0.37 miles
Jank wrote about running with his son the other day and I thought that was a pretty cool idea. My son rides his bike while I run occessionally but I thought maybe a run might burn up some of the excess energy he has. So we went out for my 3 mile run, but he ran with me for a short period before we looped back and got his bike.
Jank ran half a mile but I decided on a time limit. I had no idea where my son stood in terms of endurance since his main activity is tearing around the house when he is not at gymnastics. So I set it on 2 minutes which seemed good for a first run. He seemed to accept that.
I talked to him about pacing and stuff like that but because he is 9 and has endless energy reserves and is made out of rubbers bands and springs, he did the sprint thing and then slowed down for his old man and then sprinted on ahead. We ended up stretching it to 3 minutes and by the time he got back he said he was out of breath.
I don’t know why, but I think being out of breath kind of scared him because he was “only running”. Somehow when he was gasping for air after running around the soccer field a couple years ago, that was ok. But when he is just running, I think he thought he shouldn’t be out of breath. I think in the soccer (or gymnastics) he feels like he is really working and this is easy. Hmmm.
So we got his bike and headed back out to finish the 3 miles. Ofcourse, he was racing up and down the path like he wasn’t tired at all, while I panted and sweated and scraped in my 9:00 pace. I think this worked out well and I’d like to continue it. I know that a friend of my son’s says they make them run for six minutes in gym class, and that kid runs like the wind now. Either way, I think a bike ride and a short little run every day will be good for my son. Oh, and for me too. :)
3 miles for me. .37 for the kid.
August 25th, 2006 08:50
that sounds pretty cool!
August 25th, 2006 09:02
Super cool idea!
August 25th, 2006 10:38
That’s awesome! I’m glad he did so well. My parents used to make my littlest little brother exercise when he was 10,11,12. Unlike the rest of us he didn’t do any organized sports so all he did was play video games. Even though he was a toothpick weight-wise it still wasn’t healthy. So he had to run a mile every day or something. Or bike ride. I don’t know the specifics. But I definitely think it’s good to get kids in the habit of moving around! I hope you had fun too!
August 25th, 2006 12:14
………….and HE might keep YOU motivated! Great idea.
August 25th, 2006 19:54
That’s great! One of the local running clubs sponsors four all-ages track meets and four all-ages cross country runs during the summer. My son ran in a cross-country race thursday night, and he had a great time.
August 25th, 2006 20:58
my 11 yo son runs with me some, but not as often as I wish. He’s got great short-burst energy, just long enough for a hockey shift, but no endurance to speak of. It’s amazing the things we talk about when we’re out running, too. I am grabbing onto that while I can, before he turns 13 and is a total turd.
August 25th, 2006 21:39
In CT, your son would HAVE to run a mile this year in under 10:30 to pass some stupid fitness test the state makes all the kids take in school. So keep up the good work, dadio!
August 26th, 2006 10:39
My teenage son only runs with me when there’s a club pizza night and I frame it as “soccer training with pizza at the end”.
Great idea, combining the running and the biking for your son. I’m inspired to try that with my 10 y.o. daughter. This morning. Right now.
August 26th, 2006 22:07
that’s lovely.