Training an 11 year old

Let her do what she wants to, because she's ELEVEN

She should be able to have a conversation while she is running. If she can't complete a short sentence with out gasping - it's to fast.

In addition to keeping distance run pace conversational:

1. Find other kids her age to run with her. Make it a running group and it'll be a lot more fun than running alone or running with Dad.

2. Run trails as often as possible. I've coached younger kids off and on over the years and most always preferred running trails to roads, and definitely to interval.

The main thing about kids that young is not to push them to the point that they stop enjoying it. Let the kid decide how much they want to do and how fast to run. If they enjoy it they'll stick at. Trying to optimise the exact pace they run at now is going to make no real difference down the line...

George Viebs wrote:

My 11 year old daughter is a soccer player, who also likes to run. She runs the mile in about 7 minutes flat, and I was looking for some guidance on what kind of pace she should be training at. Last summer we ran 3 days a week, about 5 or 6 miles in total. This spring and summer I want to move up the mileage a little bit. What do you think would be appropiate type workouts, as well as pacing? Thanks.

Step away and let the kid do what she wants. Even if it's nothing.

If this is real, always a question on this craphole, you're already too involved.

Ess Gee Ess wrote:

Step away and let the kid do what she wants. Even if it's nothing. .

I agree. Let her do whatever she wants. If she decides she doesn't want to go to school anymore, let her. If she decides she just wants to eat junk food all day let her. If she decides she wants to become sexually active at age 11 let her. It is her life. Stop tying to be a parent and try to suck up to your kid and be her best friend instead. Kids don't need direction, they know what is best for them. Kids don't need your experience and any coach who has experience with coaching kids, they will figure out on their own what is best for them. The key is that she is happy and if what makes her happy is just doing nothing all day or video games all day so be it. You are already too involved in her life, so back off.

Don't push your daughter to do too much, but don't limit her. For example, when I was 11 I did 30-40 mile weeks. I thought it was fine, but your daughter might not want to do that much mileage. So just let her do her own thing you know?

Thanks for bringing nothing to the discussion.

Maybe she prefers soccer- don't push your dreams on her

if she wants to run a lot don't hold her back, but try to keep the pace easy. I personally think big miles at a slow pace is good for young kids. Make sure it is her choice or you will be wasting her time. She might like soccer more.

ukathleticscoach wrote:

Maybe she prefers soccer- don't push your dreams on her

Maybe she prefers running - don't hinder her dreams

Helluva Runner wrote:

if she wants to run a lot don't hold her back, but try to keep the pace easy. I personally think big miles at a slow pace is good for young kids.

Agree totally! It is the intense workouts to get quick sucess that burns them out.

Class! You make your point well.