I’ve started running with my youngest recently in our cross-training stroller. He can’t talk yet, so he can’t say no when I take him with me. I strap him in and check in on him a few times. I’ve wondered what he is thinking when we run, so I came up with a few ideas.
Thoughts from my Youngest While Running with my Youngest
When I run, my mind wanders to whatever is top of mind that day. The other day, when I took my youngest out in our cross-training stroller, I began to think about what he was thinking about. He can’t talk yet, so it’s all a mystery. He does know how to sign “more” and “down”, but that’s really limiting to our conversation.
Here are a few things I think he was thinking about:
- Why can’t you run faster? – Being pushed around is probably pretty cool, but going up those steep hills at a crawling speed probably has him wondering if we could go faster. Where is the gas pedal on this thing?
- Look at the Trees and Birds! – We do run through a nice path which cuts through some trees and there are definitely birds. I have to believe at least part of this is interesting. Look, dad, those trees have leaves!
- I’m going to Sing Now – Sometimes my son will start singing, but he can’t talk yet so it’s just noises. The noises are pretty funny though. He’s probably singing like I do in the car and doesn’t realize I can hear him.
- Ready to Go Home Now – No, dad, I don’t want to keep going. The trees and path are boring. I want to go home and have a snack.
What does it all Mean?
It’s fun to think about what my son is thinking. I realize when running with my youngest, there is really only another few years before he’s probably going to outgrow the cross-training stroller. Soon enough he will be talking and the mystery of what he’s thinking will go away.
For the time being, it’s motivating to take my kid with me and have a bonding moment. It’s harder to push a stroller while running, but the time together is invaluable. It really starts to put things into perspective. I may never know exactly what he was thinking, but it helped motivate me in my run and enjoy a special moment together. I hope we can go out and run together for real some day.