Parents of Runners (X-Country, Distance)

[dejr_8]

From your experience, when is it appropriate for kids to start running/training on a regular basis?

Is 11 too young? My son likes to run and I want to encourage him but I don't want him to hurt himself by starting too early.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I have a 14 year old XC runner. I do not think 11 is too young as long as he has proper running shoes. My ds was doing track and XC at that age.

 

[Leenk]

I started running cross country when I was in 6th grade, so did my brother. It's important to get good shoes that fits your son's feet type. It's best to go to a specialty running shoes store to have them figure out what kind of feet your son has. You can also look at Runner's World website, they have a nice section on shoe selection and feet diagnosis.

Also, will your son train with a coach or team? If he does, make sure the coach isn't giving him workouts that fit the older kids. Sometimes 11 year olds are the youngest on a team, but they have to run as a group with 13-14 year olds and gets pushed too far, too fast.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Around here, 6th graders can be on the XC team, but typically don't run the higher level races, like states. This is a big running town, and they even have running clubs for 4th and 5th graders--I think they do a mile, once a week.

I have to agree on going to a specialty shoe place. We went to Dick's the first few times, were pointed to another local retailer, and it was like night and day. The down side was, I paid much more for the shoes, but they actually looked at the shape of DD's foot, her walk, asked her a lot of questions, and then made recommendations.

We also have XC camp in the summer up here. It's day camp (one night overnight), and my DD14 got a lot out of it. In fact, it was funny--she'd run XC for a couple years, liked it well wnough, but when she got through with camp, she was a different person--all of a sudden, she was talking about her passion for running and keeping a running journal, etc. Up until then, she'd been a dancer who runs.

 

[Deb in IA]

My niece has been running up to 3 miles from age 9. She regularly beats not only all the girls, but most of the boys in the fun runs that she does.

Yes, good shoes, experienced training are a must. I also recommend keeping a running log, and paying close attention to how her body respondes - any aches and pains should be addressed and not allowed to become more serious injuries.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with all of the above.

I think your key to find is the top distance safe for their age.

i.e. you wouldn't go toss a 12 yo in a full marathon even if they could do it. It simply isn't safe for their bodies (and hence why marathons have age minimums!)

I don't know the structure, but the more knowledge you have, the better you will be able to keep your child safe to make sure they are not overtraining for their age and physiology.

If you got to a running specialty store, they are often staffed by folks who actually run who may be able to give you some advice as well. They might also know of some good books as well.

I remember at 9yo, I was doing some 2-3 mile runs with minimal training. While I don't recommend that (I was told when coming off of the plane for a visit that my dad had put me in these things. ), I'm just mentioning that with training, those distances are not too bad.

Also--some people are built for sprint distances while others are built for endurance. I'm built for the latter. I run like a snail, but can go very far with adequate training.

Injury prevention is also key. Being familiar with what are "normal" aches and pains of training for a sport versus what is an injury and being comfortable resting an injury. Avid runners often get antsy when having to sit out for a seemingly simple but painful injury. But not doing so could sometimes mean never running again.

I would also check the coach's experience. What training they have had, what they have run, and what their overall philosophy is.

 

[minniebeth]

A proper diet for kids running at that age is important too along with the proper training and athletic wear such as shoes, etc. like others have said.

 

[DisneyMim]

If they are interested I would let them run. Start off slow and let him work his way up in distance. As others have said, a good diet and shoes are very important. My son didn't start running until winter of his freshman year. He had always played soccer and did that in the fall of his freshman year. He then started to get interested in running and ran for the next 11 seasons, made varsity as a freshman and ended up with 11 letters. He did XC, indoor track and track and field. He was even recruited for college, but didn't want to run anymore. I'm saying all this to let people know that you can start at any age if you have it in you. My son didn't have an interest when he was younger, but if he did I would have started him in our town's youth program. He still likes to run for "himself" and for health. He just tired of the long workouts, etc. I think XC/track is a wonderful sport. You can go at your own pace and just compete with yourself. The whole team would cheer everyone on, it didn't matter if you came in first or last. They were all a great bunch of kids. I can even remember kids on the other teams giving my son advice, etc.

Good Luck!!

 

[pooh4evr]

My family started running in road races when I was 9, and my youngest sister was 3 when she ran her first 1 mile race. We ran everyday after school or in the mornings during the summer- usually about 3 miles a day. I think about a yr later we joined a track team through the Boys Club, we practiced 4 nights a week and had meets on the weekends. I did this until High School when I joined the hs teams, and we ran from 3-8 miles a day. Definately invest in good shoes, and other attire, and a good diet, lots of water, fruit, and HAVE FUN!!

 

[Magic Mom]

11 is fine. DD started CC at age 8. She had a 5 YO on her team and a few 6 YOs. Here lots of schools have elementary and middle school cross country teams.

 

[hentob]

The whole team would cheer everyone on, it didn't matter if you came in first or last. They were all a great bunch of kids. I can even remember kids on the other teams giving my son advice, etc.

