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Kids and Running
I have just started running again after a nasty car accident and total laziness. We have a treadmill in our living room that both DH and I run on. Anytime I get on it, DS (9) is insistant about running on it when Im done. I love that he wants to run and be active, but its a machine for adults and I am not comfortable with him using past the moderate walking speed. (I am always right next to him when he uses it.)
But he also wants to run with me outside too. At this point I am doing interval running so I am not going very far so i dont have a problem with him running with me. But what about when I sign up for races and going further distances. What amount of "training" should I allow him to do? He will push himself really far if he knows this is something that grownups get to do. He wants to eat like us, workout like us, train like us. Hes an only child and always has been included in everything we do, so he jsut assumes that he should be allowed to do this too. He is in great health besides maybe a possible slight athsma just from excersise which I have had my whole life and only recently diagnosed with.
I like that he wants to do this with me, but I want to make sure I set some kind of limitations until he is older and his body can handle it. He plays baseball so they do a lot of running, but its short distances. Am I crazy for letting him do this so early in his life? Or should I embrace it and let his body tell him when enough is enough?
Re: Kids and Running
I just saw the pediatrician yesterday with one of my kids and asked him about my 5 year old running. She is the same way about the treadmill. His only concern was that it is mechanical and she should be under strict supervision (like you are.)
He said that outside running around is no big deal and it is great that she wants to emulate what we are doing. (One of the many reasons we are doing it!)
So one thing my DH and I do is that we do our own runs then when we get back we do a mile loop with my daughter. She is still learning how to listen to her body so it is a lot of run and walk. It serves as a cool down for my DH and I. When I used the jogging stroller, I let her run what she can and then she gets in the stroller.
She is actually signed up a PeeWee mile on St. Patrick's Day and is raising money for our local childrens' hospital.
Running on the Rhode
I hate you very much
An article you would find useful.
Girls on the Run takes girls beginning in 3rd grade, so 8 or 9. They train over 2-3 months to run/walk a 5K. My oldest will be doing this in a few weeks.
If he wants to do it I say let him! Both of my girls (7 and 9) ask to run with me. I don't take them on a real run (they're way too slow) but will go out and do 1-2 miles at a very slow jog/walk pace. They love it. They've done a one mile kids fun run and had a blast.
As long as it's seen as a fun thing to do and he's not overworking and hurting himself, I say let him do it.
My kids also ask to use our elliptical machine which we let them do but they get bored with it after a minute or two. They much prefer to go for a run outside.
A great question and some great answers! I was just wondering all of the same things that you are.
My youngest son, age 9, is short and stocky, whereas his older brother is tall and skinny. That does mean that some day he will get very even with his big brother...but....I can see in him that he could become overweight easily if he doesn't watch his diet and stay active. I want those to be habits in both of my children from the beginning, but him in particular. I have often wondered when he can start joining me.
Thanks for all the info!!
Spring is just around the corner - maybe take him to a local track w/ you or go for "fun runs" together. I do this w/ my 4 year old all the time - sometimes we go around the block, sometimes we go a mile or more - she is a speedy little lady!!! In no way do I push her, but when we talk about it I say, mommy runs to help her body and I leave it at that.
I would never let her on a TM, but, as I said, she is much younger than your child.
I can't comment about treadmills. We don't own one. But in terms of outdoor running...
DS1 is very athletic and has run several 5Ks with me (he is almost 7). We sometimes we train together, and on those runs I let him dictate the speed/distance. But I don't take him all of the time. I think it's great to run with your child, but he/she has to understand that adults and kids have unique training levels/goals. DS gets kind of pouty about getting left behind sometimes, but I explain to him that getting some run time on my own helps make me a better mom when I am home
Hope this is helpful!