Taking my nine year old out jogging with me

clareb12
clareb12 Posts: 2
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking to do the Couch-5k podcasts but I am a single parent with no support. I am at work when my daughter is at school and aside from her 30min piano lesson once a week I have no spare time when she is not in my sole care.

I was thinking about taking her out with me on the jogs. She is fit, healthy and very active though she has never done anything like this before. Neither have I so it would be a new experience for both of us. I think she would out-pace and out-last me due to our general fitness levels. But I obviously don't want to do her developing bones and joints any damage.

Does anyone have experience of taking a child out jogging? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
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Replies

  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    i know people who bring their kids & the kids rollerblade or bike alongside them as they run!!
  • Alexmn75
    Alexmn75 Posts: 16 Member
    My sister just started the C25K with her daughter who is 11. They just finished the first week and had to do some modifications since neither of them are runners. I think the real challenge is finding a pace that's challenging enough for you without making her sprint because of shorter legs. :-)
  • kthom
    kthom Posts: 175
    I don't see a big problem with it. My nine year old loves to run on the treadmill. I wouldn't push it but as long as they are able to do it why not.
  • minchk1n
    minchk1n Posts: 11
    Do it! She will love it and it will be really good for her and good bonding time for you both.

    I'm not sure about damage to bones and joints as Im not a medical professional but would be surprised if it did cause damage. Kids are made to be active.
  • amg_89
    amg_89 Posts: 184
    I went jogging with my mom sometimes when I was like 7 and other times my brother and i would ride our bikes or rollerblade along side her if she was going on a longer run. I also have a friend who runs marathons and her daughter has been doing 5k's with her since she was itty bitty! I think it'll be fine as long as you listen to her if she has a cramp or pain. I think it's great when parents are out exercising with their children.
  • Nolalee
    Nolalee Posts: 26 Member
    I'm a single mom too. If you had a local track you can go to, she can join you if she wants or just play and you can keep your eye on her the whole time. :)
  • Aid_B
    Aid_B Posts: 427
    My daughter satrted C25K with me, she's 10 and had no problems leaving me behind !
  • ashley0616
    ashley0616 Posts: 579 Member
    I think it is a great thing to do with your daughter. I have seen people out running with much younger children. Just remember she might be slower since she's shorter and if that's a problem she can always ride her bike. It's a great way to foster healthy activity and bonding time!
  • mvelser29
    mvelser29 Posts: 1
    I think it is a great idea. I am actually going to start doing the same thing with my 8 year old son. All they need is a good supportive pair of running shoes. They will benefit from running at a young age when they are older. A lot of marathoners start running that young and I've seen young kids running races with adults and doing trail runs and stuff like that so don't worry about injury....your kid will let you know if something hurts them. Have fun!
  • julesandrich
    julesandrich Posts: 188 Member
    My 9-year-old son wants to start jogging with me (we haven't gone yet) and I have a friend whose kids ride their bikes while she runs. I think getting healthy together is awesome! :smile: Some of my friends have their kids in running clubs and they do 5ks with the parents!
  • thor9424
    thor9424 Posts: 40 Member
    At 9 my daughter was running 3-4 miles with AAU cross country. She now is 11 and can run circles around me and I love to run with her. We both put on our Ipods and push eachother! I love it!!
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    Yes! Do it! I think it is a great idea. You will be introducing her to something she can do all her life, teaching her good healthy habits. Good luck!
  • tasoconnor
    tasoconnor Posts: 421 Member
    My kids go with me...and I have FOUR. They range from 13 "two weeks til 14" to 6. The oldest isn't into it that much because he has baseball right now. But the other three ask me, "WHEN ARE WE GONNA GO?". I have two of each. Both girls are nine (6 mos apart). The oldest girl is the most gunho about it. Think it is cause she is getting to the point where she is paying attention to what others think about her.

    If you instill it in them early they have a better chance at keeping it going. Because it will be their lifestyle as well.
  • tasoconnor
    tasoconnor Posts: 421 Member
    :smile:
  • jabbogurl
    jabbogurl Posts: 193
    Just like you, make sure she has good shoes and such. She might try to out run you, thinking its a race, so try to explain it to her first that its about keeping a pace. Sometimes I'll have my 10 y/o bike with me while I jog or scooter or roller blade.
  • lins_crafters
    lins_crafters Posts: 18
    Both of my kids ages 10 and 8 go running with me. My daughter the 8 year old is about my pace, but my son the little athlete runs much faster. But he runs ahead of us and then waits for us. They both love it, so them asking to go is motivation for me, but when my son hugs me and tells me he is proud of me for running, there is no more rewarding feeling.
  • Xaspar
    Xaspar Posts: 726 Member
    Absolutely take her ... If she can't keep up after the first try out, you can consider having her bike alongside you or some other alternative, but give her a chance ... I was VERY active as a kid and working toward a 5k run would be a great thing to motivate you both. You may even consider looking at some of the kid friendly races in your area and sign you both up for it. Sometimes they don't have the distance races available for the younger kids, but they have 1 milers, etc. and I have seen lots of families competing together as a team with their younger kids leading the pack! Just make sure she has a good pair of supportive shoes and she learns to listen to her body if it starts to hurt.
  • crazytxmom
    crazytxmom Posts: 166 Member
    My 9 year old has ridden her bike while I've run/walked before. I doubt she would be willing to run with me - too much like PE class. However, if she was willing, I would take her. Just make sure to get her good running shoes as well as you. During the intial weeks of the C25K when there is more walking, you can talk with her about the differences between good pain (tired muscles) and bad pain (injuries).

