5 year old runner again

[Pier-14]

First of all thanks to everyone who responded to my previous post about my son. That said I should
ask a similar question. Does anyone know of a 5 year and 4 month old child who has run a 10k? are
there any times anywhere? He has and he wanted to, he does not train, I do not train him. He will
play Soccer tomorrow. He will play soccer with 10 other children for just about the same time that
he would be jogging in a 10k. He will probably score 5 to 10 goals which is more than all the other
children combined. I NEVER practice soccer with him, he is a natural thats all I can say. He played
baseball and football where I discovered his NATURAL running ability. I am not a runner nor is my
wife, we are becoming runners to keep up with our gifted son and because running is healthy. My son
does not train, he just goes to the track and goes. The first time ever that he ran about 2 months
ago he ran 2 miles. He has run exactly 4 times, for 2, 3.5, 5.5, and 6.5 miles, so he did not train
to get to where he is. My younger son comes with us he wants to run as well, he usually runs one
lap then stops, I DO NOT push him. On the other hand I told my older son that we were going to
sprint to the end of his 25th lap on a 1/4 mile track and we did, he just didn't stop and he FORCED
me to run another lap. I was whomped, after we did stop after 26 laps he jumped off the bench and
went another lap. He ran one more lap after that as fast as he could, for a 1.57 1/4. I make my son
study math and reading, I never make him run. All I have done is bring him to a rubber 1/4 mile
track and point the way, I have also introduced him to Karate, Baseball and Football as well as
Soccer as I agree that too much of any one thing is not as good as variety to a growing body and
mind. Thanks for reading.

[Globaldisc]

If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3 and anything less would be irresponsibilty on
your part.

If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be irresponsible as a parent to not have
him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed this natural talent of
his. It's high risk.

Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son) incur in running marathons, I
would think similar potential hazards are in play for 64 month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my
opinion scaling backwards. There's also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.

Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks in the country (i.e, I
think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why they do not allow 5 years olds in the event.
They might have reasons your concerned about...

Good luck

http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html

http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html

---

A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...

"As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy runs without pushing
themselves when they are at a young age. They also run natural terrain in most cases barefoot to
develop natural movement of their feet, which is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat
wholesome food, not processed with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where
most athletic shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain
these things."

[Jonathan Sydenh]

Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
olds do so, beating many of the rest of us. None of them seems to have suffered any running
injuries. One broke an arm playing soccer last summer, but that hardly counts. I wonder whether
there is simply a process of natuiral selection at work here? Kids who enjoy running and don't mind
the heat or cold or different surfaces keep on going injury-free, while the kids who feel
uncomfortable with running simply don't do it? As the article in the link states, no studies have
actually been done on prepubertal children's running per se. Jonathan "Globaldisc"
<globaldisc@aol.com> wrote in message news:20031108081518.00108.00000226@mb-m10.aol.com...
> If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
> nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3
and
> anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.
>
> If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be
irresponsible as
> a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
> this natural talent of his. It's high risk.
>
> Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)
incur in
> running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for
64
> month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.
There's
> also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.
>
> Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks
in
> the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why
they
> do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...
>
> Good luck
>
>
> http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html
>
> http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html
>
> ---
>
> A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...
>
> "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy
runs
> without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run
natural
> terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,
which
> is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not
processed
> with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most
athletic
> shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."

[Pier-14]

Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers of
several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it is fine
they just recomended that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to follow
my son. "Globaldisc" <globaldisc@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20031108081518.00108.00000226@mb-m10.aol.com...
> If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
> nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3
and
> anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.
>
> If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be
irresponsible as
> a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
> this natural talent of his. It's high risk.
>
> Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)
incur in
> running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for
64
> month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.
There's
> also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.
>
> Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks
in
> the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why
they
> do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...
>
> Good luck
>
>
> http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html
>
> http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html
>
> ---
>
> A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...
>
> "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy
runs
> without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run
natural
> terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,
which
> is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not
processed
> with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most
athletic
> shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."

