My, my. Henry and I have had quite the day. We ran errands together; we vacuumed the house together (Henry in his carrier; makes vacuuming quite the workout); and we went to the gym together.
Last week, DadHTP had a great idea. He remembered how my mother would take me in my stroller to the mall for exercise. I was born in the end of April in Miami, so the weather was probably similar to what Henry and I are experiencing now: mid- to upper-90s. In this type of weather, there are only three ways to walk with a baby: early in the morning, late at night, or inside. I’m not too keen on taking Henry to the mall – our workouts would end up costing me a ton of money in clothing and random knickknacks – but Dad suggested our gym’s indoor track.
Hardly anyone uses the indoor track, which was nice because I didn’t want to impose on anyone with the stroller.
12 laps around is 1 mile. We did 24 counterclockwise laps – 2 lovely, air conditioned miles!
It actually ended up being COLD on the track, thanks to these heavy-duty fans. I was glad I had a blanket for Henry.
I’m pretty pumped that we’ve found a comfortable, safe, and FREE way for all three of us (Henry, Dad, and I) to walk during the summer. Indoor tracks for the win!
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a great idea! FYI, a lot of malls open to walkers before the stores are even open, so you can walk around without the temptation to buy.
There was a 6 week old baby at CrossFit this morning, napping in her carseat on the sidelines right through the loud rock music. I’m hoping I’ll be able to do that while on maternity leave!
What a fun idea!! Our track is probably a little too busy for me, but also I’m hoping my baby will come just in time for perfect fall walking weather
Great idea! Glad you’re able to get your walks/working out in while caring for your bebe! And great idea to walk on the indoor track!
Just got up and read your post, whilst deliberating whether to go out in the FREEZING cold (it’s winter here!) for another 10k run, as part of a race series. Well, if you can make the effort, so can I – suckin’ it up and pullin’ my BGP on now! Thanks for the push!
*Although, as a Brit, I’d actually call them BGK (Big Girl Knickers)!
Indoor track = pure genius!
STAY IN THE BABY LANE!
My mom is a HUGE fan of walking. For my entire life, she has always taken walks every day. Apparently when I was little, she used to just throw my brother and I in the stroller and walk for miles!
Good thinking!!!
What a great idea! I’m definitely going to keep this in mind for when we have kids!
Our mall allows walkers either before or after stores close, as well as I suppose during the day. It’s kind of weird to see random people walking laps with headphones in and stuff, but whatever works for them, I guess…
Our Y’s indoor track would be too crowded for a stroller most days, probably. Not sure they even allow strollers on the track. I’d have to ask people who actually go there, lol.
Great idea!! I really like indoor tracks because you don’t have to deal with traffic and crossing the street
Personally, I do not think this is a good idea. At my gym I have seen a few women try to do this and they were asked to leave the track. If no one else is on the track I don’t think its a huge deal, but it could become a definite safety issue for everyone (both runners and baby) if there is ever a time when the track is busy.
That’s a great idea! And now you can go for a walk anytime of the day and not worry about the heat!
That’s such a great idea! I’m loving all of your Henry stories!
I love the idea of an indoor walking track! Unfortunately no gyms in my area have one though. I don’t think they’re as ‘big’ in Australia (yet?).
I think they should be a staple in gyms- if the weather’s not good outside the only other option is the treadmill, which is BORING & isn’t as good for you as ‘natural’ running (so they say). At the moment, I am coming back from a knee injury & doing little jogging stints on my own ‘mini’ running track in my house! Not even joking. Our hallway loops all the way round, so every 5 minutes I jump off my treadmill (which I am power walking on) & do 5 laps in each direction, & then jump back on & walk. That’s as close as I’ll get to a legit indoor running track, but I’m loving it! 
That’s a perfect idea! I’m going to file that away for once I get to the baby-making stage.
That is SO awesome! Did you have to double check with the gym staff to make sure it was okay first?
“Mall exercise” haha what a great idea!
It’s so odd that they alternate clockwise and counterclockwise – like if you forgot what day it was, you’d get in trouble?
That’s a really great idea! It is unbearably hot out these days, really looking forward to the rain tomorrow and cooler temps.
I love reading your updates Caitlin! They always make me smile- and want another baby!
What an awesome idea to use an indoor track- and you look wonderful!
I’m so jealous! I wish we had an indoor track somewhere around in OKC. It definitely beats the awful AWFUL treadmill.
That’s awesome! Yay for indoor walks
When my baby is born it will be cold, so I plan on taking the baby to the indoor track for walks.
What an awesome idea! Way to go!!
I’ve never been a part of a gym with an indoor track, but what a great idea!
Okay, well i didn’t wanna say what everyone else has already said.. but it truly was a great idea of heading to the indoor track! Awesome job for knocking out 2 miles girl! Hope you & the family continued to have an amazing weekend together <3
I had never seen an indoor track like that until I worked out at the YMCA in Dallas. They had a great indoor track and I think it’s a good idea!
I never thought to walk the baby on an indoor track. Our little one is due at the end of August, so I’m hoping that by September, the weather will have cooled down a little bit.
I think it’s sweet that you and your dad are workout buddies. And now Henry too!