Day 1,941: Kiernan's longest stroller run

This morning baby K. was even more fussy than normal so I decided to take him out on my regular run so the wife could try to sleep a little.

It turned out the 4.21-mile run was his longest run in a stroller. It definitely was the longest stroller run for me.

I found that pushing a stroller isn't exactly easy work. I seemed to be constantly pushing down on the handlebars, making my balance off. It also really gives your legs a workout, as you don't have the benefit of having your arms push for you.

Near the end of the run, I could tell my legs were getting spent on one of the last hills of the course.

And even though we'd run with him in a stroller in the Beat the Streets for Little Feet 5K earlier this month, I wasn't ready for the instability that running with a stroller can bring.

This model of stroller, the BOB Revolution SE, has a front wheel that turns for easier turning. They say that for running it should be locked in a fixed position. We never had any problems with it, so we kept it turning.

In the middle of the run, I was running down a hill and thought I would just keep up with the stroller's speed instead of trying to slow it. Somehow the front wheel must have turned a little and it was all I could do to keep the stroller and me from wiping out on the pavement.

Later on I tried to lock the wheel in place but it didn't seem like it could.I also found that while obviously tight turns are a challenge in keeping the stroller from tipping, uneven pavement can cause a problem. If the pavement caused one of the wheels to go up in the air, trying to control it with just two wheels can be difficult.

Yet in the end, it still was a careful run and now that I know these performance factors with the stroller future runs can be easier -- and safer.

Time: 9:40 a.m.
Temp: 49 degrees
Gear: Long-sleeve T (Braves red), shorts, Nike Air Pegasus+ 28.

Day 1,932: I've registered for the Father's Day 4-Miler! (and once again a member of the Atlanta Track Club)

While procrastinating going to bed, I decided to see if registration was open for the June 16 Father's Day 4-Miler.

Last year's race was extremely fun, plus the technical T-shirt they handed out is one of my favorites.

So it was a no-brainer that I would want to run in the race this year, especially as a brand-new father.

The event is free for Atlanta Track Club members but costs for non-members. But if you aren't an ATC member you have to purchase a race package that includes a T-shirt but also a ticket to the Orioles-Braves game that day.

If you're an ATC member, you can purchase the T-shirt and/or Braves ticket separately.

So I hemmed and hawed and decided to just join the Atlanta Track Club. This move would have been beneficial if I'd done so in February so I would have had an automatic entry to the July 4 Peachtree Road Race.

But it's for a good cause and if I really want to go see the Orioles play, I think I can get tickets to the game for much cheaper than what they're selling on StubHub.

Day 1,931: Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K (Kiernan's first 5K)

It's safe to say I did everything I could to make sure we didn't run in this race. We'd signed up because we loved the Pete the Cat T-shirts from last year's race.

So even with a 24-day-old baby, we knew we had to participate, showing up this morning with our jogging stroller and baby. He was the only kid to be in an infant car seat attached to the stroller.

I deliberately wore brand-new running shoes that had not even been walked in. I also wore a shirt that would be warmer than needed for running.

When the race started, something interesting happened that I think it's fair to say has never happened to either one of us.

We were dead last.

And I'm not just talking about people in strollers. There was no one behind us. So when we neared the edge of the park, I really wanted for us to cut down the side street, hide our race bibs and go home.

But instead ... we ran.

Although we've run with the baby in Piedmont Park, I wasn't sure how the city's roads would be to a running stroller. The recommended age for running with a kid in a stroller is eight months.

But it turned out amazingly well. I felt super fresh and we blew by people up the first double or triple hill leading to Mile 1.

Mile 2 came super quickly and we still were passing people. It was surreal to see people really struggling to make pace.

When we returned to the PATH, I knew the race would be over in a half mile. There was a dude just in front of me, I ran up toward him, knowing that he'd try to run faster.

I was hoping he'd kick and then I would just ignite the jets and leave him in the dust. But when he kicked, my normal pace just outgained him. At the end of the race, the wife, who was pushing the stroller, also passed him.

We finished in 30:26, which is slow, but we didn't really start running until .2 of a mile into the race. I felt like I had a lot in the tank.

I didn't expect this to be a warmup kind of a race but it made me feel good where our running is at.

Time: 8 a.m.
Temp: 50 degrees
Gear: Long-sleeved T (Braves), shorts, Nike Air Pegasus+ 28/A.