If your children run for exercise

[Laura Corin]

My boys run most mornings, currently for about 25 minutes. Sometimes they just jog, sometimes I have them mixing up jogging and sprints. They also do stretches, sit ups and push ups. In addition Calvin does Taekwondo twice a week; Hobbes does Karate once and horse riding once.

Do you think that's about the right amount of running? Should I be pushing it longer or faster? Hobbes is a natural athlete: compact, energetic, efficient. Calvin is gangling and uncoordinated, although I think he has developed more muscles recently, perhaps with approaching puberty.

My aim for them is general health, and a habit of daily exercise, rather than any higher goal (although Hobbes may go further). Any thoughts?

Thanks

Laura

[Tiffani]

I have a friend that has her kids run anywhere between 2-4 miles a day. It depends on their ages. They all run 5K's and her oldest daughter just ran her first 1/2 marathon, so she runs about 5-8 (?) miles a day. My friend is a marathon runner herself, so it's just in their blood. But I'd assume if you're not training for races it doesn't really matter.

I'm not sure what the Presidential physical education program states (is that even the correct name for it???), but maybe someone else here will know.

[Laura Corin]

I'm not sure what the Presidential physical education program states (is that even the correct name for it???), but maybe someone else here will know.

At that time my boys met the standard easily, but it's only over one mile, so I was wondering about longer distances.

Thanks

Laura

[inashoe]

What they are doing is excellent, but I wouldn't ask them to do any more.
It is important to do a mix of aerobic (running) along with strength training (taekwondo fits the bill).
If you ask them to do more you run the risk of them developing injuries, particularly overuse injuries.
If you added anything, perhaps a little bit of weight training, but be very careful about overdoing it.
If you allow them to pace themselves they are more likely to find the right balance. If you push them there is the danger of pushing them too fast or too hard - teach them to listen to their bodies, if they develop an ache or pain somewhere, to slow down, and check it out with someone - such as a knowledgeable person at your local sports store.
Be sure to get them good running shoes and replace them regularly.

[keptwoman]

I'm sorry I have no idea about your question. But I have one of my own...
Our boys do a lot of sport but I think they need a morning run. Both for fitness and just to burn some energy before sitting down. Do you run with them?

[Laura Corin]

Our boys do a lot of sport but I think they need a morning run. Both for fitness and just to burn some energy before sitting down. Do you run with them?

I stand in the middle of the garden and dream about a garden redesign while they run round me. I walk for exercise after lunch. When they were younger, I could walk fast and they could run alongside, but now their legs are too long.

Laura

[Stacy in NJ]

I'm sorry I have no idea about your question. But I have one of my own...
Our boys do a lot of sport but I think they need a morning run. Both for fitness and just to burn some energy before sitting down. Do you run with them?

Sandra, my boys and I run together 3 times weekly in the morning. We run between 2 and 3 miles. We start together but rarely finish at the same time. :D Along with swimming and Aikido classes this is their P.E. To figure out distances, I drove our neighborhood checking my odometer.

[Pam in MA]

I've found the best way to control the teenage ya-yas is exercise almost every day, so we've added in running on the treadmill a few times a week. (She's also doing swimming and fencing, and we hike alot with the dog most weeks, too.) She's running about 1.5 miles, and then we do some weights. Her mood is vastly improved! I try to do it with her most of the time (which is a nice incentive for me) but I told her at my age she can't expect me to do it ALL with her! We found this great little booklet called "FitBook" for tracking exercise, diet, etc. which she likes.

[inashoe]

I'm sorry I have no idea about your question. But I have one of my own...
Our boys do a lot of sport but I think they need a morning run. Both for fitness and just to burn some energy before sitting down. Do you run with them?

That depends a lot on your situation.
Is it safe for them to run around your neighborhood on their own?
Are they old enough that you are happy with them going without you ?

I far prefer running out on the street, than around a football field, track or worst the dreaded treadmill. But this isn't always possible, due to perhaps safety or the weather.

If no to either, then you could all start out walking together, a brisk walk set at the pace by the shortest legs.
Walking is an excellent start.

Then you move on to "intervals" - walk a bit, run a bit, and so on.
You could say walk from one telephone pole to the next, then run to the next.
This helps to build up fitness gradually.

I cannot emphasize not overdoing it initially. If you do, they are more likely to pick up an injury. I got an injury from running in highschool, which has now come back to haunt me many years later. I still run but my injury holds me back.

Start out aiming for ten minutes, once they can comfortably go for ten minutes then gradually add a bit more - but take it slowly.
Don't do too much too quickly.

A 20 to 30 minute run three or four times a week should be the most a school age child does.

Combine with weights and stretches and they will have an excellent foundation in exercise.

[Melissa B]

My kids run 1 mile a day. We all start out together and each person stops at the mile marker to wait for the rest of us. I jog with the youngest. My oldest dd sometimes runs 1.5 miles by running an additional quarter mile down the road and coming back to the mile marker. We then all walk another two miles together.
I have them run 1 mile races (fun runs) a few times a year. They enjoy a bit of competition now and again. DD 11 is beginning to run longer distances in order to begin running in the 5K races when she is 12 or so.

We also do karate two or three times a week and occasional standard exercises (sit ups, push ups, etc.)

In addition, they have two or so hours of free time outside each day.

I think this is fine for their ages. The only thing we will do is increase the distance they run as the kids get older.

[Mary in GA]

That sounds great. Dd (12) alternates days of distance and sprints. Distance is about 2.5 miles. On sprint days she does other exercises as well. The distance day does not get done if it's really cold out. She is required to condition for soccer. She is a good athlete and runner, unlike her mother here who ran flat footed in high school, got horrible shin splints, and now has significant cartilage loss in the knees. I make sure dd comes down on her foot properly. One thing I wonder about is if she will go the same way in middle age as me, and will lots of running in her youth hasten these problems?

Mary

[keptwoman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Sorry for the thread-jack Laura.

[Laura Corin]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Sorry for the thread-jack Laura.

Happy to help the subject along.

Laura