We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

my kid is my running partner ... is this ok??

2»

Replies

  • Posts: 934 Member

    ok...just be careful

    kids will out run adults when adults know its time to slow down

    Hardly. Kids don't have the ego that lands adults with overuse injuries. When they are uncomfortable they walk. Sometimes they walk because they don't "feel like" running. I've coached Girls On The Run and my own kid. It's RARE to find a child who will run beyond their abilities unless they have a parent who is REALLY cracking the whip. Humans evolved BECAUSE we are such efficient runners and could run down prey that tired after a few miles. It's only recently in our evolution that we view a 5k as some massive feat. It's not. A mere 5k wouldn't have even kept a person fed a few hundred years ago. A 5k takes ~30 minutes for a relatively slow adult or kid. Hardly an epic strain on the Human body.
  • Posts: 8,810 Member

    Hardly. Kids don't have the ego that lands adults with overuse injuries. When they are uncomfortable they walk. Sometimes they walk because they don't "feel like" running. I've coached Girls On The Run and my own kid. It's RARE to find a child who will run beyond their abilities unless they have a parent who is REALLY cracking the whip. Humans evolved BECAUSE we are such efficient runners and could run down prey that tired after a few miles. It's only recently in our evolution that we view a 5k as some massive feat. It's not. A mere 5k wouldn't have even kept a person fed a few hundred years ago. A 5k takes ~30 minutes for a relatively slow adult or kid. Hardly an epic strain on the Human body.

    you seem to be missing my point.........I AM talking about "a parent who is REALLY cracking the whip" (your words) as in a race or training for a race. I am not saying the OP would do this but he asked if it was ok for his 9 yr old to train with him. I never said dont do it.
  • Posts: 13,274 Member

    uhh...... we were talking about racing and training for racing in adult races along side adults,,,not just running around like kids

    nice way to leap at me before you looked

    OUCH

    He's talking about the Couch to 5k! And I don't know how old you are, but I'm old enough to remember when kids ran for 3 miles and never "trained" for it. We could outrun any adult out there. :laugh: :wink:

    Kids are natural runners. Kids that *aren't* running are the ones to worry about, not kids that run with their parents. Kids are *supposed* to run. And actually kids know their limits much better than adults. Adults are more likely to push themselves too hard. Kids just like to have fun.
  • Posts: 13,274 Member

    you seem to be missing my point.........I AM talking about "a parent who is REALLY cracking the whip" (your words) as in a race or training for a race. I am not saying the OP would do this but he asked if it was ok for his 9 yr old to train with him. I never said dont do it.

    Then you are the one doing the "leaping," as you put it. The OP is talking about C25k. It's best to read the OP before commenting.
  • Posts: 13,274 Member
    It's only recently in our evolution that we view a 5k as some massive feat. It's not. A mere 5k wouldn't have even kept a person fed a few hundred years ago. A 5k takes ~30 minutes for a relatively slow adult or kid. Hardly an epic strain on the Human body.

    So true! It's easy-peasy, hardly the Boston Marathon.
  • Posts: 236 Member
    My oldest ran his first 5k with me when he was 10. He did fine and if he wanted to walk some of it we did. Personally I think it's great your child wants to run with you. There is nothing wrong with it!
This discussion has been closed.