable, we do everything together… It is not all about me anymore. This has made training a little bit more challenging, but also way more fun!

WEEK Day Training with the stroller.

During the week, I have been doing my shorter runs pushing Zoe in the running stroller. Pushing the stroller is definitely harder than running solo. (For those who are interested, I am running with the BOB revolution, pro. I intend on writing a blog post about the product so stay tuned.) Not only do I have the extra load, the stroller itself weighs 25 lbs, plus Zoe, but my running form is different when I run with the stroller.

If you have been following my running journey for a while now, you may already know, that I’m obsessed with proper running form, especially since I run in a natural barefoot running shoe, with a low heel to toe drop. (Newton)

And although, I have gotten faster running while pushing the stroller, it is impossible for me to pick up my cadence. Which means I must be over striding. When I run solo my cadence is a perfect, 180. But when I run with the stroller, it is low 130-140 spm.

I also usually use my right hand to steer/push the stroller. I need to work on switching arms, so both sides of my body are balanced.

The longest run I have done with Zoe, is an 8 miler. My legs didn’t hurt, but my arms did by mile 6.

Weekend running, long run.

The plan is to run my shorter miles during the week with Zoe, but run my longer runs on the weekend solo. Well, of course the first week of training, I told my husband I was going out for my long run, and he told me he had tons of things to do, and he needed me to take Zoe.

Week 1- long run 8 miles

Because according to my training plan my long run for the week was only an 8 miler, I decided it was doable to bring Zoe along. So off we went for an 8 miler. This was the longest run I have done while pushing the stroller.

It was also late afternoon and 80+ degrees. I knew this was a big mistake. I should have gotten out there earlier, but I had to get the miles in. I chose the shadiest part of the MVT, however, the shadiest part is also the hilliest part.

My plan was to just chug along up and down those hills, stopping briefly to check on Zoe every 2 miles.

1-4 miles went really well. Miles 4-6, I mentally broke down. Miles 6-8 I pulled it together and finished strong. So strong that I thought I could have kept going for another mile or two.

Zoe absolutely loves going on runs with me. It is really nice for her to get fresh air. She loves all the views and the trail gives her lots of trees and water to look at. It is also important for her to see me living an active, healthy lifestyle, enjoying nature.

However, with that being said. It takes me between 1 hour and 25 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes to run 10 miles.

I will take Zoe out for a 10 miler, but I really don’t want to take her out longer than that. I am very lucky, that she loves her stroller, and like I said above there are some amazing, healthy benefits about stroller miles, but I can’t keep her strapped in a stroller for longer than 10 miles.

Now that she is scooting around and pulling herself up, it is important for her to move, and play. It’s my job as her mama to give her that time and opportunity to play and move, to problem solve and discover. She needs her exercise too.

Week 2- long run 9 miles

Again, I didn’t get out there early enough, however I was excited to see what I could do running solo, (with out pushing a 10 month old in a stroller.)

The heat was killer, a lot of runners were falling apart on the trail. But I had my water, and kept chugging along. Over all it was a fine run, mainly slower because of the heat.

Week 3- long run 6 miles

Once again, I will have more success if I get out there earlier when it is cooler. The heat is definitely taking its toll on me. Getting out there around 9:30 am is just way to late.

The more I practice running in the heat, the more my body will get use to it. However, lately it has been a heat wave and it’s just not healthy to run in, because of the high humidity levels.

I had a really slow 6 miler and thought to myself, goodness, maybe I can’t do this marathon training. If I’m feeling bad doing 6 miles, what am I going to do next week when I have to do an 11 miler.

Although, my 6 miler felt bad during, I felt great after.

Later, that night a fellow mother runner, Lina, asked me to do 4 miles with her. It had just stormed which cooled the 90 degree day to 70 degrees and there was a breeze.

This was my chance to test myself. It was only a 4 miler, but I wanted to see how I would do. Turns out I ran just fine and all of my negative thoughts from earlier were erased. It was just the heat and running in cooler weather made all the difference.

It was also great doing a double, running 6 miles in the morning, and 4 miles at night which gave me a total of 10 miles for the day.

Training PLAN and Apps

The training plan I am following is the Hal Higdon Intermidate training plan. I am interested in heart rate training, and considered following the heart rate marathon training plan by another mother runner. However, for this marathon, I am following Higdon’s plan because I have used his plans in the past and I have always found success. So I’m sticking to what I know works, while throwing a baby into the mix.

Although, I love my Garmin, I am also tracking my mileage using Strava! The Strava app is awesome! I love that I can follow other runners and they can follow me. When training for a marathon alone, it is important to check in with other runners and be inspired by their training and give/receive encouragement and support. I will also be reading more running blogs. I read tons of running blogs two years ago when I trained for my marathon and I didn’t feel so alone.

Another feature that I love about Strava is how it breaks down your running stats. It also records your PRs.

So if you are on Strava please follow me! I’m on there under sweat1xdaily. You can also find me on Instagram @sweat1xdaily.

Well that’s all for now!

Run Happy!
Which marathon are you training for?