[Pier-14]

Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when children all over America play
soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these sports. Yet running done for
the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children, of coarse you need to run to do
any of these sports and running will improve ones tactile strength at just about anything one
chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is trying to tackle you or get the ball away from
you, triping you in the process, these things are far more prone to cause injury than would jogging
ever. Thank you. "Jonathan Sydenham" <sydenham@mail.dk> wrote in message
news:3fad0786$0$95016$edfadb0f@dread11.news.tele.dk...
> Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
> they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
> them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
> olds do so, beating many of the rest of us. None of them seems to have suffered any running
> injuries. One broke an arm playing soccer last summer, but that hardly counts. I wonder whether
> there is simply a process of natuiral selection at work here? Kids who enjoy running and don't
> mind the heat or cold or different surfaces keep on going injury-free, while the kids who feel
> uncomfortable with running simply don't do it? As the article in the link states, no studies have
> actually been done on prepubertal children's running per se. Jonathan "Globaldisc"
> <globaldisc@aol.com> wrote in message news:20031108081518.00108.00000226@mb-m10.aol.com...
> > If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
> > nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3
> and
> > anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.
> >
> > If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be
> irresponsible as
> > a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as
he
> > pursued and developed this natural talent of his. It's high risk.
> >
> > Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)
> incur in
> > running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play
for
> 64
> > month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.
> There's
> > also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.
> >
> > Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger
10ks
> in
> > the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them
why
> they
> > do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> >
> > http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html
> >
> > http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html
> >
> > ---
> >
> > A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...
> >
> > "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy
> runs
> > without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run
> natural
> > terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their
feet,
> which
> > is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not
> processed
> > with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most
> athletic
> > shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can
still
> > obtain these things."
>

[Donovan Rebbech]

In article <3fad0786$0$95016$edfadb0f@dread11.news.tele.dk>, Jonathan Sydenham wrote:
> Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
> they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially for
> them but they are free to run with the "adults" too if they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year
> olds do so, beating many of the rest of us.

According to Bob Glover's competitive runners handbook, some runners in this age group are already
OK for racing up to 10k, though probably not ready for high milage training or marathons.

I ran a 10k when I was 9 years old, and used to go for 3-4 mile runs at the same age, but I didn't
train consistently at that stage.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

[^^^@]

idiot

On Sat, 8 Nov 2003 10:20:44 -0500, "Pier-14" <fishermans.cove@comcast.net> wrote:

>Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers
>of several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it is
>fine they just recomended that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to
>follow my son. "Globaldisc" <globaldisc@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20031108081518.00108.00000226@mb-m10.aol.com...
>> If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire a professional coach and
>> nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3
>and
>> anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.
>>
>> If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be
>irresponsible as
>> a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as he pursued and developed
>> this natural talent of his. It's high risk.
>>
>> Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)
>incur in
>> running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play for
>64
>> month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.
>There's
>> also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.
>>
>> Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger 10ks
>in
>> the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them why
>they
>> do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>>
>> http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html
>>
>> http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html
>>
>> ---
>>
>> A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...
>>
>> "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of easy
>runs
>> without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run
>natural
>> terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their feet,
>which
>> is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not
>processed
>> with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most
>athletic
>> shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can still obtain these things."
>

[Donovan Rebbech]

In article <ZrOdnYzYQozAkzCiRVn-jA@comcast.com>, Pier-14 wrote:
> Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when children all over America play
> soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these sports.

These sports are not comparable to serious distance training programs.

> Yet running done for the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children,

I don't think "running done for the love of it alone" is considered dangerous by anyone (as long as
it's the *child*, not the parent who loves it, that is).

Long races or high milage training schedules are more problematic. Of course you run in these
sports, but you don't run 40 miles a week by playing baseball or football. That's what's important
-- whether he's running for the sake of it or running in some other sport, he shouldn't be clocking
up high milage.

> about anything one chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is trying to tackle you or get
> the ball away from you, triping you in the process, these things are far more prone to cause
> injury than would jogging ever.

