Children Running Races

[Anonymous]

As a runner, I have seen quite a few kids running 5ks and 10ks. If your child has run such a race, what kind of training did they do beforehand?

[Anonymous]

Mine hasn't done it, but a friends kids have,and most just go out and run. They have great natural stamina. Basic playing outside seems to be the key.

[Anonymous]

My 10 year old runs cross country at his middle school. He's just good at it. Fast with good stamina.

[Anonymous]

My 10 yo has run a few 5k's (all sponsored by his ES). He just goes out and runs. No real training other than the running around in the neighborhood he does with his friends.

[Anonymous]

Our niece began running as she was a natural athlete and played soccer. No formal training. As an adult she runs races as therapy since her mom and dad both died in the last two years.

[Anonymous]

My kids do a 5k "fun run" every spring as a benefit for their elementary school. The top 3 finishers get ribbons. My kids do not train for it and have never come close to winning it. However, they have a blast. It takes my 10-year-old 25-30 minutes to run 5k.

[Anonymous]

My girls ran their first 5K with Girls on the Run, which isn't actually a running program, and does not claim to train kids to run a 5K.

If you want to run a 5K with your child, i would suggest taking them on a few runs beforehand so that you can explain how to set a pace, use intervals, etc. Don't take it too seriously or make them run a whole 5K. Maybe just do a mile if they are up for it. and this isn't even completely necessary. As others have said, they can probably complete the race without any practice runs at all.

At the race, don't pressure them to run the entire time. Many kids can just do it. Especially if they play sports. Others need to walk at least part of it, and that's fine. But I would encourage them to run when they feel like they can. When we do 5Ks, my kids set goals - "I will run the whole first mile without stopping" "I will only walk uphill and run the rest of it" "I will start running again when we get around the corner". But sometimes, especially if the course is fun, they just want to walk and take their time.

[Anonymous]

In the 1970s kids used to run the NY Marathon. There was a really interesting article about it in 2010 but i can't remember if it was in the NYTimes or the Economist.

[Anonymous]

My 8-year-old trains for 5Ks by "chasing the boys at recess." She finds it highly motivating.

[Anonymous]

What did 20:08 mean by saying Girls on the Run isn't a running program? What is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did 20:08 mean by saying Girls on the Run isn't a running program? What is it?

Girls on the Run is a character development program that uses running as the basis for its in-depth curriculum aimed at girls ages 8-13 to prepare them to be confident and healthy young women. I just pulled this from their national site:
"Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-20 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.

Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological, and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5k running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did 20:08 mean by saying Girls on the Run isn't a running program? What is it?

Girls on the Run is a character development program that uses running as the basis for its in-depth curriculum aimed at girls ages 8-13 to prepare them to be confident and healthy young women. I just pulled this from their national site:
"Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-20 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.

Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological, and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5k running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can."

GOTR IS a running program. Yes, it is supposed to develop character/inspire/motivate, but it does so through running. At least at our school.
Silly goose.

[Anonymous]

DD hated her after school art class that was actually a nazi youth corps (kidding -- but it was very scripted and rule-based and didn't allow freedom to choose theme or content). She would see through a character lesson disguised as a running club. Can kids just be kids who run in GOTR?

[Anonymous]

I'm starting to sign up my 6-year-old for 1-milers next month - I'll run with her, though my usual distance is 10K-10-Milers, to make it more fun for her. Once she's used to running a mile at a time, we'll go longer till we get to 5K. She plays soccer and gets a lot of playing time, so she's used to running a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD hated her after school art class that was actually a nazi youth corps (kidding -- but it was very scripted and rule-based and didn't allow freedom to choose theme or content). She would see through a character lesson disguised as a running club. Can kids just be kids who run in GOTR?

I'm 2:06. There may be some coaches at some schools who focus heavily on the running and gloss over the curriculum. If they do, frankly, they are doing it wrong and missing the point. The curriculum is the mission of Girls on the Run and if the girls walk away at the end of the season without having some additional insight into themselves and the world around them, then they missed out. Each 60min session should typically be divided almost 50-50 between the curriculum component and the running workout. And, oftentimes the workout isn't just "Go run for 20min", it's actually a set of running activities built around the day's theme.

If you have questions, reach out to the office in whatever jurisdiction you're in. DC, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia each have their own councils.