Let’s not forget the Kids!
With this modern world of technology, ipads, play stations, computers etc – maybe offering to take your child on a run with you could infact be the best gift you could give them.
Running or walking a mile each day has significant health benefits for children. Creating a regular exercise habit, within the family environment, will benefit them both mentally and physically for life.
Make it fun!
It has to be fun and the kids have to want to do it. Make running time special. Plan regular weekly or monthly runs with your kids as a way to have one-on-one time with Mom or Dad. Participate in fun races and rewards their achievements.
Did someone mention awards? Well we can help out there! The Kids Virtual Running Club currently has six amazing key-ring souvenirs for the young runners / walkers. They can be used as achievement awards or offered the same time as the parent takes on one of our Virtual Runs, thus keeping your child connected and involved. Many more characters will be joing Cuddly, Snappy, Trumpy, Cheeky, Whizzy and Tilley soon – so no fear of ‘running out’ of options! All of the medals are available through our shop.
Required kit:
Kids can run in any old t-shirt and shorts, but the shoes are as important to them as yours are to you. So please visit a specialist sports shoe seller for their advice. The idea is for the kids to have fun, not get injured. And the running shoes are a further incentive for the kids and will make them feel like you – a real athlete!
Safety:
You are responsible for your childs safety and when out on a run with them you must be forwad thinking, and alert to all that is going on around you. Keep a constant eye on your child, do not let them run ahead or behind you and if near a road instill into them the dangers and protocols of keeping safe.
What distance can my child run?
Every child is different, and no child should be running further than they want to.
As a general rule, kids up to age 14 should only run three times per week, over 15 can train up to 5 times per week.
Ages 9-11 can run a maximum of 3.2 miles
Ages 12-14 can run a maximum of 6.4 miles
Ages 15-16 can run 13.1 miles (Half Marathon)
Aged 17 can run 19.2 miles
Aged 18 and over can run 26.2 miles (The Marathon)
Easy Does it:
One error commonly made by athletes of all ages is overtraining. The dramatic increase in level and intensity of competition at the youth sport level has translated into a significant increase in overuse injuries. Tendinitis, apophysitis, and stress fractures are three common types of injuries seen in pediatric and adolescent athletes. If the accumulated load on the body is greater than the body’s ability to adapt and recover, these types of overuse injuries will occur. Coaches, parents, and athletes must not cross that fine line between conditioning at the maximum level for improved fitness, and exercising to the point of overuse.