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The whole reason we bought our stroller was because I could use it for running. I'm so serious.

 Before I had Baby J, and had to worry about important things like vaccinations, his emotional and physical health, and how / when / what to feed him, I was mainly concerned with how soon I was going to be able to run once I had given birth.

Have you seen those New Balance ads where they talk about having a love / hate relationship with running? And the people "break up" with running and then see it everywhere looking really great?

That's how I felt while I was pregnant.

It's hard to explain if you're not that into running, but it's really kind of an addiction.

It totally feels awful sometimes, but when it feels good, you wonder how you ever lived your life without it. (Based on my last two posts, you're probably marveling at the fact that I am not, in fact, addicted to illegal drugs. I would say I'm high on life, but I think that expression is really stupid. And also, I'm totally not.)

Anyway, my doctor cleared me to exercise three weeks after I gave birth, and so I came home, put on my running shoes, and headed out the door. I should point out, I headed out the door and straight into that disgusting cloud of brown dirt that hung over the Valley like a choke-inducing curtain all spring and summer. It was quite disgusting, actually. But off I went.

And realized that it's hard to get back into shape after nine months on the dreaded-boring-gym-elliptical-that-I-hate.

I didn't give up, though, because I remembered the good times -- and also because I was really really determined not to feel fat.

Anyway, now I'm back in fairly good running shape, which, for me, means that I can run 3-4 miles most days without stopping to walk or feeling sore later. Baby J is edging up towards six months old, and we no longer use the carseat in the stroller cause he doesn't need it.

So today I convinced Freckles to go for a run with me after he got home from work.

It was so fantastic.

The stroller (we have a single-passenger Bob Revolution) worked well, I didn't feel guilty for leaving Baby J, we both got exercise, and Baby J got a chance to get a nap. (Side note: he totally only slept for an hour and a half today and then crashed after a jumping and giggling fit at a Halloween party -- what is that???)

And?

I read in some guilt inducing magazine that running with a stroller burns 20% more calories than running alone, and I actually kind of believe it. There are balance, arm placement, and steering to consider in addition to just plain moving.

I had such a great time.

So now Baby J and I are primed and ready for action. If you're lucky, maybe you'll see our sweaty voyage someday soon as we cruise through your hood. We'll be the ones singing Jason Mraz.

You heard me.

"You better lock your doors! You know why? Cause we want you..."