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PRE-SCHOOLER AND DISTANCE
Ed Poirier, Coach
Dear Coach Ed,
Can I ask you a question about my 3 1/2 year old? She loves to run with me, and she's really active. Our town has a biweekly FUN RUN 1, 2, or 3 miles long. Olivia likes to go and we run the 1 miler together, holding hands usually (she wants to). The first fun run this spring she did in 11:43. Is this dangerous for her? I think she likes the run because there are great cookies at the end. Eek. Advice?
Thanks,
E.G.
Hi Eve,
At the youth track meets I organize I have a 50 meter race for kids 3 & 4. Some even run in the 100 meters. On occasion I will give kids that age a shot at the 200 meters. That's it. This is my no means a rule it is just what I feel comfortable with. Running 1 mile? I have to leave that answer up to your pediatrician. Would I allow a 3 or 4 year old to run in my 1 mile race? No. I have no statistics or medical information that tells me it could cause harm. It is just a gut feeling judgment call. Little developing bones, muscles, and connecting tissues why risk it? I love the fact that she wants to do it and she is real active. Always encourage that but 1 mile. I wouldn't.
Coach Ed
Ed Poirier, "Coach Ed", recently was invited by the United States Olympic committee to attend a workshop and training seminar at the Olympic training center in California.
