the dreaded elementary school mile run

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep going back to the fact that this doesn't matter. What was her time? She didn't do it in 14 minutes, ok. Was it 14:30? Was it 15 minutes? Longer?

I can't imagine caring. This used to be part of the Presidential Physical Fitness test of the 80s and 90s, which was USELESS. If she's fit and you don't have health concerns, I would 100% put this in the category of "she does not like running" and never think about it again.

It was just over 14 minutes.

Personally, I'm fat and out of shape. I want better for her, which is why I'm thrilled she's doing so well in gymnastics. She's already ahead of where I was at her age. I don't care much that she doesn't like to run, but I do want to help if it's something she'll need to be able to do.

Well, there you go - this might be a great "goal" for you both to work on together.

She's still faster than me, unfortunately. We've had some struggles with how she views me lately, and I don't want to add to it. Her dad's been trying, though.

[Anonymous]

I hate running. I was a competitive swimmer and I don’t think I ran a mile in ES. You can be good at one sport and not in another.

[Anonymous]

I’m a marathoner and IMO most people run in such a way that rests in injury.

Maybe DD is not running correctly. And I doubt the PE teacher knows how to run properly either, not to mention show your DD how to do it. I’m not a fan of teachers who have you run but don’t know how to teach you how to so you don’t injure yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate running. I was a competitive swimmer and I don’t think I ran a mile in ES. You can be good at one sport and not in another.

Duuuh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually gymnasts were the strongest most athletic students in middle school. Back when I was in middle school and when asking my kids, they said it's pretty much the same now.

ie they do the most pull ups, push ups, etc.

Is it possible that gymnastics is taking away from her ability to run. Not overtraining but her body just can't handle a mile run the day after doing gymnastics. And maybe give her a break the day before you know she'll have to run?

Is she actually complaining about any pain, such as shin splints or anything?

If there are no physical or conditioning issues, I'd imagine it's possibly just a mental thing where they're just not motivated to do it.

NP - My gymnast daughter can run the mile in under 8 minutes. It's not the gymnastics, if anything that should make it easier. A 14 min mile is a brisk walk, this girl is barely running at that pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could never finish the mile without walking in elementary school. In college, I started running religiously and 25 years later, I’m still going strong and finishing races faster than most people in their 20s. One of my own two kids is like me—not athletic in childhood and an awkward, uncomfortable runner, but I’m not worried about it. I take long, brisk walks with her and try to instill the importance of movement, however she may choose to get it.

Me too! The mile was the worst day of the year for me as an unathletic elementary schooler. I took up running in my late 20s and have since run marathons. I'm still not naturally athletic, but even Picked Last In Gym Kids can grow up to be in reasonable shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate running. I was a competitive swimmer and I don’t think I ran a mile in ES. You can be good at one sport and not in another.

True but for a youth athlete who is a gymnast, seems odd to bot be able to finish a mile in 14 mins due to pain.

[Anonymous]

14 minute mile? That's ... fast walking. She doesn't want to do it and she doesn't seem invested...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got a call from the PE teacher last week because my 5th grader is apparently the only one can't do it. She's thin and does gymnastics 3-5 days a week, but she always has reasons for not being able to finish the mile in PE class - and when she does, it's very slow. Her ped says she's healthy. How can we help her?

How tall is she? Short-legged people cover ground more slowly.
Go for a walk with her on known distance. Try power walking.

You think short people can't run a mile in less than 14 mins?