Any opinions and/or advice would be appreciated

tiggerhammon

I would really appreciate a quick opinion from anyone willing to listen (or more like read.)
My 7 year old daughter signed up for a children's triathlon. 100yard swim, 2 mile bike ride and 3/4 mile run. She is athletic in nature and really thought this would be fun. The race is 5 months away and she wants me to help her train for it, she really wants to win.
However, I am a little concerned on what repercussions may come of trying to 'hard train' a little kid. She is not ready for something like this, but is overly committed to putting in the work to be.
Taking a step back and looking at her progress thus far, (been 'training' for a few weeks,) I would say there is none. If this were any normal adult I would say they were not pushing themselves hard enough, need to be doing more. But, I am seriously concerned about the effects of pushing a child's limits, especially since it is my child, I really don't want any injuries or exhaustion or any ill effects for that matter.

To emphasize, dropping out is not an option. She really wants this and I really want to help her I just don't know how.
Any opinion and any advice would be appreciated and considered.

Also, for anyone curious, here is where we stand currently. She CANT swim, not really. She half swims, half doggy paddles and we are working on that. I dont think a 100yard swim is unreachable though and am not terribly worried about it.
She can bike the 2 mile no problem. We biked 6 miles a couple days ago, I am not worried about the biking either.
She can't even run a 1/4 mile. And, she doesn't recoop well after either. (Meaning, I can barely run that 1/4 mile then I have to walk for a bit, then I can run again, walk, run ... ) She runs the 1/4 mile and then she is done for.
This is individual sport practice though, we have never tried doing all together. I am sure after a 2 mile bike ride right now she probably couldn't run at all.

Mokey41

Please don't discourage her from trying. Even if she finishes last it will be a huge accomplishment for her and 5 months is a very long time away from now. For her running, download the C25K program and get her started with that. Very few people start out being able to just run. It's completely normal to start with run/walk intervals and some people always stay with that. There are marathoners who use run/walk to complete 26 miles.

When my daughter was 8 she decided she wanted to compete in track & field at her very small school. She signed up to do the 1500 m run. All the other kids doing it were quite a bit older and much taller. She did the run, came in dead last and I was sure she would be devastated. Nope! She was so proud that she finished that race and has gone on to be an athlete playing university basketball, running hurdles and playing soccer.

My advise is to train with her, help her along, and be supportive. Make sure she understands that the fact she is trying is more important than winning.

stealthq

With swimming at her age, training should mean improving her stroke, not trying to get her to swim longer or harder with a poor (or no) stroke. So, there you should have no worries about over-training.

If she can't run a 1/4 mile, then I'm guessing she needs work on her wind and endurance. Not sure what methods would best with a kid for that, maybe talk to a kid's soccer coach?

RunHardBeStrong

Please don't discourage her from trying. Even if she finishes last it will be a huge accomplishment for her and 5 months is a very long time away from now. For her running, download the C25K program and get her started with that. Very few people start out being able to just run. It's completely normal to start with run/walk intervals and some people always stay with that. There are marathoners who use run/walk to complete 26 miles.

When my daughter was 8 she decided she wanted to compete in track & field at her very small school. She signed up to do the 1500 m run. All the other kids doing it were quite a bit older and much taller. She did the run, came in dead last and I was sure she would be devastated. Nope! She was so proud that she finished that race and has gone on to be an athlete playing university basketball, running hurdles and playing soccer.

My advise is to train with her, help her along, and be supportive. Make sure she understands that the fact she is trying is more important than winning.

So much this! And I agree she can make tons of prgress in 5 months without pushing her too hard, just make the workouts fun and she'll build endurance.

JenMc14

Make a consistent, but not aggressive, training schedule for the running. Something like Couch to 5K that progresses slowly. Someone else just posted about running with kids, and I posted two links from The All-Knowing Google there. This: http://www.kidsrunning.com/ and this: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/kids-running-guide.

Put her in swimming lessons. She can learn how to swim there, and you can work with distance once she has the basics under control. Go slow and steady, but be consistent. Put a progression plan in place. Don't just go as hard as long as she can, have specific parameters, starting a bit below her current level, then working to her current level, then past, if that makes sense. I have no expertise in this area, but this is what I think I would do if this were my child. All of this, of course, hinging on her doctor saying it was ok. I'd definitely start with getting her a physical.

tiggerhammon

Thank you so much everyone for all the opinions so far. I know that starting her with a good foundation here will be good for her in the long run. She gets her competitiveness from me, I want her to win as badly as she wants to, I think we both needed reminded that it does not matter if she comes in last, what matters is that she did it.
Oh, and the physical is done! Only thing she has to avoid is certain kinds of weeds as they make her eczema flare up. Other than the eczema she is fit as a fiddle.

tiggerhammon

We found a really good summer swimming program! She starts swimming lessons May 28th!

Mavrick_RN

Thank you so much everyone for all the opinions so far. I know that starting her with a good foundation here will be good for her in the long run. She gets her competitiveness from me, I want her to win as badly as she wants to, I think we both needed reminded that it does not matter if she comes in last, what matters is that she did it.
Oh, and the physical is done! Only thing she has to avoid is certain kinds of weeds as they make her eczema flare up. Other than the eczema she is fit as a fiddle.