There are different kinds of injury. High milage can result in growth plate injury, especially if
the running is on hard surfaces. For the adult, hard and soft surfaces both have their risks and
benefits. For children, the vulnerability to growth plate problems shifts the balance in favor of
softer surfaces. The bottom line is that sprinting, falling, running into other children, etc on a
soft surface is much less risky for a childs long term health than running 40 miles per week on
pavement (or running that far on any surface, for that matter)

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

[Pier-14]

Imagine Sarah Hughes waiting until she was 12 or 13 to begin serious skating. She won the gold at 16
years old. She was STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. Would you recommend to all parents that their children not
participate in sports until high school. Here is a nice picture of Sarah
http://www.dianesrink.com/sarah/olympics.html Not running, ok but my son is gifted if I don't ask he
will never know, thats not right. "Donovan Rebbechi" <abuse@aol.com> wrote in message
news:slrnbqqdbl.2g9.abuse@panix2.panix.com...
> In article <3fad0786$0$95016$edfadb0f@dread11.news.tele.dk>, Jonathan
Sydenham wrote:
> > Two fascinating links. Thanks. I know quite a few kids who run. None of them does marathions but
> > they regularly race 10 ks and take part in track races at our club. There are races specially
> > for them but they are free to run with the "adults" too
if
> > they want, and some of the 12 and 13 year olds do so, beating many of
the
> > rest of us.
>
> According to Bob Glover's competitive runners handbook, some runners in
this
> age group are already OK for racing up to 10k, though probably not ready
for
> high milage training or marathons.
>
> I ran a 10k when I was 9 years old, and used to go for 3-4 mile runs at
the
> same age, but I didn't train consistently at that stage.
>
> Cheers,
> --
> Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

[Pier-14]

Have you read my post? My son is not on any running program. He was able to run 6.5 miles or 10k
without ANY program to get him fit. (NATURAL GIFT) I have the books with run 1 mile this day then
walk then sprint...ect. My son ran a 10k the 4th time he ever ran, with no practice of any type in
between. He might have run a 10k the first time ever he ran but who would even think to try? He
never runs more than once a week though he ask me to take him to the track at least every other day
after school. He will beg me to let him run even just 1 lap, he could care less if it is raining. I
saw the other children on his football team who barely finished a 1/8th mile lap, I don't know why
my son is different, he just is. If I had not put him in football I never would have seen him beat
the team and would not have given him a try at track. I am glad I tried both for his sake. "Donovan
Rebbechi" <abuse@aol.com> wrote in message news:slrnbqqd88.2g9.abuse@panix2.panix.com...
> In article <ZrOdnYzYQozAkzCiRVn-jA@comcast.com>, Pier-14 wrote:
> > Interesting point about the soccer broken arm. No one protest when
children
> > all over America play soccer, baseball or football. Yet adults let their children play these
> > sports.
>
> These sports are not comparable to serious distance training programs.
>
> > Yet running done for the love of it alone is percieved to be too dangeroius for children,
>
> I don't think "running done for the love of it alone" is considered
dangerous
> by anyone (as long as it's the *child*, not the parent who loves it, that
is).
>
> Long races or high milage training schedules are more problematic. Of
course
> you run in these sports, but you don't run 40 miles a week by playing
baseball
> or football. That's what's important -- whether he's running for the sake
of
> it or running in some other sport, he shouldn't be clocking up high
milage.
>
> > about anything one chooses to do. Furthermore when you run no one is
trying
> > to tackle you or get the ball away from you, triping you in the process, these things are far
> > more prone to cause injury than would jogging ever.
>
> There are different kinds of injury. High milage can result in growth plate injury, especially if
> the running is on hard surfaces. For the
adult,
> hard and soft surfaces both have their risks and benefits. For children,
the
> vulnerability to growth plate problems shifts the balance in favor of
softer
> surfaces. The bottom line is that sprinting, falling, running into other children, etc on a soft
> surface is much less risky for a childs long term health than running 40 miles per week on
> pavement (or running that far on
any
> surface, for that matter)
>
> Cheers,
> --
> Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

[Donovan Rebbech]

In article <jLSdnfdsU4ig1TCiRVn-sg@comcast.com>, Pier-14 wrote:
> Have you read my post?

