Ive been asked to run with a 9 year old boy for a Park run. He is quite fit, has "runners legs", does trail runs of about 4k quite easily with his school.
Whats an average 5k time I should aim for? I have no idea of what pace a 9 year old should run. I don't want to overdo it, but want to make it so it isnt fun for him. I have it in my head to look out for fatigue in him when we are doing it, but als want it to be fun and an achievable time.
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I used to do some training runs with a 10year old and teaching him how to pace himself. He used to start off like a bat out of hell and then slow down around the route.
We built it up slowly and he managed 10 miles by the end of it.
At what age can you start running with a child? And what things can you do?
My boy turns 5 in a few weeks and he loves watching me run in the cross country races and wants to do running, but I'm not sure what he can and can't do.
My 9 year old is obsessed with his parkrun times! His best is 24.22. He was getting a bit too close to me so I have had to put a bit more effort in lately!
It must have been the Walk of Shame back home for you Tiger, but with a chest held high at your childrens' achievements!
Thanks for this, guys. Its given me a real idea of what I should be doing. As a childless Runner, I had got it into my head that we should be aiming for a particular time, rather than letting him guide me. Some of this came from the fact that my niece who had told me quite confidently that she could run a kilometre in 4.30 minutes (ie faster than I ever could manage!!!!) gave up he Parkrun after a mile!!
Thank you. x
We did it in approx 30.13 yesterday. I say approx... I was late (ggrrrr), so, as it was a circle, ran from the end in reverse to halfway, seeing all the quicker and then slower runners, and then turned back at 2.55 (on my GPS) so we were able to finish at the finish line. We did even splits too. I think it actually worked better that way, since we had never run together before, and he doesnt know me really well. He had also never run against adults, so all in all it worked well.
We are thinking of doing it next week, this time properly, with me getting there on time!!! It will, I think be a tad slower as the proper first half has a hill in it.
Next question, please........ how OFTEN can a near 8 year old boy run this distance? (I got his age wrong) I dont want to "over train" him nor make it a drudgery.
Yes, Tiger, , how can a 7 year old do that? Actually he is nearly 8, but still he is v good. I can see he will be an exceptional runner, he has the right legs for it. Thanks for the website, I will get onto it right away, and also pass it on to the boys Dad.
Sibyrne. He does 4k runs/ interval and walk runs regularly with his school, eacxh week, in the Chilterns. I was quite confidant he would do well, when we entered. So, for me, I would see what what your son can do now, and then compare that with the Parkrun times that you can get from the net.
Last year, I did the Thornborough 5 mile fun run, in which children were allowed to run. Most of them went off like a steam train, either to slow right down or drop out, but some were very very good, and one tiny thing overtook me at mile 3!
Thanks BOTF. I sensed it was a case of reining them in for myself, without making it a drudge for him. It was difficult on my part judging what speed to start off at, as I hadnt run with him before, so I did start cautiously. Hence also my comment earlier that I would recomend getting an idea of what they were capable of before the Parkrun itself.
Im glad you posted, BOTF, your words have helped a great deal. Im going to let him do a proper sprint finish if hes up for it next time!
At our local parkrun you can do one lap of 2.5k and get your time given to you verbally - I don't know if this is unique or commonplace at 2-lap parkruns. Anyway, on New Years Eve he decided to run one lap with me while his dad ran the two, and then we swapped round on New Year's Day. On Sat he did it with me again. We're now going to add 5 minutes a week to his running - he's up to 20 minutes now and when he can do 30 minutes we'll let him do the two laps.
I am totally in favour of kids running as long as it's fun for them and they don't get pressurised. And it's quite humbling to watch these little tots beating you by some way!
Yes, Im with you on that, HW, to see them do so well. When I was a child if you were no good at running, there was no encouragement to try to improve.
Today, the Parkruns offer so much. And to do part laps as you have done is a very good idea.
Does this sound wise?
A few weeks later I decided to put him through his paces (He is a very hyperactive child) and ran an easy 5k (gentle down hill followed by a 1.5km flat) taking us 31mins.
Unfortunately due to my lack of commitment I had a few months break but have recently started again and my son has been chomping at the bit to run with me.
He ran 3.5km the other day with me and could have done another km but I decided that he'd run enough.
I plan to run 3-4k once a week with him so that I don't dampen his enthusiasm.
I have found kids are very resilient and many love running, so let them free to run as much as THEY like.