My son has just now almost completed his first year of running. Last year in 6th grade his PR in the 800 was 2:36 and 1600 was 5:46. After the season we proceeded running local 5k and 10k events. with his first 5k being 22:40 and best 10k 47:30. and best 3k xc time of 11:50. He ran a lot over Xmas break and PRed a 5k in 20:36. What I am looking for is the best program out there for someone of his age for up to 1600m.
Let him have fun, dont burn him out early as long as he's having fun running he'll keep doing it and put in some actual work in high school
Assuming he competes on a team, his coaches should know what to do. Otherwise just run...3-5 days a week, make every 3rd or 4th run a 5k race or a tempo or track session.
Most of the good runners (and bad) I've known that age are not out pounding it every day. They are just going to their team practice 3d/wk or whatever, and that's it.
Times are good but he isn't headed to the world youth champs.
We have a kid your sons age in our neighborhood who started training 3 years ago. He has run national level track for 3 years. He has run 4:5X and 2:0X. He ran under 10 for 3k XC.
The problem he is having is that in the 7th grade he is running against 8th graders who can beat him even though they have trained less than half of what he has done. As they train together more, the 8th graders beat him by even more because they are just starting to train.
So the question is will he have learned that training helps or that it wasn't necessary?
Running is not like the skill sports like basketball where the total number of shots taken or hours spent dribbling counts for something. That doesn't mean he shouldn't run if he wants to but that the best program is likely the one he comes up with on his own.
Would not agree with all that. If your point is that talent and physical maturity are big factors, that is very true.
But time spent running is as important as practicing any sport.
Lastly, a 7th grader running those times is going to beat 95% of 8th graders. On a national level, being on the low end of an age group is a disadvantage for most, sure, but next year the situation will be reversed.
Reminds me of a case about 20 years ago when the parents of a very talented 7th grader asked if their daughter could run with my high school girls. I said "sure." They were then upset when after the 3 mile warm up I told her she was done for the day and can play in the long jump pit with my son and his trucks.
How much is he running now? mpw? workouts?
I agree that at that age 5 days a week is enough for middle school. He can run 6-7 days a week in high school. Of course there should be phases to his training. Always want a good base before workouts. Race pace workouts, tempos, cruise intervals, hills, sprints! Do 2-3 short workouts a week. Read Daniels running formula! Thats a great start to make sure your doing it right and on the right track for his future.
Sir: I have coached USATF Junior Olympic boys/girls for last 14 years. Have had several national champs and team champs. For so many, at this age, they disappear even after winning a national championship. Us coaches talk for years on what happened to them. First I think this running must be all JUST his interest, desire and drive. All him. Like a boy his age interested in baseball and on HIS OWN, he walks around all day with his bat and glove driving you nuts. We found, usually one parent, in running, is pushing the kid and trying to create a great. Good intentions, but the running he does becomes WORK. Id just have him look at targeting the 800 say 8th or ninth grade. Think 10000 is way to much now. Then see what his desires are. Now maybe he plays around with 12 miles a week or something. See if on his own HE is trying to figure out his training. Out of nowhere he should be mentioning to you, "oh by the way I just signed up for USATF JO CC", or into 9th grade, "Oh I just signed up for the CC HS team." Not making much sense am I? Just make sure this is all him and he is so psyched and lit up about this sport he is dabbling with. If so then he is having fun, his chosin fun. IMHO.