What your son does or doesn't do is completely beside the point of my post. I would strongly
recommend you re-read what I wrote, without misreading it as a critcism constructive or otherwise of
your sons activity (because it isn't).

Not only did I read your post, I directly addressed your comments. Some of them are wildly
inaccurate, and reflect ignorance about what the recommendations are for young runners, and the
reasoning behind these recommendations. I also attempted to explain some of the issues that concern
young runners, and I hope you weren't too busy getting offended to take note of what I said.

I strongly recommend that you acquire some appropriate reading material and educate yourself until
you become an expert on this topic. Most if not all of the posters in this newsgroup (including me)
don't know very much about this topic.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

[Pier-14]

All you need is love, love is all you need. "^^^@" <Bagpimp@aol.net> wrote in message
news:icgqqvcuv9tdgto26nemms121hvuf9pdml@4ax.com...
> idiot
>
> On Sat, 8 Nov 2003 10:20:44 -0500, "Pier-14" <fishermans.cove@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> >Thank you for your reply, it is both interesting and informative. I have contacted the organizers
> >of several races 5k's all of them and ask if a 5 year old could run. They have all said that it
> >is fine they just
recomended
> >that an adult run with them. Thats me so here I go becoming a runner to follow my son.
> >"Globaldisc" <globaldisc@aol.com> wrote in message
> >news:20031108081518.00108.00000226@mb-m10.aol.com...
> >> If you want to develop this "natural talent", dig in your wallet, hire
a
> >> professional coach and nutrionist and pediatrician. You'll need all 3
> >and
> >> anything less would be irresponsibilty on your part.
> >>
> >> If you're 64 month old kid is running 6+ milers...you would be
> >irresponsible as
> >> a parent to not have him properly guided and monitored in every way as
he
> >> pursued and developed this natural talent of his. It's high risk.
> >>
> >> Below is a study of the damage young people (much older than your son)
> >incur in
> >> running marathons, I would think similar potential hazards are in play
for
> >64
> >> month year olds doing 6 Milers. Just my opinion scaling backwards.
> >There's
> >> also a kid's running site in case you are not aware of it.
> >>
> >> Also...you should send a quick email to Race Directors of the larger
10ks
> >in
> >> the country (i.e, I think Atlanta has a huge 10K), etc....and ask them
why
> >they
> >> do not allow 5 years olds in the event. They might have reasons your concerned about...
> >>
> >> Good luck
> >>
> >>
> >> http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html
> >>
> >> http://www.aap.org/policy/03326.html
> >>
> >> ---
> >>
> >> A coach said in regards to the Kenyans...
> >>
> >> "As I said earlier, they develop huge aerobic base by doing lots of
easy
> >runs
> >> without pushing themselves when they are at a young age. They also run
> >natural
> >> terrain in most cases barefoot to develop natural movement of their
feet,
> >which
> >> is vital for speed development. Finally, they eat wholesome food, not
> >processed
> >> with lots of preservatives. It may be difficult in America where most
> >athletic
> >> shoes are rigid and bulky and most foods are processed, but you can
still
> >> obtain these things."
> >>

[Harold Buck]

In article <aMidnR3oFtBm1jCiRVn-vA@comcast.com>,
"Pier-14" <fishermans.cove@comcast.net> wrote:

> Imagine Sarah Hughes waiting until she was 12 or 13 to begin serious skating. She won the gold at
> 16 years old. She was STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. Would you recommend to all parents that their children
> not participate in sports until high school. Here is a nice picture of Sarah
> http://www.dianesrink.com/sarah/olympics.html Not running, ok but my son is gifted if I don't ask
> he will never know, thats not right.

I agree that if he wants to do it then it's something you should pursue, because it does sound as if
he has tremendous natural talent. However, you need to walk a very fine line for the reasons people
have discussed: burnout, injury, psychological problems, etc. I think starting here is fine, but you
should talk to some professionals as well, particularly your pediatrician.

Your son could be a top runner someday, but only if you handle it right and he's lucky. You need to
be very careful in avoiding being a "little league" parent.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

- Homer J. Simpson