I haven’t always been a runner. I reluctantly gave it a go in an effort to stay in shape after I graduated from college and got a job that involved sitting in a chair for 8 hours a day. Sidenote: whoa, that’s the “freshman fifteen” nobody tells you about, but that’s another blog post. Running has become something that both sucks me in and pushes me away. I love it, but I also hate it. There have been times in my life that it has been the best therapy and I would cry through my miles, the physical pain a welcome respite from the emotional. Times where it felt easy to do 20 miles a week, and times I struggled with 5. I’ve done dozens of races, some of them with a smile on my face, and some of them hating every moment. It always sucks me back in, though, and I was so ready to hit the pavement after having my daughter.

Running changed for me after she was born. I’m slower, but I’m STRONGER. I’ve given birth, dang it, I can finish these 3 miles! I look forward to the 30-60 minutes a day when I can disconnect, be the old me, and forget about my to-do list. But let’s be real, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows trying to bliss out and have a good jog when there’s a kiddo involved. There are days that my daughter must have ALL the snacks and her cup, her lovey, Elmo, a blanket and a few toys just to be bribed into going along for the ride. So here are my top 5 favorite essentials for running with your little one.

5-Essentials-For-Running-With-Kids

1) The Thule Urban Glide. Y’all, I could be a spokesperson. I love this stroller SO MUCH.  The Urban Glide is so smooth, so light, and not bulky at all, which was my biggest hesitation with other jogging strollers. Have I mentioned how much I love it? Rear suspension, the front wheel locks for stability, the canopy is huge and you can adjust it when running into the sun, the ample basket zips closed, and the Urban Glide almost fully reclines for those times the little one gets lulled into dream land. I also have the console attachment to hold my phone, mace, water bottle, keys, etc. Even outside of running, I use this instead of my “good” stroller about 80% of the time.

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2) An audible monthly subscription. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’s book reading time tanked after having kids. Yes, I feel like it’s cheating, but audio books have become my go-to, and they are the perfect for a long run. If I’m lucky, running buys me 30-60 minutes of SILENCE, which as you know (especially with a toddler) is golden. But for the times I need some distraction or motivation myself, I turn on an audio book and it makes the time fly by.

3) Road ID bracelet.  Running safety is different with a passenger. I no longer use headphones, ever. I need to hear cars on the road, or bikes on the trail. I carry mace in my zipper stroller pocket because I’m worried about stray dogs and wildlife  I let Jude know where we are running that day and text her when we are done. This bracelet has your name and address and important phone numbers in case of emergency. For me, it’s just as comfortable on my wrist as a watch, but sometimes I just velcro it to my stroller handle.

4) Little books. Some days H seems just as happy as me to enjoy some silence and zone out. Other days, I need an arsenal of distractions, and these books are my daughter’s favorite. Most days she will “read” the entire time we are out. They are small enough to stay in her hands or tuck in the stroller seat side pockets.

5) The CamelBak eddy kids water.  I’ve always preferred CamelBak water bottles, so I was so relieved when H decided she loved hers too. And for running, hers is smaller and we can both drink out of it and refill at water stops, so it’s the easiest thing to grab.

What about my fellow jogger mamas, what is your must have?