52 Weeks: #4 Scavenger Hunt...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #4 Scavenger Hunt FREE Printable Below Disney Cars has made another appearance this week. Doc Hudson’s Scavenger Hunt Printable is tailored more to objects you would find while running on a sidewalk or in neighborhood.   The African Safari Scavenger Hunt Printable is geared more towards the runners who jog on park paths. This game is more advanced; it requires that your child can read basic words.  However, my son is not yet four and is unable to read, so I read the items and we look for the objects together. Target Age Group: 3-5 years old How to Play:   Print the Free Printable Scavenger Hunt pages. Laminate it for future use and provide a washable marker.  However, if you do not trust your child with a washable marker, print out the Scavenger Hunt game when necessaryand provide your child with a crayon. Provide your child with the printable and explain to them when they find the item, put a check in the box.  In my house, that generally means drawing a picture on top of the check box, but it works and keeps my child occupied longer. Preparation Time (More Advanced Game): 0-5 minutes time required (depends if you choose to laminate your sheets or not). Materials: Printable Scissors Washable Marker or Crayon Con-Tact Self Adhesive Lamination paper (optional) Cost: FREE w/printable no Laminate Paper With Laminate Paper: $3.59 Con-Tact $3.59 Disclaimer:  Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction to 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games Week 1: Red Light Green Light Week 2: I Spy Week 3: Find the Cars For more Run...

52 Weeks: #3 Find the Cars...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #3 Find the Cars FREE Printable Below Find the Cars was inspired by my 3 year old and his love for Disney Cars. He loves anything pertaining to transportation; he is all boy; planes, trains and automobiles. This game is an easy game to incorporate and extremely fun for any child who loves cars. Find the Cars will only work if you are running on a sidewalk where cars pass by or on a trail that is parallel with the road. If you are running through a park, this probably will not be the Stroller Game you will choose. For this workout, if your child is two years old or older, let your child participate in the squats and lunges portion of the workout. Most 2-4 years old like to get out and exercise and do what mommy and daddy do. Stroller Runner Workout From Jared at Tone and Tighten Warm up- 10 minutes 5 minutes of moderate walk, increase to a faster speed for the five remaining minutes. Cardio- 5 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Squat and Rolls Holding onto stroller handle, squat low and push stroller out as you move down. Pull stroller back towards you as you stand up. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Lunges Holding onto handle of stroller, pushing baby forward. 10 lunges on each side for 20 total. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed...

52 Weeks: #2 I Spy

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #2 I Spy “I Spy” is a family and stroller friendly game that is mostly played by children and can be enjoyed by anyone. Not only is a great game for the stroller, but for traveling long distances.  Also, this game aids young children in becoming familiar with the alphabet, and also with observation. Prior to starting your run or while you are doing your warm-up, explain to your toddler the game you are planning to play and identify who will be player number one. Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play:   Identify whether you or your child is player 1. Player 1 looks for something in sight or is visible around them. This can be any object, whether it’s a certain building, toy, or article of clothing. Begin the game with saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that _____”. The blank can be any clue about the object, such as “starts with the letter H”, “is yellow”, or “is round”.  With my little one, we try to use road signs, objects we see in nature, cars, etc. Then other player asks questions about the object. If there are more than two players (e.g. you have twins or stroller two toddlers around), have each person ask one question per turn. Some questions can be asked about the color, placement (where it is), size, etc. Make sure that the Player 1 answers with only a “yes” or “no”. Keep guessing until the correct object is picked. Preparation Time: 0 time required Disclaimer:  Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction to 52...

52 Weeks: #1 Red Light, Green Light...

 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #1 Red Light, Green Light FREE Printable Below   Stroller Runner Workout:  20 Minute Tempo workouts by using 10 x 20 seconds -1 (20 seconds – 1 minute on/20 seconds – 1 minute off). Of course, this may vary depending on how excited your child gets; it might be more like 20 seconds on/20 seconds off. 20 Seconds – 1 Minute on = Tempo run (Zone 4), a continuous runs at lactate threshold, near your one-hour race pace, which is a hard run. You most likely will be out of breath when you finish your 20 seconds to a minute on. 20 seconds -1 Minute off = Easy jog (Zone 2) Here is how to calculate your Lactate Threshold Heart Rate Training. The workout came from Greg McMillian, RunningTimes.com. When you run a this tempo workout, it’s important to remember that the “off” minute isn’t a slow jog but is run at your normal easy run pace. If you run too slowly on the “off” minute, you’ll end up running too fast on the “on” minute and change the session from a stamina workout to a speed workout. Over time, you’ll notice the pace stays pretty fast throughout with less variation between “on” and “off” minutes. That’s when you know you have it dialed in. Game Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play (Basic):   After a proper warm up, have your little one shout out “green light” to go.  Run 1 minute on Tempo run with the stroller when he/she says “green light”.  Teach your child early about “yellow light” – slow down.  When you child yells, “yellow light”, do your 1 minute off (slow down the jog). This will make it easier on your body...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games...

