My son is an 8th grader and had a pretty decent fall, running under 11 minutes for 2 miles in CC. He doesn't really "train," per sey, in the off-season, only running a handful of times this summer (maybe 10 miles at week at best).
He's got his eye on his school's record for the 1600 (4:48), and he'd like to get started after New Years. What advice do I give him? I never really ran in between seasons in middle school, and I certainly don't want to push him to run year 'round. If he wants that when he's older - fine. To me, playing some indoor soccer would be great, and he did, but the season ends in January.
So where should he start? Just putting in a few miles, a couple times a week? I know he's going to ask. Do I encourage plyos? Or strides? Speedwork (ahem - I know, it's not all that fast)? Practice won't start officially until the end of March.
Thanks. Just trying to juggle the ex-runner/dad thing with as much grace as I can.