My Forum

WoW!! looks like Ive started something here!!!

I only realy came on here for some general advise for my girl. I DO want whats best for her and didnt just want to take her down to the nearest club and have her flung into competion, as I would prefer for her to be happy, enjoy her sport and make her own mind up.

I emailed and called a few clubs in the area who all basically said the same thing ," bring her down", however after speaking at length to her football club coach, the decision we have ALL taken is to see the football season through, allow Amy to enter a few shortish runs to see if she continues to enjoy the experience, around her matches and football training when the schedule is not too hectic, then consider her options in the summer. 

I dont want to get involved in flaming other members here, i value all your comments and of course fully expect a difference of opinion. It is for me then to form a balanced opinion as a parent.

Amy has now entered the great Manchester junior run, to give her something to aim for, and she comes out for a couple of miles with me once or twice a week, and also participates in school x country.

I think this is probably a reasonable balance in her sport for now. She is aware as are her school that she has a talent, but at 12 years of age I dont want to railroad her.

Just trying to pull this back on track (if you pardon the pun!!)

Kind regards

Mike

Hi, Again many thanks for all the help.

 I have now been contacted by a chap from Stretford AC, who has asked me to take Amy along to see how she gets on.

Amy did compete in her school cross country trials this week and has done well, finishing first from her school in the year 8/9 event (she is one of the youngest in year 8), so it does look like she  may be best off doing that for now as well as seeing how she likes the club scene. Looks like I am going to busy though with football monday, wed, Sat, and running Thursday nights!

Suppose thats what being a parent is all about!

 regards

 Mike  

Hi All

Many thanks for all the great help and advice!! I really am speachless that you have all took the time to offer guidance.

I take one particular point on board in that the santa dash could possibly not have been that well measured, but i dont think it would have been that far out as guide.

I certainly dont want too push her in any particular direction at the moment especially being so much into her football, but Ive already been asked to find her a more serious run so that she can give it a go.!!

United are very good really and actively encourage all their girls to be active in as many sports as possible. I dont think me at least giving her the opportunity to experience a few race days will do her any harm. She did though do the Great manchester kids run around eastlands in May (I think) of this year she came around 12 or 13 in that from memory , Im not sue of the distance but there were over 300 kids in her category, her result is somewhere on the great run website but i have not been able to find it!! That was definitely her first competitive run of any kind. 

I have taken Amy out with me a couple of times recently and been left standing over a couple of miles, i had been suspecting for a while that she could possibly make a decent runner if thats what she wanted to do. I am 46 now and been running for around 20 odd years, ive done London once (2003) and many half marathons, 10 milers, 10k etc but now I just do 15/20mile a week to keep in trim. 

I will have a look around to see what park runs are around and perhaps get her in a couple.

Again I really do appreciate all your help and guidance, I am obviously comunicating with some very experienced and dedicated runners.

regards to you all!!

Mike

Hi

Im hoping someone can give me some advice here.

My daughter Amy is just 12 years old and has started to show a real interest in distance running, however she also plays football at an elite level (MUFC girls centre of excellence).

 As her training schedule is already quite demanding with training 2 nights a week and matches all over the NW of England on Sats, I am very concerned about her doing too much (not to mention the chasing round i have to do!!).

Whats got me concerned is that on Sunday Amy entered a 5k santa dash in Manchester and finished with a time of 19min.55secs which for a 12 year old I think is very good. Amy was first femail accross the line and only beaten by 10 mail adult runners (over 200 competitiors).  

 She was even shown on skysports news, and I have a screen shot to prove it!

can someone help with the following questions?

Firstly I am thinking that 5k might realistically be too far a competitive run for a 12 year old girl?

Is under 20mins a good time, and is there any web sites that can give me comparisons?

Are there any decent clubs or local races of 3to5k that Amy can give it a go?

Football is obviously her first sport, but if she has a talent i would not like to see it go to waste!!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

regards

Mike (concerned parent!!)