    Another idea (this depends on your neighborhood): don't go far from home. I've let my girls stay home while I've done all my run/walk time circling the same block so that I pass the house several times during my work out. Not exciting, but it gets the job done.

    Good luck!!
  • stephmn
    stephmn Posts: 18
    We just did a 5K trail run and the top finisher in the under 18 division was a 9 year-old! I think he finished in just over 24 minutes! Have fun! I started running last summer and my kids (18, 16, and 10) all run with me at different times. My 16 year old even went out for track for the first time this spring!! :)
  • chicorac
    chicorac Posts: 34
    My 11 year old jogs with me all the time. Also her biking or skating is a great idea while you're running. I also joined my local YMCA and they have plenty of kid friendly classes. I dont see any problems with her joints as long as you listen to her and bring her water. Kids should be active!
  • peytjalmom
    peytjalmom Posts: 76
    I have two boys ages 10 and 12 and I jog short distances (1.5 to 3 miles) daily with them. Sometimes they ride their bike sometimes they jog, sometimes one jogs one rides his bike. On my interval days, one races me on my sprints, while the other takes a rest on the bike. Then they switch for the next sprint interval. We have a blast!! My runs last 45 minutes at the longest and I don t think that's excessive for them. They have no weight problem and are fit. They know I'm running to lose weight right now, but I try to emphasize that we are exercising together to be healthy!
  • kadeedid182
    kadeedid182 Posts: 2
    Your daughter will benefit sooo much from doing this with you, if it's something she's interested in and enjoying it. My husband's kids biked or rollerbladed with him when he trained for marathons (not the 15mile long runs of course) but they all have fond memories of that time and are both showing an interest in fitness themselves. On the other hand, I had a mom who was completely sedentary and I never even saw her walk around the block even once for exercise. She struggled with her weight, as do I. I wonder if I had grown up with a mom who emulated an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits, perhaps that would be my "normal" instead of my current state of completely sedentary myself. Encourage, don't push, and your daughter will forever have memories of a strong, fit and HAPPY mom!
  • bigalfantasy2004
    bigalfantasy2004 Posts: 176 Member
    My 8 year old nephew runs 5Ks all the time and beat me handily. I don't think it'll be an issue at all but any concerns can probably be answered by a quick call to the doctor's office. Good luck!
  • kjb0976
    kjb0976 Posts: 68
    I would do it. Like you, I am a single Mom. I have taken both my 9 (boy) and 10 (girl) out with me to run. It not only provides time to spend together, but always teaches them that exercise is important. Make sure they pace themselves.. as they want to get out their and sprint and wear themselves out quickly. Also, have water. If they get tired, let them know it is ok to walk to cath their breath. Start off as exercise and fun time, you never know what it could lead too!
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    I started the C25K (only lasted about two weeks though cos me knees kept giving out) and jogged around the local footy oval. There were others who did it too... and the kids just ran ahead of the slow adults! The grounds aren't too big that you would lose track of them.

    The elliptical is my best friend at the moment - though I'm hoping that when my weight is down a bit I can start running again - less stress on the knees with less weight to carry.
  • ajostraat
    ajostraat Posts: 101
    You're creating healthy habits and encouraging healthy choices at an early age. What could go wrong?

    You'll love the bonding time and you'll be creating memories for the future.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    This is a really inspiring thread! My 3 year old prefers running to walking so runs everywhere (I don't drive), although it may be a walk for the grownups. The furthest he's been is about 5 miles. I hope that I'll get fitter over the years by trying to keep up with him :laugh:
  • larisadixon
    larisadixon Posts: 201 Member
    my 9 yr old plays soccer with 12 yr olds...and he also does all my 5k races with me... he loves the accomplishment of finishing a race. so my advise is to sign up for a local fun run with your child, usually they are only 1 mile or so. and let that be a mini goal for you guys to finish together and then move up to a 5k when you have finished the c25k...good luck
  • clareb12
    clareb12 Posts: 2
    Thank you for all the replies - and so quickly as well! I will speak to my daughter when I collect her from after-school club in a while and we may well get out there for the first time this evening if she is up for it!

    I like the idea of her cycling alongside me if she doesn't fancy running or our paces are too different. The first podcast is lots of walking with bursts of running so that will ease me in gently.

    Hopefully I'll be able to report back on a successful first jog for both us very soon :-)
  • loopylis
    loopylis Posts: 116 Member
    My 8 year old LOVES working out with me! She starts jogging with me and wants to do my next 5k race with me. I was dubious at first as I kept think, but she is only 8! But if she wants to keep fit, thats not a bad thing, as long as I make sure she doesnt go too far.
    She is currently doing Zumba with me too, she loves it! We went through the learner dvd together, and worked up to the express 20 minute one - shes better than I am lol!
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