How to pack a Bob or running stroller. I’m going to use the term “Bob” throughout the article for sake of clarity but I’m referring in general to running strollers. Bob is the brand we have and it has worked well. (It was recommended to us that we not start using the Bob for our children until they were at least one year old. Consult with your pediatrician before using one.)
Bobs are a wonderful way to get exercise and get your kid(s) some fresh air. Because they come with storage capacity, you can carry items that are functional, toys/books to keep your kid entertained, and drinks/snacks for you and them.
There are four items to keep in the Bob at all times:
The first and most most important is a blanket for the kid. Just keep this in the bottom of the Bob. If it’s cold, its use is obvious. If your kid is already bundled up, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra layer ready to go. Even if it’s warm outside, it can be used in the event of unexpected rain or to mop up a mess.
The next item is a tire pump. Also leave this in the bottom section. You will need it and you will be glad you have it. The reasons it’s not more important than the blanket are that you want to protect your kid and you can run with the Bob on a flat tire or two, it’s just a more difficult slog.
The third item is a running wallet. I’ve got an old one with a few bucks in it that I keep in the back pocket. If you’re out running and you need refreshment for your kid, you’ve got the resources to address that.
The fourth item is a long-sleeved shirt. The shell of the Bob will mostly cover your kid. However, if it’s really windy, you can use the sleeves of the shirt to tie it to the front of the Bob and make a windshield and add comfort and protection for your kid. I store mine by tying it to the top. (They also make official covers that you can use in inclement weather. I opted for the cheaper long sleeve shirt route because where we live, there aren’t many days that a complete covering is necessary.)
Besides these four items, everything else that you carry depends on the weather, how far you’re running, and the age of your kid. You would be surprised at the number of items you can shove into the back pocket. I put my house keys at the bottom so they don’t slip out. Above those, I’ll put any bottles of drinks and snacks for my kid or me. If I’m carrying an extra sweatshirt for them or gear for me, I’ll tuck that on top. The idea is to pack things on top that I may need to grab in a hurry and put less urgently-needed items in progressive layers towards the bottom. (The wallet would remain at the bottom.)
The bottom section of the Bob is trickier. If it’s been wet recently and you’re going through mud or puddles, that section can have water and dirt kicked into it. You can store things down there but add an extra towel or blanket on top to keep the items dry and clean. In sustained dry weather, things may get a little dust on them. If that bothers you, keep a small towel with you to wipe things off. You can leave the tire pump down at the bottom no matter what. Even if it’s wet out and you don’t cover it, mine has always worked when I needed it, regardless of water or mud splatters.
One other advantage is that if it’s a day where you’re unsure whether you’ll need sleeves or a hat or gloves, you can start with them and shed later, using the Bob for storage. Or, you can stash them in the back pocket at the beginning of the run and put them on sometime down the road.
Technically you can strap items to the top. Our Bob doesn’t have the hardware for it, but I used some miscellaneous straps a couple of times to make that happen. (One time was Christmas afternoon and my son insisted on taking a giant stuffed animal with us. When he fell asleep and couldn’t hold it, I strapped the stuffie to the top and kept trucking.)
Last but not least, race day. The Bob is a miracle on wheels during a race. Not for me, but for my family. With the volume of space in the pocket and on the bottom, everything we need and then some can go into the Bob. Because I’m not running with it during the race, items can be more precariously placed in any available spots since it’s being gently pushed around the start/finish area. While my kids have almost outgrown the Bob, we still take it to races because it’s so handy to have what basically doubles as a luggage cart.
Have fun with the Bob and use it to its fullest potential for what you can carry. And, if you have other uses or storage ideas that aren’t mentioned here, let me know.
Running food review of the week: (note–gels, bars, chews, and other items affect everyone differently. Try them on a short run before using them for a key training run or race): Honey Stinger Fruit Smoothie . This one is pretty good. I ate it around 5:30 one morning before a quick early run and while it didn’t have the texture or temperature of a smoothie, it had the flavor and that’s good enough for me. Even better, on an empty stomach and downed with a glass of water, it went over just fine with my stomach. I was a little tired when I started but once this gel kicked in, I felt much better.
Gutting it out in a race next time. Also, a new menu item is coming for the blog and the term “menu” has two meanings for this addition…