parkrun thread

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Non-runner
Non-runner
Apr 2019
10:06am, 21 Apr 2019
228 posts
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Non-runner
Just observationally, I think it’s more natural for kids to sprint then walk, like doing random intervals, rather than churning out a measured pace for the full 5k. And that’s fine😊
Mark​​
Mark​​
Apr 2019
11:48am, 21 Apr 2019
110 posts
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Mark​​
Yesterday I made the epic journey up the M6 from South Staffordshire to the Hanley, to squish, for the 5th time this year, a NENYD.

I was lucky to meet up with Sigh, who gave me a guided tour of the park before the race, mentally preparing me for the slight inclines on the course. To show my gratitude I went on to beat him in the race.
Spideog
Spideog
Apr 2019
12:42pm, 21 Apr 2019
348 posts
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Spideog
If the kid is not being forced to run 5km by over enthusiastic parents then it hardly matters what distance they do at what age. If they can't be bothered then they will stop. No risk of injury or long term harm.

The idea that there is some kind of long term bone damage going to happen is from the same source as the one about running damaging your knees, that you need to drink 2 pints of water an hour during a marathon and that vaccines don't work. Entirely made up cow excrement.
Steven Garden
Steven Garden
Apr 2019
2:44pm, 21 Apr 2019
26 posts
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Steven Garden
"Does anyone know if there is an age when you're too young to run parkrun? I know from XC that there are restrictions on the distance that youngsters can run, but there seems to be no such restrictions with parkrun. It worries me that so many young children are regularly knocking out 5k's and being encouraged to do so. Surely the distance is too far for young, developing bones? Maybe I'm worrying too much?"

Yes you are worrying too much. There is a sum total of zero scientific evidence that physical activity is harmful for children, and a rather large body of evidence (pun intended) that an absence of activity is catastrophic.

We were talking about this yesterday. I know times change but as maybe an 8 year old my mum used to turf me out of the house on Saturday so she could housekeep. My mates and I would run the mile to the park, play football for 3 or 4 hours, then run home again for lunch. Rinse and repeat the same thing for the afternoon, then in the evening we'd play for another couple hours but this time in the street outside the house.

These days you see people posting online about how it's harmful for kid's bones to be running 2k, and you see parents giving their kids a 500ml bottle of sports/energy drink to carry round a parkrun. It's ridiculous.

There's quite a good article at the link below that may help if you are worried.

runnersworld.com
Sigh
Sigh
Apr 2019
2:57pm, 21 Apr 2019
3,690 posts
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Sigh
@Mark, I didn't see your heels for dust :-) :-)
The_Saint
The_Saint
Apr 2019
3:46pm, 21 Apr 2019
6,394 posts
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The_Saint
When humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers, did the groups check the daily mileage for kids? I wonder which is more harmful for a kid, munching pizza, ice cream and full sugar drinks daily or moving around? I'm lying actually, I don't wonder at all, I know.
jda
jda
Apr 2019
3:50pm, 21 Apr 2019
4,315 posts
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jda
Let's not look too hard at the lives and life expectancy of the hunter-gatherers when making broad judgements about healthy lifestyles :-)
DocMoye
DocMoye
Apr 2019
3:52pm, 21 Apr 2019
27,676 posts
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DocMoye
I'm going to somewhere near Hanley on 2nd August ... Must seek out advice from Sigh
Chramies
Chramies
Apr 2019
5:05pm, 21 Apr 2019
12 posts
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Chramies
I have been rescuing my Brompton bike from the shed, as the result of a comment yesterday as to the only way to get to Bedfont Lakes parkrun. It's my NENDY but not accessible by public transport as far as I can tell.
The_Saint
The_Saint
Apr 2019
5:13pm, 21 Apr 2019
6,395 posts
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The_Saint
With hunter-gatherers, I should be clear I'm talking about things like obesity and heart disease, not infant mortality rates in prehistory. I'd be fascinated to see any official stats on kids dying from running.

About This Thread

Maintained by Hendo
A discussion of all things parkrun.

Here's a wiki giving brief reviews of parkruns up and down the land:

fetcheveryone.com/article-view.php?id=545

parkruns with restart permission: google.com

Note: Hendo is a boy.

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  • 5k
  • parkrun









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