Pre-Lula, I used to see women pushing strollers while they ran and I remember feeling envious and having visions of myself in their position someday, happy baby babbling gleefully while I looked the picture of health, smiling as I took long strides, people who saw me marveling that I had ever been pregnant.  Now that I am at that point in my life, things are a little different.  So far, the happy baby part is working for me but in terms of the ease with which I thought I would be able to get out there and do it, I have discovered that my imagination is superior to reality.  Let’s not talk about what people who see me are thinking…

Pa and I were fortunate enough to receive a BOB Revolution running stroller as a baby shower gift from Pa’s dad and his wife.  We received the stroller in late July, promptly put it in the basement and there it sat.

Since Lula’s birth, I had been taking a lot of walks with her using the Bjorn carrier but in late December, I noticed that as she got heavier, my shoulders became more easily fatigued.

Additionally, she seemed fussier in it than she had when she was smaller.  I think it had to do with her being pressed up against me so tightly (tummy to chest) and as she became more aware of her surroundings, it appeared that she wanted to be able to see facing forward.

I had incorrectly assumed that I couldn’t use the BOB with Lula, even for walking, until her neck muscles were strong enough for a stroller run.  One day I got antsy and decided to investigate when I would be able to take Lula out for a run.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this!  (See: Reassuring Information)

Age Recommendations

BOB recommends that your child should be at least 8 weeks old before riding in a BOB stroller without a BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter and compatible infant car seat. Please note that babies incapable of holding their head up must have additional head and neck support to ride safely and comfortably. For jogging or off-road stroller use, children should be at least 8 months old.

It wasn’t much more than a day or two after that discovery that the dusty cardboard box was upstairs in our living room and the stroller was put together- a remarkably quick and easy process!

Lula and I took our first walk together the very next day (thank you balmy winter) and she seemed to love it.  She didn’t fuss at all and was snoozing by the time we got back to the house.  Walks in the stroller have become a new activity for us and we love them.

At her four month check-up, I casually asked Doc when I could take her for a run and he said anytime since her neck muscles are so strong.  I.was.thrilled.

A day or two after Lula’s check-up, we headed out for our first run together.  I found that having low expectations for our first run worked well for me.  Just acclimating to running with something so big, bulky, and heavy was a challenge.  Not being able to swing my arms while I ran (ahhhh, Seinfeld) was also different.During the first run, my pace was an average 11 minute mile with the stroller (I normally run closer to an 8:49 minute mile).  My arms became fatigued quickly and holy wind resistance.  If it’s a windy day, prepare to get even more of a workout! That said, Lula and I had a lot of fun and it was special to be able to run together again since I ran “with” her through most of my pregnancy.

Below, are my list of pros and cons of the BOB Revolution and I can say with complete confidence that I would get the same model again.

Pros:

+Unbelievably easy to push, even up hills!*
+Extremely simple to break down

1.  Grab hold of the two black levers shown below

and fold handlebar and top part of stroller forward2.  Pull on red rubber handle located near undercarriage storageStroller will essentially collapse in on itself (note Lula’s hand as she lays in the shade)
+Extremely simple to set back up again
+Clear plastic window located on stroller canopy offers a view of baby(this photo makes me feel dizzy!)

+option to see a better view of baby while running

+5 point buckle for baby’s safety and intuitive adjustable straps
+Mesh pockets on either side of baby
+Undercarriage storage and mesh storage pocket on the back of the stroller
+Strap for my wrist**
+Wind and sun protection for Lula is excellent+Solid, easy to use foot brake

(Red metal piece dead center flips down to lock and up to unlock with ease)

Cons:

+I am 5’9″ and admittedly have poor posture but adjustable handlebars would be wonderful***
+Locked front wheel takes some getting used to****

Mehs:

+Takes up some space, even when broken down*****

*Okay, when I am running up hills, I probably appear to be on death’s doorstep pushing this bad boy but for walking, it is a breeze, I promise.

**I love this strap!  If ever there was a phrase that defines a great deal of my life, it is, “better safe than sorry.”  I don’t use the strap when I am walking with Lula but when I am running, especially downhill, it gives me peace of mind to know it’s on my wrist.   Although it feels weird, the option to occasionally take one of my hands off of the handlebars and know the stroller isn’t going anywhere is a relief.

***From this website, regarding adjustable handlebars:

As for the price of the stroller many parents would expect to have an adjustable handlebar to suit most parent’s height. In fact BOB is aware of this complaint and they justify thаt the non-adjustable handlebar is safer for the usage of this jogging stroller.

***The locked wheel feature is there for a reason- it is safer to have a locked front wheel when I am running with Lula and I totally appreciate that.

However, if I am running on a winding path, maneuvering the BOB takes some finesse.  For 90 degree turns, I have found that lifting the front wheel off of the ground while turning the stroller works extremely well.  Even though the stroller might bounce a bit as I lower the wheel back down, the shocks on this stroller cushion any bounce Lula might experience.  If I am on a curvy path and I want to turn the stroller, I find that I have to strong arm the stroller due to the locked front wheel.  Sometimes I simply continue to push the stroller in a straight line onto grass or dirt so I don’t have to continually fight the curves I run into. (ouch)

Update: It’s been a few months and the locked front wheel is definitely getting easier to maneuver.  Sometimes I still feel like resistance but overall, I barely notice it anymore.

***** I don’t know if the fact that the stroller takes up some space is a bad thing, I just thought it was worthy of mentioning.  My rating for the BOB Revolution stroller is a 9/10.  I absolutely love using it for both walking and running.  These strollers are expensive but seem to occasionally go on sale so if you are considering purchasing one, be on the lookout.  Investigating stores like Once Upon A Child might help lighten the financial cost as well.  See here for another review and a great training program for stroller running!