Track- running- when do kids start?
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Anonymous
| Our family has a lot of runners. I would like to introduce DD, 6, to it but at the same time think about her wanting to run on the roads so I am hesitating. Anyone else introduce their kids to running? |
Anonymous
| My daughter ran 2 5Ks in third grade through Girls on the Run. She also runs at her sports practice 2 times per week. It worked well starting a running program at age 8. |
Anonymous
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Your DC is at a good age.
DC started coming with me to races at 4 and doing the kid races then cheering on mom. If you're in MoCo, mcrrc.org has a list of races and you can see which ones include tot trots and youth races. At 6, DC ran a 2K. Can't remember the name but it was in May. Then at 7 the school sponsored a running program. This spring was the first 5K and this summer a track program. LOVES running. Running on the road hasn't been an issue--we used to go to the track together, now we have trails. Enjoy! I love our time running together, we have great talks, some silly and some serious. |
Anonymous
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Any suggestions on good local clubs? NOVA is preferred.
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Anonymous
Where is the summer track program? |
Anonymous
| My son started running cross country in middle school. My second son is a gymnast and runs a lot in training. He ran his first 5k in third grade. I know a few kids who started younger, maybe second grade. |
Anonymous
| Is running really a good sport to introduce a young kid? It's hard on the body, my brother ran since middle school, he blew out his knee in college. Also would you want your DD running by herself when she gets older? I wouldn't encourage it, try tennis or swimming instead. |
Anonymous
| Our DS started at age 5 with a small local, low-key track club because he didn't like soccer. Now his older sister participates as well. Ours is run through the same athletic org that does soccer/football/etc in our area. |
Anonymous
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Another poster interested in NOVA track training for elementary DD, but not necessarily highly competitive at this point.
TIA |
Anonymous
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I think early exposure to all sports is good.
I began running track competitively at age 6 all the way through high school. I earned a full-paid scholarship in track and X-country. I am just over 40 now and would love to run more but the decades and decades of high impact on my joints and muscles have pretty much side-lined me. Again, push participation in all sports and start focusing the child around the middle school/ freshman HS timeframe. Keep it fun for as long as possible... |
Anonymous
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Jay Wendt (probably spelled that wrong) runs a nice program at TJ middle school in the winter. He's very gentle, and gets a wide assortment of kids. I'm actually the one who wanted NOVA options. I like his program, but it tends to conflict with our other activities.
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Anonymous
Of course I wouldn't mind him running by himself (or with peers, is generally how they do it). He bikes to school, bikes home, lets himself in with a key and then walks the dog. We'd like to find someone who can do training for jumping. |
Anonymous
| CYA has spring track. We are trying Reston Runners this summer but it filled up the first week of registration. |
Anonymous
I am considering introducing my 7 year old to minimalist shoes for running to address the injury issue and use running to help strengthen her feet. I was completely sold on the damage done by post-1970s running shoes when I read Born to Run. That said, I am using myself as a test subject first. |
Anonymous
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Of course I wouldn't mind him running by himself (or with peers, is generally how they do it). He bikes to school, bikes home, lets himself in with a key and then walks the dog. We'd like to find someone who can do training for jumping. How old is your kid? You let him ride alone too? |