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Training Zones w/stroller?

meadows6meadows6
in General Training Discussions

I have my training zones and am wondering if I should give myself a little extra time since I will be pushing my son in a stroller for the majority of the runs?  Not trying to wuss out here, but just wondering what others have done in similar situations. I am fine with going as hard as I can and seeing what happens.  Is there a somewhat standard addition to pace that people do?  like plus 15 sec to your zone? 

Comments

  • gsadleriiigsadleriii
    No answer here...but got a good chucle from this post. Took me back to my first marathon training plan, where I ran with a stroller during our long runs on Sat while my wife ran beside me (she was considerably slower than me).

    BTW...anyone who does EN intervals pushing a stroller is WAY cool (kind of like those fools who run with weight vests). Thanks for the motivational kick. I'll remember that next time my intervals suck!
  • Chris GChris G
    Depends on the stroller and the day. Is it a double or a single? The stroller gets really hard to push into the wind and up hills for me. On flat ground with little wind I would say 15 seconds is about right. I base that on the very unscientific reasoning that my double wtroller 5 k pr is a little more than a minute slower than the non stroller pr.

    Regardless running with the stroller will make you strong. My wife pushed the kids 25 miles a week for years. When they get bigger it gets harder.
  • Chris M.Chris M.

    I too have been surprised at how fast one go with a stroller (a double jogger in my case).   I think it might actually help when going downhill. 

    Anyway, I agree that 15sec/mile sounds about right.  Try that and compare your heart rate/RPE to the non-stroller runs at the same pace and see what you come up with.

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    If you're a glutton for punishment, you could always do two 5k tests - one with and one without the stroller. Have zones for each that way. Just an idea...
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    IF you train with a stroller you are a bad-a$$ already...but like the others said, 15" per zone sounds about right. More importantly, how does your kid like to go faaaaaast? image Mine hated it when I pushed them...only wanted me to run...
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Make the kid get out and push or have them wear a weighted vest .

    We joke that when Sonny gets too old to go on walks we're going to get him a stroller, hitch up his lil' brother to it and give Sonny a buggy whip...

  • NortonNorton
    A stroller vDot merit badge?
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Whatever you do, don't ignore perceived effort. Pushing the stroller can get mighty tough mighty quick. No need to overwork one day just to hit some artificial target.
  • Larry PfefferLarry Pfeffer
    I trained for 2 marathons while using a jogging stroller about 70% of the time (including all long runs). On routes with hills, I found my times were either a lot slower or my legs felt dead after the runs if I kept my non-stroller pace. Couldn't agree more with the strength comment...you will definitely get stronger legs pushing a stroller! One piece of advice I failed to remember more than a few times - Make sure your tires are properly inflated before you head out!
  • David RDavid R

    I don't even want to imagine having to run with a stroller.  Ran across this video add this afternoon and it made me think of this post.

    http://www.stroll-smart.com/

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