Middle school girls and growth

Growth spurts can definitely throw off a kid's mechanics. All of a sudden they are dealing with a body and limbs of different proportions than what they are used to. And, the growth itself takes a lot of them sometimes, energy-wise. The good news is that she will adapt. My son went through this, and there were times when he got slower after a growth spurt, but over the long run, he got faster. If she can stay engaged in the sport and ride it out, she will eventually work through it.

Thanks. Anybody with info on girls relating to this would be helpful. Thanks.

Thanks. Anyone with experience with girls relating to this would be very helpful. Thanks all.

Here is a link to a presentation at a coaching conference on helping young runners develop by Mark Hadley, who is a certified coach and who's daughter Alana has done pretty well (Foot Locker Nationals as a 9th grader). It touches on many of the basics to keep in mind (nutrition, strength, consistency, etc) when dealing with young runners. You may find some things in here that will help you.

http://www.mprunning.com/attachments/File/Helping_Young_Runners_Develop.pdf

DO NOT TAKE ADVICE FROM MARK HADLEY!He has his daughter run 110 miles a week (not a typo) and has not improved her times over the last three years. And while she ran Footlocker as freshman she did not qualify as a sophomore.

Things To Keep In Mind wrote:

Here is a link to a presentation at a coaching conference on helping young runners develop by Mark Hadley, who is a certified coach and who's daughter Alana has done pretty well (Foot Locker Nationals as a 9th grader). It touches on many of the basics to keep in mind (nutrition, strength, consistency, etc) when dealing with young runners. You may find some things in here that will help you.

http://www.mprunning.com/attachments/File/Helping_Young_Runners_Develop.pdf

It's one thing to take advice, it's another to heed it. All knowledge is good knowledge.

The growth spurt is definitely an issue, as I am sure that a few pounds came along with the height. And she is at the age where girls are going through maturation as well. She is fine. I wouldn't push it at all...as long as she is enjoying it then that is a good thing. Her body will settle down soon and she will figure out how to adapt to that.

Middle school is a rough time for girls. They often start as teeny tiny skinny minnies and end up much taller and heavier...with boobs! Pretty shocking thing to happen. That sleek body goes away and they have a hard time dealing with the changes.

If she is having issues with cramping then you need to see what she is eating and drinking and when. Too much and too close to training can cause problems.

Just don't pressure her. She has already dropped soccer, which to me means that she is feeling the competitiveness of that sport is too much. So don't push with the running or she will quit that as well. 13 is the age when most kids quit sports because it gets more challenging and they can't deal with the competition.

Thanks, she is very competitive by nature, but I think the cramping has been a combination of going out to fast in races, as well as putting to much pressure on herself.