5YO and Desire to be a Runner - Help Me Think This Through

[VisionaryMom]

In February, I decided that I needed a fitness goal and registered for a 3K (1.7 mi) in mid-March. DS wanted to go with me, so I let him. He finished it in about 18 minutes, had a great time, and was ready to go again. DH waited at the finish line, and he said that DS wasn't panting or even sweaty - just cruising along grinning.

DS wanted to run a 5K in June, which I planned to do. Health issues sidelined my run, so we didn't do it. He's been pushing & pushing. DH is planning to enter a 5K in October; DS also is doing it. He's antsy to "train."

I'm glad that he enjoys it, but there is something in the back of my head telling me that it's not the best idea. What is that? Am I missing something? I have some concerns about his knees & ankles, but DH said that he doesn't think that's an issue at all. We are going to get him some cross trainers, but will that be enough?

[Miasmamma]

I would ask a health professional honestly. I know with my dogs we never did any forced exercise till after a year due to stress on bones and joints. I wouldn't do it, but that's me.

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I would ask a doctor too. I can't think of any reason he can't train, but if it's in the back of your head, there very well could be.

I have several friends in the fitness industry. I'll ask them and if they know of something, i'll let you know.

[bec]

I would start out slow, and with walk breaks as he wants them, but I see no reason he couldn't complete a 5k. I have been running with my kids for a few years now. My 9 year old did her first 5k when she was 8. But, my 6 year old is bugging me to run that distance and train for it.

I think the thing to remember is that kids (on their own) are running all over the place in their normal day to day. They have a much higher base fitness level than most adults, I would guess. The biggest problem my kids have with running is that they get bored pretty quickly.

With that said, I would not have huge mileage. That could be hard on their joints. But, a couple miles 2-3 times a week will get him ready to run that distance while still being cautious with his legs. Maybe take him to a running store and ask them about getting him fitted for good running shoes (something I would recommend for adults, too). And start with a lot of walk breaks, and build up the intervals of running slowly. Teach him how to warm up slowly, cool down and stretch.

By all means, talk to your doctor first, if that makes you feel better, but I think you will be given the all clear! And have fun!!!

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In the meantime, I found this, but haven't really looked through it yet.
http://www.kidsrunning.com/krasktraining.html

http://running.about.com/od/trailrun...artrunning.htm

[Alison's Mom]

When I was a kid, I was running track and also going for 2-3 km runs with my dad when I was about 7 or 8. I ran my first 10K at age 12.

One of the moms at our school is a personal trainer and brings groups of kids running for distances up to 10K. The youngest child is 6yrs old. I was asking her about a 6yr old running that distance, and they do go slow, and take walking breaks. In fact, she buys donut holes and gives each kid one when they finish each km, so 10 donut holes per kid for finishing the run! I'm not sure about donut holes as an incentive, but she thinks it works great.

My DD, when she was 4.5, went on a 3km run with me and did great.

I would go to my local running store and getting proper running shoes as opposed to cross trainers. The running stores will hopefully have sales people that know what type of shoes to buy, whereas general sportswear or department stores generally won't.

I agree that checking with your doctor is a good idea, or if you know a sports med, or physiotherapist, I would ask them, as they would likely know more than a regular GP.

Sounds like fun, and I would encourage it!

[Surfacing]

[34me]

I know this is girls but they are just a little older http://www.girlsontherun.org/theprogram.html

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OK.. so, my fitness trainer and doctor friends gave me these links. I haven't even looked at these links.

http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?...entDisplay.cfm

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org...119/6/1242.pdf

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0830.htm

A health-history specific to the child should be performed by a qualified health professional to give specific clearance and advice about the suitability of endurance events for children. In general it is safe, but children aren’t small adults and have special concerns such as immaturity of the thermoregulatory systems, growth plates and cardiorespiratory systems.

I can't even pronounce some of that.

[waiflywaif]

A 5K is really not very far. A healthy 5-year-old probably runs that much just while playing (not all at once, but still). I wouldn't even ask a doctor about that personally, although I would for any longer distances.

[tjjazzy]

in our town, there's an annual road race. there's a 16k run and an 8k "fun run." TONS of kids run the 8k every year. it doesn't seem to be hard for/on them at all. i think it's fantastic when kids take the initiative to exercise, though i would look into good shoes etc. to ensure continued leg/ankle/foot etc health.

[VisionaryMom]

I'm going to let him do it, but I will find him shoes. We don't have any good sports shoe stores here, so I'm not sure what I'll find. We have both Hibbett & Dick's, but the salespeople don't seem very knowledgeable at either. I'll do some research on what he needs, and I really think I may have to order his size (size 10 in the toddler section). Yeah, he's small.

To clarify, I'm not worried about him being able to run the length of the race. I'm sure he can without incentive or difficulty. In fact, DH is more worried about keeping pace with DS than anything! My concern is about whether we're potentially doing damage if he becomes a frequent long-distance runner. (I do think 3.1 miles is a good distance for a 5YO.) One of the reasons I'd never encourage gymnastics is that I've seen what it does to joints, and I'm not sure if running will be the same because of the constant impact.

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http://www.zappos.com/product/7645123/color/236756

Zappos has some good asics in toddler size. You could look by size and see what else they have in his size.

[ewe+lamb]

Our kids and the three cousins just completed a fun run which they loved, and would have happily run it all over again, they did take the odd break to look at the bugs along the way but they all loved it, ages from 4 to 9 and it was a 5K run, seems fine to me our dd is looking forward to running more now - I think it's great personally - but that's just me.

[meemee]

Originally Posted by VisionaryMom

My concern is about whether we're potentially doing damage if he becomes a frequent long-distance runner. (I do think 3.1 miles is a good distance for a 5YO.) One of the reasons I'd never encourage gymnastics is that I've seen what it does to joints, and I'm not sure if running will be the same because of the constant impact.

the answer is not doing just one activity. focusing on just one. i remember this nyt article a while back talking about the rise in children's sports injuries. and all the doctors were saying its coz they were all doing the ONE thing and using the same set of muscles.

since your child is interested in athletics and enjoys it i would get him involved in both running and gymnastics and soccer and whatever else he is interested in. if he is into gymnastics i would definitely encourage it.

i also have ex pro gymnasts friends. the trouble happens in teenage years when they spend hours upon hours training - using the same set of muscles and ignoring the others.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by meemee

the answer is not doing just one activity. focusing on just one. i remember this nyt article a while back talking about the rise in children's sports injuries. and all the doctors were saying its coz they were all doing the ONE thing and using the same set of muscles.

Ha! I think you figured out what was in the back of my mind! I remember reading that article. He also does a combo ballet/tap class and plays soccer, so he's getting some work with other muscle groups throughout the year.

[butterfly_mommy]

I saw some wonderful Saucony in toddler sizes at Winners (not sure if they have Winners in the US) and New Balance also makes toddler sizes. My 2.5 year old wears the same size as your DS Both brands can be orderd online and they are real running shoes and two of my fav brands to run in (well when I ran )