My question answered. Where did she get the "I have to win" idea. I suppose if that is the goal she may as well learn that unless you are naturally very gifted it takes effort and training to get good enough at something to beat other people who are training to beat you.

If the goal to enjoy participating she is already a winner! And having fun with Mom has got to be a big plus.

tiggerhammon

lol, Maverick, the goal is to just get out there, enjoy herself and participate. I just need to remind her of that and make sure I don't forget as well. I really am very competitive in nature and am afraid my poor kid is a lot like me.

AleciaG724

I've had 4 kids, so my advice is from mom-to-mom.

I think she should help decide her training schedule. She's more likely to stick to it and not resent you for pushing her too hard.

I am concerned about the swimming. I would try to find out how competitive it is a t her age level. You should be able to find out from the coordinators. You can also ask to talk to a parent of a child who has participated at her level the last time it was run by the same organization.

A former aerobics instructor of mine signed up for a tri-athalon several years ago. She was very fit and competitive, and a strong swimmer. However, she was completely overwhelmed at the swimming portion of the race. She said did not anticipate the splashing coming from all the other swimmers. She said she could not breathe because when she tried to gasp for air, she was taking in water and spray from the splashing as people swam around her. I am telling you this not so that you will discourage her, or to frighten you, but hopefully so that you and she can be aware of this issue and train for it somehow. Also I would ask about safety precautions. Do the kids wear float belts or something similar? How many people will be in lifeboats - what is the ratio between rescuers and swimmers.

Good luck to her!!

tiggerhammon

Totally respect and appreciate your opinions and your concern. This brings up something I totally forgot to mention in my original post, I will be right along side her running it with her! I checked with the coordinators of the race to be certain that this was possible. I am a pretty protective mommy, (maybe because this is my only child) but I was pretty happy to find out I could run it with her. I can't carry, push or help her in any way other than verbal motivation but I will be right there to grab her should, heaven forbid, something happen.

tiggerhammon

Update: My daughter is doing the backstroke now. I find it a little funny that she has difficulties swimming forward but has already mastered the backstroke. But, she is improving nonetheless.
We took her out last evening for a prerun of the course length. (Not the actual course because I don't even know where that is yet.) My husband borrowed a measuring wheel from work and we charted out the bike and run marks.
She completed in 37 minutes her first time out attempting the full course length.
She is doing amazing and loving every minute of it.

JingleMuffin

thats awesome.

encourage her, swimming lessons. either get them or teach her herself.
and work on running.

if she is this empowered when shes 7 - just imagine what she will do when shes grown.

_chiaroscuro

I missed this before but saw your latest news. Sounds fun and exciting! Getting this in my topics b/c I hope you'll keep updating!

Oh, and yeah, I suppose the emphasis should be placed on getting out there, completing her race, and having fun, but there's nothing wrong with balancing that with some healthy competitive spirit.

happycauseIride

Wonderful progress in just a few short weeks. My daughter is 10 and she has started exercising with me, so far only on weekends. When we are inside, she rides a stationary bike while I'm on a treadmill and then we lift weights together. She gets 2 lb dumbbells while I have the 10's. Lol! I'm teaching her proper form and she enjoys it. We have gone for long walks together too.

You are being a great role model to her. Great job on that. You are teaching her healthy habits now that will hopefully stick with her for the rest of her life. I wish I had that when I was young.

TinaBean007

For the running part, it sounds like she has all the building blocks (cardio, stamina, etc) but just needs to put it together. Running comes natural to some and then there are those of us who had to learn it. I recommend starting out slow- literally barely jogging. I know my nieces have tried to jog with me (ages 6, 8, 13) at some point and will start out full on running, then cut back to my pace before completely quitting. Running is all in the breath. Also research learning to run and runner's basic info. It will be the same for her as for an adult.

Last but not least, I think this is an awesome experience for her and you. Something you can share forever... and you better prepare yourself, I have a feeling she's going to be dragging you on some crazy adventures as you get older.

TinaBean007

Oh- I'll add my opinion in too

I don't see this as any different as a child that wants to play a team sport, do dance or gymnastics. You're preparing her for life. As long as there is work/fun balance it's an excellent experience for your whole family. And you're doing everything right by being extra careful and protective just like mama bear is supposed too!

nicola1141

Great news about her progress (I think being able to do backstroke properly first is normal, same with my daughter).

This reminds me I've been meaning to sign my daughter up for a charity triathlon too. (Off I go to Google it!)

tiggerhammon

Wow! Thanks everyone!
Yes, I have every intention of continuing to post her progress on here, there are a couple following it for that reason.
I am gaining as much from this as she is, if not more. I am going to be running this race with her and am trying to increase my own speed and such as well. I am fine on the swim and bike, it is the running I need serious improvement on as well. I agree that it is so great we can practice and do this together. If nothing else we will both come out of this stronger.
Every racer in the competition, regardless of where they place, will get a T-shirt when they finish. My daughter says she will be happy as long as she gets the shirt. Because, in her words, "that means I did it and did not quit and everyone that sees my shirt will know that."

tiggerhammon

Update: bad news
The coordinators of this race have decided, since there has already been over 100 children preregister for this race and it is still months away, they are going to strongly discourage parents from running with the children. I have been asked to, instead, stand and wait at the transitioning points so as to help take her bike so she can run, and help of that nature and to not run with her