Kids Running...Growing Pains...Etc (Read 670 times)

I grew up with parents like how you describe yourself and let me just say it wasn't fun. They didn't think they were putting pressure on me, but I felt it. I quit baseball and football because the pressure of trying to perform up to their expectations got to be too much. In college, I chose the easiest courses my freshman year because I could easily pull a 4.0. Things like math are skills that if you don't use it, you lose it. So I went from taking Calculus in H.S. to elementary statistics in college. When later I went to harder courses I failed miserably because I had been out of it too long. Ended up getting out of college with a liberal arts degree...highly employable. My 8 year old is showing the same interest in running as your 7 yr old. She's going to do a 2K race Sat. Our approach is to let her run her race. The only advice I've given her is to run when she can, walk when she can't. If it takes her 20 mins., fine. It was her race. We're letting this interest be hers. If she wants to push herself if there's a next one great, but it'll be her decision. Let this be his activity. Let him choose how he participates. Don't say at the end after he finishes, "Another step ahead and you could have beat that kid." Guess what, you just put an expectation/pressure on him for next time. He now knows you are grading his performance. Anyway, that's my opinion as someone who grew up with it. Oh yeah, about "growing pains" in the legs. I got those all the time growing up. The next morning I was fine and they didn't limit any activities. He'll most likely be fine.

We were suppose to start working a little today to see where he is, and then I was going to work 2 days a week with him. The first 1 Mile Fun Run is June 7.

This is the sentence that worries me given the history you mention.. Dont try and see where he is. Dont try and "work" with him. He wants to do this because he wants to be a part of what you guys are doing. So 2 days a week just go running. Let him set the pace, let him walk when he wants, talk about fun stuff while you run, play games with the running. Do not in any way shape or form make it "training", just make it fun time together.

First, I don't take offense at all to your comments. It is something we have realized that we have let happen over the last year or two. His mom was/is very studious and I coach every thing he plays and as his coach I tend to depend on him too much at times. We are finding ways to let go little by little, so he can just relax and be himself. The few things that he has going for him is that we have realized this pretty early and everything is still fun for him...(even school) Great Race Day suggestion that we will definitely use if we even make that far. If he wants to back out I am letting him. Yeah, I was born in Indianola...went to Mississippi College...and married a girl from G-ville and been here ever since. I do miss being around Jackson at times though.

the "see where he is comment"... I wasn't saying evaluate him to train him...I simply meant run till he wants to stop at his pace...and go from there. Not set a training schedule for him... or anything like that. We are honestly attempting to fix this now and not 5 years down the road. I almost told him no b/c I want him to do it for fun and not for competition. But that is what I am looking for games...stuff like that. Something that can be more relaxing and quality time than the other stuff. This did give me an idea...he loves jokes...loves to hear them and tell them. We can have joke time as we run.

I doubt any of his friends are going to try to Run this Fun Run...but I love that "run with a friend idea".

If you desire your children to be great runners then RUN. Let them see you do it. Let them see you walking in the door dead tired at 7:00am after a grueling 10 mile tempo run--before your day begins. Let them play at the track while you complete intervals. Then- most importantly let them be there at the finish line to celebrate your achievements. Make running a big part of your life. Maybe it will become importatnt to them as well.

In what part of his legs is he experiencing pain? (quads, achilles...)