Is 12 years old too young to train for a 1/2 mary?

There are a growing number of docs and Pediatricians who think this is not such a good idea.  I am not gonna try and argue their point mostly because I am not a doc and have no business do so.

I might suggest that before you head down that road, go look up the research (and Opinions) and arm yourself with the facts and potential risks.

I might also suggest that you do what is prudent for anyone heading into the world of Endurance Sports. Have a chat with your doc and get a checkup before starting out. This will give you an opportunity to chat with a doc and ask questions about the risks

Good luck and I think it's great that your supporting your DD with her athletic ambitions

My answer?  Yes, too young.

Even Daniels (one of the premier running coaches out there) does not like to subject young athletes to anything more strenuous than 5 - 10k ..... all the way up through college.  He prefers to focus them on shorter/faster stuff.

Especially since it is a daughter.  You can seriously mess up their puberty issues by subjecting them to that level of running stress.

But then again, I'm no coach ................ yet .........

I would talk to a dr first.  I did a race a few years ago and there was a family with dad and 3 kids I think 7, 8 and 11 doing the HIM.  They finished around 2:20 and when I looked the previous year they ran in under 2:40 I think. Not saying it won't cause some form of long term damage but they can definatley finish by 11.

I may not be a doc. But I say let her do it.

Talk to her doc of course, but if she loves to run encourage it. Just do the "talk" after ever training day i.e. how you feeling, anything hurting, lets stretch etc.

 I say do it and mom and daughter should have fun together. As long as she's not full out racing the darn thing than go for it.

IMO, most 12 year olds could train to complete a half marathon but I don't think it is the best way for someone of that age to be involved in running.

I believe that the primary goal when working with young athletes is to promote a life-long involvement in sport and in my experience, having a young athlete run a few times a week for 20-60' is more likely to see them continue with running as opposed to trying to have them follow a fully regimented training program.

For those athletes that are ready for a regimented training program at that age, they will more than likely be better served by building their speed over shorter distances (800, 1000, 1500, mile).  The speed that they build over the shorter distances will serve them well as they get older and step up to longer events.

Shane

Thanks, Latrina...I appreciate the encouragmeent.  But it is dad and daughter. 

I'm so sorry. That was my mistake. Dad and daughter should definetly have fun.

 I just moved from california to georgia not too long ago (9 months) and there were kids your daughters age and teenagers regularly running the la marathon. It was no big thing and EVERY year there was a special on those kids in a particular running group.

I still say go for it.

show off...

You might want to check out some of the studies that have been done on puberty-aged girls in sports.  It's a little frightening.  Some of these girls have long term damage from doing too much training.  Definitely talk to her doctor and do some research before making the decision.

The book I'm thinking about is called "Warrior Girls: Protecting our Daughters Against the Injury Epidemic in Women's Sports" 

And neither is "he" a "she."  Hate to be gender biased, but there are more issues with training that early for young women than young men.