[kristine25]

So we just got back from a great week down in Seaside Oregon. One of the most beautiful, non-tropical beaches anywhere!!<br><br>
DD kept asking to go running with me since I ran everyday. No bike, no gym so all I could really do was run. I finally agreed to let her go. We were going to run from our condo rental to the surfers beach about .5 miles down the road. I figured she would make it 2-3 minutes than we would walk the rest of the way. I had a chat with her before we took off. I told her running was suppose to be fun and if she got tired or anything, we would stop and walk the rest of the rest of the way. Well, it turned out she ran the whole way, never wanting to stop despite me asking her at least 4-5 times how she was feeling and if she wanted to walk a little ways. She was so proud of herself for making it the whole way. And I don't think it wore it out too much since we did about a 30 minute hike after the run with my other daughter. This run was about 4 days ago and she has asked me everyday since then if she can run with me. I am wondering how much a little body can handle and if I should discourage this. I'm just not sure.<br><br>
By the way, she is 5 1/2.

 

[hobey]

DS ran his first race at 3, a 1K Leprechaun Lap. DH took him to the track a week before and figured they'd make 400 m at best. Little dude just kept on running and ran a mile before getting bored and going to the long jump pit to play.<br><br>
He's running the 1K again in 3 weeks.<br><br>
I figure as long as you go by what she's feeling and don't mind some 20 minute stops to look at particularly interesting rocks, she should be fine.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

I figure as long as she's doing it because she wants to any you're not pushing it, she's not too young. I think at that age they won't go above what their body can handle unless they're pushed -- and you sound like you didn't do that in the slightest bit. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Silly Sally]

My son ran a 5k hilly race with me when he was 9. His younger brother was 7. They only walked on the toughest parts of the hills and also through the few water stops. They hadn't trained at all for it and surprised the heck out of me.<br><br>
My suggestion would be to get her some really good running shoes. I think my kids had Saucony and Asics at that time.<br><br>
I was 7 when I did relay in school and I had a blast.<br><br>
Sally

 

[LookiLoo]

I have a 5 1/2 year old as well, and she likes to run - I just let her take the lead so it's usually running and walking for around a mile or 2 and that's it. She did her first 1 mile fun run last fall and had a blast! Just make sure she has good shoes!

 

[4boysmom]

My youngest was 8yo when he ran his first 2K. There's a series of kids 1m runs over the summer, which the 8, 10 and 12yos ran. In the first one, the 8yo beat his brothers!<br><br>
I figure as long as the kids want to do it, let them and keep it fun.

 

[donskiman]

Our son started running a local one mile kids race when he was three. The first year I ended up carrying him about half of it, the second year I carried him about a quarter mile, and then he always ran it all after that. He's also done our running club's kids races since he was 4.<br><br>
He used to imitate me doing bricks by biking to the end of the block and back, then running.<br><br>
More than likely your daughter will tire of running within a few weeks. You could take with you to the track and let her run around while you do speedwork.<br><br>
There is at least one 8-9 year old around here that runs 5Ks under 20 minutes already, so if she has talent for running you may want to nuture her along.

 

[pcsronbo]

make sure she has proper shoes. then let her loose to run as much as SHE wants and then you're golden.

 

[melonella]

DS did his first 5K at age 6 and it started out pretty much like what you're encountering. Sometimes we even had fun destinations for our runs (e.g. local smoothie place). He's not as into running now as he was then, so I don't get the company anymore...but it was fun while it lasted. Sounds like she's probably pretty inspired by her mom, so I say let her explore her own boundaries a bit (under your supervision of course).

 

[CactusTri]

There is medical advice that kids shouldn't run "too much" before they are done growing or they could stunt their growth. How much is "too much" seems to be the question.<br><br>
DS#1 trained for and ran a HM with me at 14yo. The training we did was minimal mileage and lots of walk breaks.<br><br>
DS#2 (12yo) didn't make the soccer team at school last fall so he has decided to start running. We are slowly working through C25k together (I use his runs as a w/u or c/d for mine) and he is doing a bit over 2 miles 2-3 times a week. I am not too worried about him running too much as long as he keeps the pace easy and plenty of rest days. I don't think I will encourage him to shoot for anything longer than 5-10k for another year or two. I haven't done anything to push him into running other than setting an example.

 

[3chilipeppers]

My twin daughters ran their first race at age 5. It was a 1 mile race. DS (age 2 1/2) will be running/walking it this year.<br><br>
DDs are now 6, and yesterday they did a brick -- 3 mile ride followed by a 3 mile run!! They ran a 5K before Christmas (by themselves), and they will be running a 10K on March 30. Their first tri will be May 4 (3 days before their 7th birthday)<br><br>
Oh, good shoes are important. DDs shoes were wearing out, so we got them new ones this weekend. It was REALLY hard to find good ones. Most "running" shoes start at size 1. They wear a 12. Stride Rite is where we go. They have Sauconys, and their "Superball" shoes are decent as well. DDs were so excited about their new shoes.<br><br>
As long as you let her go at her own pace, let her run as much as she wants to!

 

[4boysmom]

3chilli--do your kids have designated running shoes? I hate to be a cheap skate, but my guys are going through shoes about every 4-6mos as it is. Right now, 9yo is wearing regular 'athletic' shoes. I did get 15yo a pair of running shoes. He had a gift certificate (1st in AG) plus the store was giving away track shoes, which son didn't need, so they knocked that off the price, too.

 

[Yo Mikey]

My DD is excited about running her first race (she's 3 YO). We've been "training" for a 1k race (which will be a walk, run, skip, jump, "wow check out this little flower Daddy" event -- talk about multi-sport!). Her training has been put on a calendar format, which we had magnificent luck with her in potty training. One day she'll do jumps, next day she goes to My Gym, other days we walk around the block (.25 mile) or run in the grass, while always hydrating and having and encouraging fun. Then we put stars on the schedule. She likes it!<br><br>
I'll will be running with her in the race adding moral support, picking flowers, and holding hands.<br><br>
Oh yes, I'm sure she will be wearing pink - her favorite color!<br><br><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1235130518_8687c52b01.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">