I'm jealous - my 15 y/o will be faster than me! (Read 1081 times)

My oldest son decided to take up running after being told by a teacher that who ever runs this one local (Frank's Run) 5k race coming up in June will get bonus points, five more points if they beat her in the race. He's never run more than a mile before but he's determined to run and really wants to beat her. So I said that I would run with him since he's not used to the distance or the course and wasn't sure how to pace himself. We ran my usual 5k course which has 4 good hills in it. The first run last week was 28:30, he had to stop twice after two of the hills. The second run, two days later we did 25:33, no stopping at all. Last night's run we did 23:43!! I am totally amazed. He does not struggle with breathing at all, even on the hills. I'm totally jealous on how he's just stepping right in to my 5k pace. At this rate he'll be helping me to my goal of 21 minute 5k speed. Do you think this is just a fluke or is it possible that he's got some natural ability? Is it common for a teen to just be that comfortable with running? He's built like a runner that's for sure. I'm confused because of how he's never run more than 1 mile until now and this seems easy to him. He's a fairly active teenager, he rides his bike to school and to work and back every day, but it's been a while since he's been on a sports team. He was a wrestler for about four years but stopped last year. I can't wait to see what our time is when we run again, either tomorrow or Thursday.

Welcome to the club. All my kids are faster than me. It's not a bad thing. However, at this point I can still run farther than they can. (I guess it's only because they don't want to.)

Now ya just gotta get him to join the XC and track teams....

It's not all that surprising. I think most kids could be faster than us old folks. My 17 yo runs cross country for his high school. I'm not even gonna pretend like I can keep up with him. My 11 yo is way faster than I am. (Of course he's faster than most 11 y/o's too, so I don't feel so bad. LOL!) My 9 yo wasfaster than I was in the mile last summer but *so far* I'm still faster at anything longer. And my 4yo dd was doing 12 minute miles last summer at age 3 so I'm guessing it won't be too long before she's leaving me behind too. ::sigh:: I remember the good old days back when I ran track and cross country in school. My times were way faster than anything I can hope to do now and I was doing a lot more flirting than I was training at that point. Running every day. No recovery time. No injuries. Ah, the joy of youth! I'm gonna go ice my hamstring now. Teresa

I don't think it's a fluke for a fairly active 15 year old boy to be able to beat his mom in a 5K, even if his mom is fitter than the average mom.

*sigh* Yes, I know that....but STILL - I wanted him to at least have to work a little bit to get where I'm at! I'm excited for him though, he was truly shocked with how well he did. Like he didn't know he had it in him.

Now ya just gotta get him to join the XC and track teams....

He mentioned it! So maybe there's a chance. Scout - I'll drag him along to one of our Saturday runs and you can show him that I'm not the only one who chats the whole time while running! (Just kidding- I don't think he'd care to run that long anyhow.)

Sippi, The younger ones sure can make it tough, can't they...my 10yo ran a 5:55 mile last weekend in our CYO Finals--his current PR! The good is that they can really motivate US! Heading to the track tonight.

Wow! That's an excellent mile time.

my 10yo ran a 5:55 mile last weekend in our CYO Finals

That's very impressive! Your child could be gifted in running. I'm not kidding. Not to brag, but I ran 5:59 as a 6th grader and went on to win my county championship in high school and eventually run 4:37. I am not gifted. I am floored by a 10yo running a 5:55 mile. That is something special.