The Stroller Dilemma {A Three Things Thursday Post}

I could not. I would not. A double stroller.

When I was pregnant with Silas, I vehemently refuted that I would ever need a double stroller. I wouldn't need it during maternity leave, I said, as I could run with Si in the single BOB while Miles was at daycare. Mark would be home once I went back to work, providing adult supervision for either boy (or both) while I ran. Come fall, Miles would be in Pre-K and I could, again, run with Si after drop-off.

It was a great plan. Great justification. But then reality happened.

As I run more – often and farther – the idea of sticking Mark with the boys (my perception, not his) is harder to swallow. I have no problem when it's a run date with my BRF during the week or with my girls on the weekend but the weekday runs are where I struggle. I hate to leave them when I'm going to leave them again just an hour or so later. I could take one of the guys with me but it still leaves Mark at home with one.

It's a shame we can't go out together, I tell Mark. If only I had requested another jogger, or a double, instead of an Ergo when my in-laws asked me what I needed for our family of four.

I tried to work out our options on a fantastic run on Tuesday, a solo outing thanks to Mark dropping off Miles at daycare and taking Si with him to Great Clips.

2-year-old Miles!

1. Scour garage sale sites and Craigslist for a second jogger. I have been looking but so far have come up empty. Most of the strollers that I have seen for sale are not the quality that I would look for in a jogger. I think most of them would be good for casual runners or walks but not for regular use. AND, if I only found a single, I could not take both boys by myself.

2. Sell our BOB Ironman and upgrade to a double stroller. From looking at sale sites in bigger cities, I feel confident that we could ask a good price for our stroller but it would not be an even deal. Also, we'd be stuck with a double long after we'd need it. I am sure Si would be happy to fill the seat with a cuddly but the stares from neighbors might not be worth it.

3. See No. 2 but sub the Burley Bee. We have a great bike trailer that would do well on online sale sites. Get rid of that and upgrade to a bike trailer that can convert to a stroller. Of the three, this option is the most practical in that we will always use a double bike trailer. We would come out in the red if we went with the Burley Honey Bee but I did find an Allen Sports model that would be affordable(ish).

Of course, I could buy something new (not really) or do nothing (more than likely). After all, do I really want to run with my husband, toddler and newborn? I thought I took up this hobby for peace of mind :)