heather and katlynn Welsch Tween Marathoners (Page 3)

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.

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.

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.

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.