10 Replies to “Youth Running: Not a question of age but rather, the relationship”
What a timely post – Hunter (my youngest) wants to run a half marathon in late spring since he is turning 13 in April. (not sure where he came up with the idea of running his age on his birthday?!) Anyway, I’m torn – I want him to love running and I’m afraid that following a training plan will end up being too much for him. At the same time, I want him to be prepared so that the race isn’t a bad experience.
Next week kicks off our 12 week training program – I guess I will just play it by ear and if he starts getting burned out we will back off.
i think the difference here is that i KNOW you’re a smart enough runner/mom to honestly make sure he’s okay. the fact you’re struggling with the decision to let him run is proof right there. play it by ear, i’ve got full faith Hunter will grow up loving running too. 🙂
My V started running 5ks last year at the ripe old age of 5. He is currently 6 and has finished 4 5ks, two kids marathons, and goes to our walk2run runs, and participates. We went out tonight to run with our walk2run group, and found it to be too icy for us, the rest of the group took to the streets and I am not taking my 6yr old to the street. So we headed back to the store and waited for everyone to return. I think the best part is that the group loves him, and involves him. They listen to him and his ideas and I think he actually loves hanging out with the crowd more than the actual running.
great article! I was just thinking about this yesterday because I saw a boy (probably like 7) training with a PT at the gym. The PT was so kind and motivating, and the child loved being there, and at one point the PT said “ok that’s it for this exercise” and the kid goes, “no I can do 2 more reps!” it was so cute.
I think that these themes apply to kids and sports/being active in general. Just as we tell adults, they need to find something they love in order to be enthusiastic about it. Hopefully my kids love running 😉
I don’t think there’s necessarily a “too young” age, but I think that the desire to run and to improve has to come from the kid. It’s the parents job to guide them and to protect them. One of my favorite things to see at a 5K is the kids that take off like a bat out of hell, and three minutes later they’re walking. Then here they come sprinting by you again, only to slow to a walk minutes later again. That’s the purest form of running right there. They’re listening to their bodies. And they kids- who cares if they don’t understand pacing and being able to run steady throughout a race. They’re having fun 🙂
Here’s a great example about a local 9 year old boy that likes to run a local half marathon that has over 4,000 feet of elevation due to climbing two mountains during the race. The kid was interested in the race, so his mom made sure he had the right shoes and was adequately prepared to complete the distance. People saw a 9 year old running and immediately criticized her without knowing any other details. But this kid passed me on a hill around mile 10. The spectators were kind of quiet, so the kid starts waving his arms in the air as he runs up the hill and gets them all cheering. He was having a blast! No one was pushing him to do the race. He was out there because he wanted to be. I talked to his mom later that day, and she said he’s gotten faster than her so she has to find other people to run with him during races 🙂
Now I do think that kids should at least wait until 16 or 17 years old to run a marathon, because it’s punishing and mentally very tough. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to immediately criticize the parents if there is a kid out there running.
eeek. like u said, it’s not fair to judge situations right off the bat…BUT i kinda think, like you, even if the child WANTS to run, it’s a parent’s role to know when to hold them back.
I occasionally get asked if I coach kids. I think I’ll just send this article to those folks, as it pretty much sums up my philosophy COMPLETELY: If they’re old enough, and making the decision themselves, and don’t want to run too long for their age…OK. But the moment I get a whiff that they’re not enjoying it…time to pull the plug.
AMEN, Holly!!! i’m the same way, any time i catch a whiff of a pressuring coach or parent i want to swipe the poor kiddo and send them off to the circus for some fun! 🙂 the saddest thing is when kids lose the passion for fitness and running because of bad experiences early on.
What a timely post – Hunter (my youngest) wants to run a half marathon in late spring since he is turning 13 in April. (not sure where he came up with the idea of running his age on his birthday?!) Anyway, I’m torn – I want him to love running and I’m afraid that following a training plan will end up being too much for him. At the same time, I want him to be prepared so that the race isn’t a bad experience.
Next week kicks off our 12 week training program – I guess I will just play it by ear and if he starts getting burned out we will back off.
i think the difference here is that i KNOW you’re a smart enough runner/mom to honestly make sure he’s okay. the fact you’re struggling with the decision to let him run is proof right there. play it by ear, i’ve got full faith Hunter will grow up loving running too. 🙂
My V started running 5ks last year at the ripe old age of 5. He is currently 6 and has finished 4 5ks, two kids marathons, and goes to our walk2run runs, and participates. We went out tonight to run with our walk2run group, and found it to be too icy for us, the rest of the group took to the streets and I am not taking my 6yr old to the street. So we headed back to the store and waited for everyone to return. I think the best part is that the group loves him, and involves him. They listen to him and his ideas and I think he actually loves hanging out with the crowd more than the actual running.
i’m glad you were smart and opted not to run in those icy conditions! stay safe and warm! 🙂
great article! I was just thinking about this yesterday because I saw a boy (probably like 7) training with a PT at the gym. The PT was so kind and motivating, and the child loved being there, and at one point the PT said “ok that’s it for this exercise” and the kid goes, “no I can do 2 more reps!” it was so cute.
I think that these themes apply to kids and sports/being active in general. Just as we tell adults, they need to find something they love in order to be enthusiastic about it. Hopefully my kids love running 😉
thanks! yea, sounds like we’re on the same page. aaaand, here’s to hoping ur kiddos choose the best sport. 😉
I don’t think there’s necessarily a “too young” age, but I think that the desire to run and to improve has to come from the kid. It’s the parents job to guide them and to protect them. One of my favorite things to see at a 5K is the kids that take off like a bat out of hell, and three minutes later they’re walking. Then here they come sprinting by you again, only to slow to a walk minutes later again. That’s the purest form of running right there. They’re listening to their bodies. And they kids- who cares if they don’t understand pacing and being able to run steady throughout a race. They’re having fun 🙂
Here’s a great example about a local 9 year old boy that likes to run a local half marathon that has over 4,000 feet of elevation due to climbing two mountains during the race. The kid was interested in the race, so his mom made sure he had the right shoes and was adequately prepared to complete the distance. People saw a 9 year old running and immediately criticized her without knowing any other details. But this kid passed me on a hill around mile 10. The spectators were kind of quiet, so the kid starts waving his arms in the air as he runs up the hill and gets them all cheering. He was having a blast! No one was pushing him to do the race. He was out there because he wanted to be. I talked to his mom later that day, and she said he’s gotten faster than her so she has to find other people to run with him during races 🙂
Now I do think that kids should at least wait until 16 or 17 years old to run a marathon, because it’s punishing and mentally very tough. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to immediately criticize the parents if there is a kid out there running.
eeek. like u said, it’s not fair to judge situations right off the bat…BUT i kinda think, like you, even if the child WANTS to run, it’s a parent’s role to know when to hold them back.
I occasionally get asked if I coach kids. I think I’ll just send this article to those folks, as it pretty much sums up my philosophy COMPLETELY: If they’re old enough, and making the decision themselves, and don’t want to run too long for their age…OK. But the moment I get a whiff that they’re not enjoying it…time to pull the plug.
AMEN, Holly!!! i’m the same way, any time i catch a whiff of a pressuring coach or parent i want to swipe the poor kiddo and send them off to the circus for some fun! 🙂 the saddest thing is when kids lose the passion for fitness and running because of bad experiences early on.