General fitness, health and nutrition · Public discussion

5 year old runner again

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General fitness, health and nutrition
Published
8 November 2003
Last activity
8 November 2003
Original author
Pier-14
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  1. First of all thanks to everyone who responded to my previous post about my son. That said I should
    ask a similar question. Does anyone know of a 5 year and 4 month old child who has run a 10k? are
    there any times anywhere? He has and he wanted to, he does not train, I do not train him. He will
    play Soccer tomorrow. He will play soccer with 10 other children for just about the same time that
    he would be jogging in a 10k. He will probably score 5 to 10 goals which is more than all the other
    children combined. I NEVER practice soccer with him, he is a natural thats all I can say. He played
    baseball and football where I discovered his NATURAL running ability. I am not a runner nor is my
    wife, we are becoming runners to keep up with our gifted son and because running is healthy. My son
    does not train, he just goes to the track and goes. The first time ever that he ran about 2 months
    ago he ran 2 miles. He has run exactly 4 times, for 2, 3.5, 5.5, and 6.5 miles, so he did not train
    to get to where he is. My younger son comes with us he wants to run as well, he usually runs one
    lap then stops, I DO NOT push him. On the other hand I told my older son that we were going to
    sprint to the end of his 25th lap on a 1/4 mile track and we did, he just didn't stop and he FORCED
    me to run another lap. I was whomped, after we did stop after 26 laps he jumped off the bench and
    went another lap. He ran one more lap after that as fast as he could, for a 1.57 1/4. I make my son
    study math and reading, I never make him run. All I have done is bring him to a rubber 1/4 mile
    track and point the way, I have also introduced him to Karate, Baseball and Football as well as
    Soccer as I agree that too much of any one thing is not as good as variety to a growing body and
    mind. Thanks for reading.

  2. If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
    nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3 and anything less would be irresponsibilty on
    your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be irresponsible as a parent to not have
    him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed this natural talent of
    his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son) incur in running marathons, I
    would think similar potential hazards are in play for 64 month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my
    opinion scaling backwards. There's also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks in the country (i.e, I
    think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why they do not allow 5 years olds in the event.
    They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy runs without pushing
    themselves when they are at a young age. They also run natural terrain in most cases barefoot to
    develop natural movement of their feet, which is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat
    wholesome food, not processed with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where
    most athletic shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain
    these things."

  3. Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
    they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
    them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
    olds do so, beating many of the rest of us. None of them seems to have suffered any running
    injuries. One broke an arm playing soccer last summer, but that hardly counts. I wonder whether
    there is simply a process of natuiral selection at work here? Kids who enjoy running and don't mind
    the heat or cold or different surfaces keep on going injury-free, while the kids who feel
    uncomfortable with running simply don't do it? As the article in the link states, no studies have
    actually been done on prepubertal children's running per se. Jonathan "Globaldisc"
    <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
    nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3


    and

    Quoted message said:

    anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be


    irresponsible as

    Quoted message said:

    a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
    this natural talent of his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)


    incur in

    Quoted message said:

    running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for


    64

    Quoted message said:

    month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.


    There's

    Quoted message said:

    also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks


    in

    Quoted message said:

    the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why


    they

    Quoted message said:

    do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy


    runs

    Quoted message said:

    without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run


    natural

    Quoted message said:

    terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,


    which

    Quoted message said:

    is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not


    processed

    Quoted message said:

    with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most


    athletic

    Quoted message said:

    shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."

  4. Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers of
    several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it is fine
    they just recomended that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to follow
    my son. "Globaldisc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
    nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3


    and

    Quoted message said:

    anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be


    irresponsible as

    Quoted message said:

    a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
    this natural talent of his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)


    incur in

    Quoted message said:

    running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for


    64

    Quoted message said:

    month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.


    There's

    Quoted message said:

    also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks


    in

    Quoted message said:

    the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why


    they

    Quoted message said:

    do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy


    runs

    Quoted message said:

    without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run


    natural

    Quoted message said:

    terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,


    which

    Quoted message said:

    is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not


    processed

    Quoted message said:

    with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most


    athletic

    Quoted message said:

    shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."

