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3 Replies Last post: May 24, 2008 3:46 PM by Bralen  
Click to view Gofishtlp's profile Rookie 2 posts since
Mar 30, 2008
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May 16, 2008 3:04 PM

Running with my 12 year old

Summer vacation is almost upon us and I am hoping to conitnue my running plans since I am training for some sprint tri's. I typically run three times a week for 3 to 4 miles each and I am slow (10:30 pace). I am going to enter my 12 year old and my 9 year old son in some kid's runs and also some regular 5K runs for the 12 year old over the summer. Is there any advice out there for a training plan for the 12 year old? He is quite lazy and will resist, but he needs it and can do it if he tries - he just needs to know he can do it. I've searched the web and I've done the C25K (he did the 20 minute runs with me) but I am looking for any other advice. I definitely don't want him to end up injured or pushed too hard. Thanks!
Click to view He's Going the Distance's profile Amateur 23 posts since
Feb 18, 2008
1. May 16, 2008 3:14 PM in response to: Gofishtlp
Re: Running with my 12 year old

I have an 11 year old son who has run 2 5ks, a 3-miler, and a 3K with me in the last 12 months. I think you're safe with any kind of novice 5K training plan. I don't know much about going further than that, though I have seen (and been beaten by) kids that age in a 10K. My son didn't really follow a structured training plan; he'd just run 1.5 miles one week, 2 miles the next, and so on. Unfortunately, he says he's bored with running now, even though in my opinion he has potential (a 30:30 5-K when he was 10 and a 29:18 3-miler earlier this year).

I guess what I'm trying to say is, they are certainly capable of training up to a 5K or even 10K - I'd follow the same rules as an adult new to running to prevent overtraining. They can physically take it - keeping/getting them interested is another story.

Click to view brethelm's profile Amateur 25 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. May 16, 2008 7:58 PM in response to: Gofishtlp
Re: Running with my 12 year old
Your son should be fine. I'm in the middle of week 6 in the C25K with my 10 year old daughter, and she was completely out of shape in the beginning. Now, I can barely keep up with her. I hope to get her into some local 5K's as well this year.
Click to view Bralen's profile Amateur 13 posts since
Mar 31, 2008
3. May 24, 2008 3:46 PM in response to: brethelm
Re: Running with my 12 year old
Just to add in here I just finished C25K with my 13 year old daughter and we'll both be moving on to One Hour Runner.