XC is like that all over. Kids cheering for opposing teams Parents SCREAMING for every child on the course

AMAZING sport

 

[Doe]

XC is like that all over. Kids cheering for opposing teams Parents SCREAMING for every child on the course

AMAZING sport

So true! My son did xc in high school for 3 years and hands down they showed the best sportsmanship in all of high school sports. One meet that especially stands out to me was a couple years ago down in Oregon. There was a young lady who was struggling very much and was the last runner to be finishing up. Every team there stood cheering her on with words of encouragement.

 

[FireDancer]

I waited until I was 27 to start running and wish I had started earlier.

I do a lot of local 5Ks and there are some kids under 10 that do them but for the most part the youngest are usually around 11. In 2007 I did a 5K where the overall winner was 11 and finished in the 18's.

I have to agree with everyone that said go to a specialty running store. This is the first piece of advice we give anyone on the W.I.S.H. boards. They will watch the runners gait and make multiple foot measurements to make sure you or your child get the right shoe for them as opposed to the best looking. The store I go to is owned by an exercise physiologist and it is not uncommon for the stores to have staff with specialties like that. They may also be a great resource for asking questions about how to nurture a young runner.

Good luck.

 

[hentob]

There was a young lady who was struggling very much and was the last runner to be finishing up. Every team there stood cheering her on with words of encouragement.

I have witnessed many of those tear jerkers

It is truly a wonderful sport.

 

[pyrxtc]

My DS6 has been running for the last year. So far, just small stuff but will be doing his first 1 mile soon. Next year it will be a 5k. We don't want him to hurt himself or injure anything that will ruin his baseball career. I know he is young for a baseball career but we are thinking long term and know his muscles need training. He starts rookie ball in the spring and was number 1 batter on his team and first base was his place. I want him to do the things that he loves and runing and baseball are those things. He loves any kind of sports but if he plays them, he will be trained correctly and not pushed too hard so he doesn't hurt himself along the way.

He is hoping to runa marathon with his father soon but we told him no. A 5k will be the max until he is older, maybe a half marathon when he is 9 or 10 depending on his training.

 

[golfgal]

XC is like that all over. Kids cheering for opposing teams Parents SCREAMING for every child on the course

AMAZING sport

I agree-it is the only sport where EVERYONE competes and the 5th place finisher is usually more important than the 1st place finisher. We love cross country-Dh ran all through middle, high school and college.

OP, I would contact the high school coach and get recommendations from him/her and see if there is a running club or program for younger kids in your area.

 

[Tiggeroo]

My son is a distance runner who did four years of track/xc inhs and now college. He is currently anassistant hs coach. My advice do the proper stretches and cool down. Go to a good running store not a big box store for the first pair of shoes. Once you find the right shoe you can find them cheaper online. Don't increase your mileage too quickly. Young kids don't need to do super high mileage. Listen to your body. If you feel a bit sore ice afterwords and lower the mileage. A good trick is to freeze Dixie cups of water and then peel some paper off and use as an ice stick.

 

[asta]

XC is like that all over. Kids cheering for opposing teams Parents SCREAMING for every child on the course

AMAZING sport

I don't have much to add here but had to chime in with everyone else. XC is an amazing sport. My daughters ran XC and it was one of the best things they did in MS and HS. This sport gave them confidence and life long friends. I know that I am biased but distance runners are usually smart, dedicated and organized students. Every runner is supported whether you are the fastest or slowest one on the team. And you can continue to run for health for the rest of your life while other sports end after you finish school. I truly think that XC gets what sportsmanship is about better than any other sport.

I don't think your son is too young, just get him good shoes and make sure that he gets new ones often.

 

[golfgal]

One of the best t-shirt ever too:

Cross Country, the only sport where the PARENTS need to be in shape

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My DD's favorite XC motto is, "And on the seventh day, God ran an easy three!"

I have to agree on the sportmanship and team aspects. You don't tend to think of running as a team sport, but they do so much to support and encourage each other! I was nervous at first, because the HS XC coach is real serious here. they made us go to a meeting last spring, and he starts going on about how XC always gets the school's sportsmanship award, always ranks top 5 in the state, always is the sport with the highest GPA in the school, etc. Talk about feeling pressure! But, DD loves it, and fits in well.

There are definitely tear-jerker moments. My personal one was at our one home meet this year--DD's friend J usually comes in a bit ahead of her. This race, they were together the whole race, and it looked like they were just chatting, not taking it seriously. I was annoyed because I thought they were slacking. I heard the true story after DD finished--her friend had had a cramp, and encouraged DD to go ahead. DD wouldn't. The got to the end, and J couldn't sprint. So, DD said, let's hold hands and cross the finish line together. J said, no, you sprint, I'm fine, go. DD ended up getting a PR on that race. the coach said, he's long given up on telling them not to stay and help a teammate. They just won't listen--the kids care less about their score than about helping their friend. You have to love a sport that brings that out in your child.