  5. Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when children all over America play
    soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these sports. Yet running done for
    the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children, of coarse you need to run to do
    any of these sports and running will improve ones tactile strength at just about anything one
    chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is trying to tackle you or get the ball away from
    you, triping you in the process, these things are far more prone to cause injury than would jogging
    ever. Thank you. "Jonathan Sydenham" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
    they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
    them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
    olds do so, beating many of the rest of us. None of them seems to have suffered any running
    injuries. One broke an arm playing soccer last summer, but that hardly counts. I wonder whether
    there is simply a process of natuiral selection at work here? Kids who enjoy running and don't
    mind the heat or cold or different surfaces keep on going injury-free, while the kids who feel
    uncomfortable with running simply don't do it? As the article in the link states, no studies have
    actually been done on prepubertal children's running per se. Jonathan "Globaldisc"
    <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
    nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3


    and

    Quoted message said:

    anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be


    irresponsible as

    Quoted message said:

    a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as


    he

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    pursued and developed this natural talent of his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)


    incur in

    Quoted message said:

    running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play


    for

    Quoted message said:

    64

    Quoted message said:

    month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.


    There's

    Quoted message said:

    also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger


    10ks

    Quoted message said:

    in

    Quoted message said:

    the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them


    why

    Quoted message said:

    they

    Quoted message said:

    do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy


    runs

    Quoted message said:

    without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run


    natural

    Quoted message said:

    terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their


    feet,

    Quoted message said:

    which

    Quoted message said:

    is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not


    processed

    Quoted message said:

    with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most


    athletic

    Quoted message said:

    shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can


    still

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    obtain these things."


  6. In article said:

    Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
    they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
    them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
    olds do so, beating many of the rest of us.

    According to Bob Glover's competitive runners handbook, some runners in this age group are already
    OK for racing up to 10k, though probably not ready for high milage training or marathons.

    I ran a 10k when I was 9 years old, and used to go for 3-4 mile runs at the same age, but I didn't
    train consistently at that stage.

    Cheers,
    --
    Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflord

  7. idiot

    Pier-14 said:

    Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers
    of several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it is
    fine they just recomended that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to
    follow my son. "Globaldisc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
    nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3


    and

    Quoted message said:

    anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be


    irresponsible as

    Quoted message said:

    a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
    this natural talent of his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)


    incur in

    Quoted message said:

    running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for


    64

    Quoted message said:

    month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.


    There's

    Quoted message said:

    also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks


    in

    Quoted message said:

    the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why


    they

    Quoted message said:

    do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy


    runs

    Quoted message said:

    without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run


    natural

    Quoted message said:

    terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,


    which

    Quoted message said:

    is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not


    processed

    Quoted message said:

    with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most


    athletic

    Quoted message said:

    shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."


  8. In article said:

    Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when children all over America play
    soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these sports.

    These sports are not comparable to serious distance training programs.

    Quoted message said:

    Yet running done for the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children,

    I don't think "running done for the love of it alone" is considered dangerous by anyone (as long as
    it's the *child*, not the parent who loves it, that is).

    Long races or high milage training schedules are more problematic. Of course you run in these
    sports, but you don't run 40 miles a week by playing baseball or football. That's what's important
    -- whether he's running for the sake of it or running in some other sport, he shouldn't be clocking
    up high milage.

    Quoted message said:

    about anything one chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is trying to tackle you or get
    the ball away from you, triping you in the process, these things are far more prone to cause
    injury than would jogging ever.

    There are different kinds of injury. High milage can result in growth plate injury, especially if
    the running is on hard surfaces. For the adult, hard and soft surfaces both have their risks and
    benefits. For children, the vulnerability to growth plate problems shifts the balance in favor of
    softer surfaces. The bottom line is that sprinting, falling, running into other children, etc on a
    soft surface is much less risky for a childs long term health than running 40 miles per week on
    pavement (or running that far on any surface, for that matter)

    Cheers,
    --
    Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflord

  9. Imagine Sarah Hughes waiting until she was 12 or 13 to begin serious skating. She won the gold at 16
    years old. She was STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. Would you recommend to all parents that their children not
    participate in sports until high school. Here is a nice picture of Sarah
    dianesrink.comolympics.html Not running, ok but my son is gifted if I don't ask he
    will never know, thats not right. "Donovan Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <[email hidden]>, Jonathan


    Sydenham said:
    Quoted message said:

    Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
    they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially
    for them but they are free to run with the "adults" too


    if

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year olds do so, beating many of


    the

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    rest of us.

    According to Bob Glover's competitive runners handbook, some runners in


    this

    Quoted message said:

    age group are already OK for racing up to 10k, though probably not ready


    for

    Quoted message said:

    high milage training or marathons.

    I ran a 10k when I was 9 years old, and used to go for 3-4 mile runs at


    the

    Quoted message said:

    same age, but I didn't train consistently at that stage.

