the children's page
Compiled by Kim Ottaviani

"Children may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."- Author unknown

How Far is Too Far?

Guidelines to help parents, coaches and race directors answer that question will be provided in the upcoming revised edition of the RRCA publication Children's running: a guide for parents and kids.

Those guidelines were on my mind when I learned that my Goddaughter Nina, 11, planned to train for a 5-mile road race, after having participated in the 1-mile fun run the past few years. Her mom, a non-runner (volunteer), expected me, a runner, to be excited about the news. And although I'd love to see Nina follow in my road-racing footsteps, my initial reaction was to call her and tell her that the distance was too far for a child her age.

I did not immediately act upon this impulse. Instead, after further thought, I sent along some tips (and a copy of the RRCA children's running guide) to help Nina achieve her goal. Why didn't I strictly adhere to the guidelines in the book? In this situation Nina, herself, decided to give the longer distance a try. She was not persuaded or coerced by her parents. She and a friend are planning to train together, thus putting the emphasis on fun and camaraderie as well as fitness. Nina is fully aware of what is involved with a distance of 5 miles and her goal is just to finish the race, walking if need be. Also, Nina, an energetic, athletic kid, is already in great physical shape from swimming and playing softball. Finally, the cold dark Detroit winter will be closing in soon after the 5-mile event, firmly putting the brakes on Nina's "running career" until the spring thaw when we can reassess her running goals.

Would my advice have been the same had she expressed a desire to run a marathon? No. That would have been too much of a stretch. Sometimes kids need us to put the brakes on. But they also need us to use our common sense when deciding when to let them push their limits just a bit. The key is finding the right balance.

There is a lot of controversy over what distance is right for what age group. Many people say that children should run whatever distance they wish or are comfortable with. But who leaves decisions like this up to a child? What parents would permit their child to try out for the Yankees after having a good season in Little League or give their blessing if their child decided to drive cross-country the day after getting a drivers license-no matter how comfortable the child felt with the decision? It is up to parents to monitor their child's running and racing, just as it is up to them to monitor other important developmental aspects of their lives. The guidelines set by the RRCA, along with parents' intimate knowledge of their child's fitness level, can help parents make decisions regarding running and racing that will insure that their child runs safe and smart and that running will be an activity that he or she can enjoy for a lifetime.

Some of our club members had thoughts on the subject:

Keep it fun. Offer a bit of a challenge but it is better to keep things on the easy side than to make it too challenging and lose the child.
-John MacGillivray, Jersey Shore Running Club, NJ

Keeping a positive atmosphere is important. Reward effort and participation and do everything with a smile.
-Rich Castro, Boulder Road Runners, CO

Keeping it noncompetitive for children under 12 is the key.
-Beverly Coville, Rome Runners Club, GA

It has to be better to have children out there running than sitting on the couch playing video games. As long as the distance they are running doesn't impede development, I say let them go for it.
-Mark Haub, Little Rock Road Runners, AR

The only limits that I set for kids are that they can only do so much more than they have already done. In other words, if they want to run a 10K but have only run a mile to date, then I would recommend they master a mile and a half first and so on.
-John Devitt, Yellowstone Rim Runners, MT

Parents should be encouraged to seek out experts for advice on selecting shoes, proper stretching, running form, proper nutrition and hydration as well as to help them set limits to prevent burnout and injury to their child.
-Loretta Dodson, Lehigh Valley RR, PA

Allow children to excel gradually. Don't push them. Make sure that they are well rounded health-wise, with a proper diet and adequate rest. And by all means, love them. Let them enjoy running as good exercise and a fun thing to do.
-Cliff Cole, Chambersburg RR, PA