heather and katlynn Welsch Tween Marathoners (Page 2)

Left Brain - 2013-02-13 10:35 AM

I agree with your premise.......but if your kids are talented enough to "play/complete" at the top level of their chosen sport, that gets tricky.  "Out of hand" becomes harder to define.  Look at Gabby Douglas, the American Gymnast.  Her mother basically destroyed her own finances so that her child could pursue her dream.  Out of hand?

lonoscurse - 2013-02-13 10:50 AM

You bring up an interesting point.  I don't know that I would go to the level that some parents go to get their kids into the Olympics, etc.  This is only my personal opinion, so take it for what it's worth.  But, I don't think that sending your child away to live with someone else for a large portion of their childhood, while at the same time destroying your financial situation, is a recipe for long-term success and fulfillment.

My idea about the "control" was focused more on the sportsmanship aspect.  As children, I think they (kids in general) have little perspective on sportsmanship, and what role a sport should play in their life.  When/if that becomes an issue, I believe that it would be my job to act as that "control".

KeriKadi - 2013-02-13 1:23 PM Again, for me, it is the distance. When a 12 year old says I want to do a marathon it is the parents job to say no. Running is great, keep up the 5K, 10K, sprint triathlons.

Support is one thing but parents just don't want to say no or even worse, they are the ones pushing the longer distances.

Left Brain - 2013-02-13 11:47 AM

I agree.  I know more broke kids from running too long too soon than I do 12 year old phenoms who moved on to higher levels.  It's part of the reason I like the draft legal USAT races for kids.  They are very age appropriate with regard to distances.

When my kid was 13 he wanted to run a HM after he ran well in a 10K.  We consulted a very well regarded youth coach who said absolutely not....and then admonished us for letting him run a 10K.  Looking back to where he was then, and where he is now, that coach was right on the money.

r1237h - 2013-02-13 3:17 PM

And if the child happened to be an exception to the rule, with both the coach and the doctor saying that in his case, no problem?

Left Brain - 2013-02-12 10:20 PM

Great family and talented kids, but no they don't.  They get beat just like everyone else. I've watched them quite a bit....maybe the first family of Draft Legal triathlon in the U.S.....but they get beat plenty.  There are just SO many talented Jrs. and U23 racers coming up, and almost all of them have supportive, nurturing parents....that's a big part of how they got there.  

The fact is, the majority of kids who make it to the top level of athletics have great parents.  I see some parents who are dumbarses...but I don't see them for very long, or their kids.

There comes a point where kids race/play for themselves.......you either help build that into them and help them achieve their goals and dreams, or you ruin their hopes.  It can't be a parent's dream, no matter how much you'd like to see them succeed.

r1237h - 2013-02-13 2:17 PM

 

And if the child happened to be an exception to the rule, with both the coach and the doctor saying that in his case, no problem?

GomesBolt - 2013-02-13 3:01 PM

Talking about the Rebacks right?  They haven't failed to win an AG when I've been at the race.  My point is just that the kids have to push themselves.  The dad has the van going to workouts and if they get themselves there, great.  If not, it's on them.

There are also 2 sets of Rebacks.  David's 14 (6 of them racing age) and John's 6 (3 of them racing age).

Goosedog - 2013-02-13 1:30 PM

I guess there are always exceptions to the rule, but with distance running - what's the point?  Let's say a kid is destined to be an elite marathoner.  Will waiting to run long hurt their future prospects?  I would venture a guess, no.  Shalane ran her only her second marathon at the trials at age 30.  I think her first was at age 28.  Point being, you can design a very effective, world class training plan for a kid than will allow them to develop into a marathoner while avoiding running long at young ages. 

So, if you balance the upside of running long at a young age (not much) with the downside (injury/burnout/etc), it almost seems to be a no brainer.  Particularly if the kid is really gifted.  If it's just a whim to go out and run long, have at it (still probably not the greatest idea).  But if you have a kid that is exceptional, I think you owe it to them to hold back on the distance.

 

GomesBolt - 2013-02-13 5:10 PM

While not a marathon, Kenyan kids run 8-12K to get to and from school daily.  So that by age 18, the average Kenyan has run 10,000 more miles than the average US High School Cross Country Runner.  The Kenyan kids start as early as 5.  (Paraphrasing Joe Vigil).

My 5 yo son loves to run, so I run with him to and from school (~1 mile) when I'm home and I take him on ~2 mile runs on weekends.  He loves to go out and sprint too.  He'll do 50-yard sprints in his bare feet for hours.  I can't wait until he's here in Austin so I can take him to town lake and run ~2 miles around all the other runners out there.

My 4yo daughter doesn't like running.  She likes being outside with us. I don't make her do it. Usually, I take my son on runs when my daughter is busy doing something else. 

I think the Marine Corps Marathon age limit is 14 years old.  I don't know why that is the limit, but if it's good enough for the Corps, it's good enough for me.

Semper Fidelis!

Goosedog - 2013-02-13 12:30 PM

I guess there are always exceptions to the rule, but with distance running - what's the point?  Let's say a kid is destined to be an elite marathoner.  Will waiting to run long hurt their future prospects?  I would venture a guess, no.  Shalane ran her only her second marathon at the trials at age 30.  I think her first was at age 28.  Point being, you can design a very effective, world class training plan for a kid than will allow them to develop into a marathoner while avoiding running long at young ages. 