    Cheers,
    --
    Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflord

  10. Have you read my post? My son is not on any running program. He was able to run 6.5 miles or 10k
    without ANY program to get him fit. (NATURAL GIFT) I have the books with run 1 mile this day then
    walk then sprint...ect. My son ran a 10k the 4th time he ever ran, with no practice of any type in
    between. He might have run a 10k the first time ever he ran but who would even think to try? He
    never runs more than once a week though he ask me to take him to the track at least every other day
    after school. He will beg me to let him run even just 1 lap, he could care less if it is raining. I
    saw the other children on his football team who barely finished a 1/8th mile lap, I don't know why
    my son is different, he just is. If I had not put him in football I never would have seen him beat
    the team and would not have given him a try at track. I am glad I tried both for his sake. "Donovan
    Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    In article said:

    Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when


    children

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    all over America play soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these
    sports.

    These sports are not comparable to serious distance training programs.

    Quoted message said:

    Yet running done for the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children,

    I don't think "running done for the love of it alone" is considered


    dangerous

    Quoted message said:

    by anyone (as long as it's the *child*, not the parent who loves it, that


    is).

    Quoted message said:


    Long races or high milage training schedules are more problematic. Of


    course

    Quoted message said:

    you run in these sports, but you don't run 40 miles a week by playing


    baseball

    Quoted message said:

    or football. That's what's important -- whether he's running for the sake


    of

    Quoted message said:

    it or running in some other sport, he shouldn't be clocking up high


    milage.

    Quoted message said:


    Quoted message said:

    about anything one chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is


    trying

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    to tackle you or get the ball away from you, triping you in the process, these things are far
    more prone to cause injury than would jogging ever.

    There are different kinds of injury. High milage can result in growth plate injury, especially if
    the running is on hard surfaces. For the


    adult,

    Quoted message said:

    hard and soft surfaces both have their risks and benefits. For children,


    the

    Quoted message said:

    vulnerability to growth plate problems shifts the balance in favor of


    softer

    Quoted message said:

    surfaces. The bottom line is that sprinting, falling, running into other children, etc on a soft
    surface is much less risky for a childs long term health than running 40 miles per week on
    pavement (or running that far on


    any

    Quoted message said:

    surface, for that matter)

    Cheers,
    --
    Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflord

  11. In article said:

    Have you read my post?

    What your son does or doesn't do is completely beside the point of my post. I would strongly
    recommend you re-read what I wrote, without misreading it as a critcism constructive or otherwise of
    your sons activity (because it isn't).

    Not only did I read your post, I directly addressed your comments. Some of them are wildly
    inaccurate, and reflect ignorance about what the recommendations are for young runners, and the
    reasoning behind these recommendations. I also attempted to explain some of the issues that concern
    young runners, and I hope you weren't too busy getting offended to take note of what I said.

    I strongly recommend that you acquire some appropriate reading material and educate yourself until
    you become an expert on this topic. Most if not all of the posters in this newsgroup (including me)
    don't know very much about this topic.

    Cheers,
    --
    Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflord

  12. All you need is love, love is all you need. "^^^@" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    idiot

    Pier-14 said:

    Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers
    of several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it
    is fine they just


    recomended

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to follow my son.
    "Globaldisc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire


    a

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    professional coach and nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3


    and

    Quoted message said:

    anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.

    If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be


    irresponsible as

    Quoted message said:

    a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as


    he

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    pursued and developed this natural talent of his. It's high risk.

    Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)


    incur in

    Quoted message said:

    running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play


    for

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    64

    Quoted message said:

    month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.


    There's

    Quoted message said:

    also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

    Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger


    10ks

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    in

    Quoted message said:

    the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them


    why

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    they

    Quoted message said:

    do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...

    Good luck

    kidsrunning.comindex.html

    aap.org03326.html

    ---

    A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

    "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of


    easy

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    runs

    Quoted message said:

    without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run


    natural

    Quoted message said:

    terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their


    feet,

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    which

    Quoted message said:

    is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not


    processed

    Quoted message said:

    with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most


    athletic

    Quoted message said:

    shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can


    still

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    obtain these things."

  13. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Pier-14 said:

    Imagine Sarah Hughes waiting until she was 12 or 13 to begin serious skating. She won the gold at
    16 years old. She was STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. Would you recommend to all parents that their children
    not participate in sports until high school. Here is a nice picture of Sarah
    dianesrink.comolympics.html Not running, ok but my son is gifted if I don't ask
    he will never know, thats not right.

    I agree that if he wants to do it then it's something you should pursue, because it does sound as if
    he has tremendous natural talent. However, you need to walk a very fine line for the reasons people
    have discussed: burnout, injury, psychological problems, etc. I think starting here is fine, but you
    should talk to some professionals as well, particularly your pediatrician.

    Your son could be a top runner someday, but only if you handle it right and he's lucky. You need to
    be very careful in avoiding being a "little league" parent.

    --Harold Buck

    "I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

    - Homer J. Simpson

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