the dreaded elementary school mile run

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

She can, but she's never done it in less than 14 minutes.

[Anonymous]

If it isn't physical, it's a psychological barrier.

[Anonymous]

Gymnastics is actually fairly anaerobic - done in short bursts.

What will happen if she can’t finish the mile though? They won’t hold her back so does it really matter?

[Anonymous]

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?

Since she's engaged in another sport 3-5 days a week and presumably otherwise healthy, this is all completely in her head. She can do it, she just chooses not to.... or maybe a better way to think of it is that she's not suitably incentivized to do it. The best approach would be to figure out what carrot(s) might work here and discuss that with her and see how if that works.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

What was the gym teacher's concern, exactly? That there was a physical issue?

I can't imagine she's the ONLY child who can't do this. Is this a private school?

[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.

DP but I think your impression is far from OP's case. She has a 10 year old who probably doesn't break a sweat or raise her heart rate at all in her recreational gymnastics class. Which is fine! My DD loves dance but at that age it wasn't going to move the needle for her cardio or stamina

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

She can, but she's never done it in less than 14 minutes.

Is she even trying? 14 min/mile is a leisurely stroll even for old people. A healthy 10 year old should be able to do this in a lot less time even if they walk most of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

She can, but she's never done it in less than 14 minutes.

Is she even trying? 14 min/mile is a leisurely stroll even for old people. A healthy 10 year old should be able to do this in a lot less time even if they walk most of it.

+1

That said, I’m surprised the PE teacher even called you about it….I mean, why even care about this TBH? Would they also call about a kid who can’t make a basket during the basketball unit etc? Some kids just are not athletic and/or don’t have the skill in a certain sport or area. Not unusual really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

She can, but she's never done it in less than 14 minutes.

So then that's the time the PE teacher can record.

[Anonymous]

What's the problem exactly? She's completing the mile. Is there a time she has to meet to be promoted? Surely not.

I was a gymnast and many gymnasts just are not runners. And that's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's can't run/walk it? I guess you could start jogging it with her!

She can, but she's never done it in less than 14 minutes.

Is she even trying? 14 min/mile is a leisurely stroll even for old people. A healthy 10 year old should be able to do this in a lot less time even if they walk most of it.

+1

That said, I’m surprised the PE teacher even called you about it….I mean, why even care about this TBH? Would they also call about a kid who can’t make a basket during the basketball unit etc? Some kids just are not athletic and/or don’t have the skill in a certain sport or area. Not unusual really.

I dont know this for sure but would imagine there is a standard kids must meet. Its probably leas than 14 minutes. If they dont do it, they get flagged for failure, same as if they dont have math or reading skills. This is perfectly logical to me. The kid wont get left behind but the family needs to know this is an area of concern. Possibly even more concerning than being behind in math class, honestly, this is a skill kids need. You need to be able to move a full mile at a reasonable pace. I would be grateful the teacher called.

Start making her practice. Find a mile route and walk it with her then work up to jogging until she is under 14 minutes.

[Anonymous]

I was just visiting my 26 year old who lives in Seattle (we are in CT) and the mile run came up as a topic. As we all recalled - she didn't want to do the run so walked it -- going backwards. The PE teacher was mad about it.

We all have a very vague memory that maybe it was required by the state? Who knows?

Anyway because she didn't do the run properly -- she had to report to the track at 8:00am the next Saturday. Believe me, I was not happy - neither was she. So we went, she did it and now it's just a memory to smile about and shake our heads!!

As a PS - my son was the fastest in his grade and when he finished -- he went back to run with slower kids to encourage.

Honestly it didn't impact their life in the long run.