So, if you balance the upside of running long at a young age (not much) with the downside (injury/burnout/etc), it almost seems to be a no brainer.  Particularly if the kid is really gifted.  If it's just a whim to go out and run long, have at it (still probably not the greatest idea).  But if you have a kid that is exceptional, I think you owe it to them to hold back on the distance.

 

SpottedCow - 2013-02-13 3:41 PM Wow!  I just read the original story.  I think it's great if the kids really enjoy the races, but I'd say the jury is out on that.   The fact that Dad has lied about their age to enter them in races (and that the older girl said she has no friends) pretty much says it all.  He sounds like a real piece of work and maybe needs some mental health therapy

KeriKadi - 2013-02-12 4:54 PM We live in Houston and know these girls, not personally but the younger girl, Heather is the same age as my oldest daughter. Clearly the girls are talented. What bothers me is how often they race and the distances. Most of the season they race 2-3 times per weekend. They race Saturday and Sunday and some Friday's. Their Dad has also lied about their ages to get them into races. I know for a fact when told his girls could not race he threatened the RD with bad publicity.

I raced an Olympic distance in 2011, when I passed each of the girls on the bike they were bawling loudly. They caught me shortly out of T2 so I had the pleasure of hearing their dad 'encourage' them with some strong language for a good mile. He's running and screaming at the top of his lungs telling them they are too slow, behind by x minutes blah blah blah.

After another adult race I asked Heather if she enjoyed triathlons and she said no but she did like running. This was a Saturday race and when I asked her if she was racing Sunday she said "I don't know, we don't usually know what we are dong ahead of time, Dad just wakes us up in the morning. If the bikes are in the truck we are doing a tri."

GomesBolt - 2013-02-13 5:10 PM

While not a marathon, Kenyan kids run 8-12K to get to and from school daily.  So that by age 18, the average Kenyan has run 10,000 more miles than the average US High School Cross Country Runner.  The Kenyan kids start as early as 5.  (Paraphrasing Joe Vigil).

My 5 yo son loves to run, so I run with him to and from school (~1 mile) when I'm home and I take him on ~2 mile runs on weekends.  He loves to go out and sprint too.  He'll do 50-yard sprints in his bare feet for hours.  I can't wait until he's here in Austin so I can take him to town lake and run ~2 miles around all the other runners out there.

My 4yo daughter doesn't like running.  She likes being outside with us. I don't make her do it. Usually, I take my son on runs when my daughter is busy doing something else. 

I think the Marine Corps Marathon age limit is 14 years old.  I don't know why that is the limit, but if it's good enough for the Corps, it's good enough for me.

Semper Fidelis!

r1237h - 2013-02-13 7:05 PM. . ., as long as we aren't playing with their health and/or safety.

KeriKadi - 2013-02-12 3:54 PMWe live in Houston and know these girls, not personally but the younger girl, Heather is the same age as my oldest daughter. Clearly the girls are talented. What bothers me is how often they race and the distances. Most of the season they race 2-3 times per weekend. They race Saturday and Sunday and some Friday's. Their Dad has also lied about their ages to get them into races. I know for a fact when told his girls could not race he threatened the RD with bad publicity.

I raced an Olympic distance in 2011, when I passed each of the girls on the bike they were bawling loudly. They caught me shortly out of T2 so I had the pleasure of hearing their dad 'encourage' them with some strong language for a good mile. He's running and screaming at the top of his lungs telling them they are too slow, behind by x minutes blah blah blah.

After another adult race I asked Heather if she enjoyed triathlons and she said no but she did like running. This was a Saturday race and when I asked her if she was racing Sunday she said "I don't know, we don't usually know what we are dong ahead of time, Dad just wakes us up in the morning. If the bikes are in the truck we are doing a tri."

Left Brain - 2013-02-14 4:35 PM

Can anyone point me to a person who was running marathons or even HM's at 12 years old on a regular basis who ended up being an elite distance runner?  Just curious.

jobaxas - 2013-02-13 11:38 PM

I wonder if you look to the African nations....wonder what their running background is - the whole having to run to school scenario or the nearest town whatever...probably not through coaching or advice more through necessity.

Left Brain - 2013-02-14 4:47 PM

Eh....what's the injury rate for all of those running Kenyan kids?  Anyone?  How about genetics....I've stood next to some of those guys.....36 inch inseam and a 20 inch torso.  Yeah, and exaggeration to some degree, but not much.  How about the altitude that they grow up in?  

For sure, there is plenty of evidence that a big engine needs to be built while a child is growing in order to be really competitive, but running marathons is never pointed out as good training for a pre-teen.

I had to walk to school uphill both ways, through 3 feet of snow.........and for my dad and grandpa the hills were steeper and the snow was deeper....in fact, my grandpa had to walk uphill all three ways.  Don't believe it?  Ask my kids.

jobaxas - 2013-02-13 11:50 PM

Yeah I tried googling a couple.  One Kenyan was running 5km in 15mins so was sent to a school in another town at 15 to train to be a professional runner - but doesn't seem like he was running insane distances.  Genetically for sure they are built for it.  It's also what's available to them as a nation.  You don't see African swimmers because they don't have the facilities available to do that as a sport.  Had a whole discussion on the radio here about it - the reason they do so well at running is because it's an accessbile sport.