Happy New Year! In 2014, Run Stroller Run is rolling out 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games. Fun games that will keep your kids occupied while in the stroller. Some of the games might require your participation, but nothing that you won’t be able to handle while running.  These Stroller Runner Games will be fun, educational but also will help the time pass quicker for both you and your kids. The games will be for children 0-5 years old, with a focus on 2- 4 year olds. In my opinion, 2- 4 year olds are the hardest to keep occupied while in a stroller. They are busy creatures and in my personal experience rarely nap in the stroller anymore. If you found Run Stroller Run and are not a stroller runner, these Stroller Runner Games can also be used for road trips or long airport waits. Every Friday I will put up a 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games post where we can talk in the comments anything stroller running related. If you have suggestions for Stroller Runner Games, please comment below or send an email to lara@runstrollerrun.com. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

Year End Review: Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist...

Racing in the winter is always more challenging, more clothes, more items, etc. But, racing with a stroller in the winter is even more challenging. Check out our Race Day checklist to make life easier for you. Packing for a race is always challenging.  You never want to leave home without your favorite socks, or your watch or your lucky shorts.  As a parent, I have found it increasing difficult to pack for a race, especially when I am running with my jog stroller and kids.  I find that I am more concerned about their needs and then inevitably I forget the essential race gear I need to race.  In order to avoid forgetting crucial race gear and my kid’s necessary items, I created a Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist. Now, you can pack for a stroller friendly race and feel confident you have all the essential race and children gear needed with the Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist.     For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner...

Sport Massage for Runners...

By Stephanie Maziejka This month’s massage article is inspired by Lara Coffee’s recent Ironman accomplishment, Congratulations Lara! Sport massage can be used to supplement the health and wellness of athletes everywhere and a good massage therapist caters the session and treatment plan to the athlete’s specific sport. Doing so allows the session to be as efficient and streamlined as possible and will take into consideration repetitive movements unique to the sport, targeted muscles for the sport, and the conditioning/training schedule of the athlete. Most runners that I have come across are passionate about running, almost more so than any other athlete is about their sport. Running, though not a contact sport in the traditional sense is incredibly hard on the body. Direct and forceful contact is made striking the ground repetitively sending shock through every joint and muscle in the body. Running’s Repetitive Movements and Injury Running is a series of movements continuously repeated which is why runners are at risk for repetitive injury if they are not careful. The most common areas of injury for a runner involve the feet and the knees. The joints of the body are meeting points for two bones and it is the place over which muscles cross resulting in articulation or movement. Injury (not caused by a direct trauma) usually occurs in hypertonic stressed areas where muscles have overly contracted, adhered to adjacent soft tissue areas and pull at the structure causing tension and overload. Overtime a body under stress and fatigue will decrease in productivity and resiliency and become more susceptible to mistakes and injury. It’s the same concept as individuals surviving through sleep deprivation or flourishing when well rested. The main actions of running are flexion/extension at the hip, knee, and ankle joint. The type...

Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, Reindeer Runs and more...

‘Tis the season. Now that Turkey Trots are over and we say hello to Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, Reindeer Runs and more. We rounded up some of the best jingle bell runs and Santa-themed family and stroller friendly races.  Which ones do you prefer? Check back on a regular basis to see what Santa Shuffles, Jingle Jogs, and Reindeer Runs were added. Friday, December 6, 2013 Florida 5K Santa Fun Run/Walk – Clermont, FL Harmony Christma5K – Harmony, FL Texas Rudy Run 5K – Caldwell, TX Saturday, December 7, 2013   Arizona AZ Santa Run – Scottsdale, AZ Run From the Cops 5K – Tempe, AZ California 2013 Tiger Run 5K/10K, Cycle Tour 5K, Tiger Cub Run, Health & Wellness Fair – South Pasadena, CA Eagal Lakes Walk/Run to a Brighter Christmas and Kids Jingle Jam – Tracy, CA Merced Jingle Bell Run for Toys for Tots – Fresno, CA Midway Run & Walk – Alameda, CA Reindeer Run 5K Run/Walk – San Luis Obispo, CA Reindeer Run/Walk – American Canyon, CA The Sweater Dash – Northern California – Pleasanton, CA Florida 2nd Annual Santa Claus for a Cause – Fort Myers, FL Blizzard on the Beach 5K – Pensacola, FL Color Blast 5K Run – Lakeland, FL Festival of Lights 5K – Jacksonville, FL Rudolph’s Reindeer Dash 5k  Stuart, FL Santa Shuffle 5K Run – Tavares, FL Georgia DECA the Halls – Gainesville, GA Frosty 5K – Dahlonega, GA Jingle Bell Run 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk – Jesup, GA Jingle Bell Run – Newnan, GA Jingle Dash – Conyers, GA Jingle Jog – Acworth, GA Reindeer Run – La Fayette, GA Run Run Rudolph 5K – Commerce, GA Santa Shuffle – Moultrie, GA Winterfest 5K – Valdosta, GA Illinois 5K...

Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners...

It is that time of year: Holiday time!  Are you starting to think about what to buy your running friend, spouse, daughter, etc? Below, I have put together my 2013 Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners I love Etsy.  Especially for unique, fun gifts that I wish I was capable of making for others, but do not have the time or the talent to do so.  The list is not in order by preference,  but by lowest price to the highest price gifts. Happy Shopping and enjoy my Top 10 Unique Etsy Gifts For Runners. Run Etched Wine Glass  by  WulfCreekDesigns  Price $14.99 The Girlfriends Marathon Picture by  yankeegirlart Price $18.99 Running Wall Quote – Fred Lebow Quote – In Running Wall Decal by WallapaloozaDecals  Price $22.63 Customized Marathon Key Chain by  PearlieGirl Price $27.00 Running tee: are my kids still chasing me? By AnotherMotherRunner – they finally opened an Etsy store this October. Price $30 Eat Clean, Train Dirty Pyrex Baking Dish by GoneGirly  Price $30.00+ Marathon half marathon Medal Display – 24in.,30in.,48in. Black or White  by Victorymedaldisplays Price $34.99 + It runs in the family, bib and medal holder.  YorkSignShop Price $45.00 Run Wild My Child by spunkyfluff   Price $57.50 Custom Made t shirt quilt Running and Triathlon Shirts by HappyQuiltDesigns  – Price ranges $230-$380 **The pictures below are in the numeric order above.   For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner  ...

Turkey Trot, Turkey Trot and More Turkey Trots...

What better way to not feel guilty about eating that turkey and pumpkin pie or to escape the family holiday drama, but to participate in a Turkey Trot.  Here is an extensive list of Turkey Trots throughout the United States that are family and stroller friendly. These races are listed on Run Stroller Run stroller friendly race calendar. Saturday, November 23, 2013 Arizona Color in Motion 5K – Tucson, AZ California 5K Turkey Trot – Commerce, CA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Donner Lake Turkey Trot – Soda Springs, CA Napa Valley Turkey Trot – Napa, CA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 ‘Stache Dash 5K – Costa Mesa, CA Womble Rumble – Lodi, CA Colorado Panicking Poultry Turkey Trot – Boulder, CO – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 District of Columbia Cranberry Crawl 5K Run – Washington, DC Florida City of Hialeah Turkey Trot – Hialeah, FL Electric Run – Miami – Miami, FL Harvest Hustle – Lakewood Ranch, FL Right Whale 5K Run & 2.5K Walk – Jacksonville Beach, FL Run For Futures 8K/5K Run/Walk – Daytona Beach, FL St. Helen Catholic School 5K Harvest Run – Vero Beach, FL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Wild Hog Jog – Panama City, FL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Georgia Gobble Wobble Walk-N-Run 5K – Bellville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot – Statesboro, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Turkey Trot – Homerville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Turkey Trot – Milledgeville, GA – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Illinois Turkey Trot for Technology – Sandwich, IL – Added Tuesday, November 20, 2013 Indiana The Mo Run – Mustache Run (Indianapolis) – Indianapolis, IN Run, Walk and Roll 5K – Michigan City,...