Running for Children
Running is a great sport for children, assuming they are given some guidance as beginners. Even the most clumsy child can learn to run, which is not true of coordination requiring sports, and the epidemic of obesity that threatens Britain’s children at present could be stopped in its tracks if all young people were exposed to a range of activities that didn’t require them to play team sports or put up with the jibes of others – this is why running is so good – you can do it alone and you can progress at your own pace.
Running also comes naturally. Human beings evolved to run away from dangerous animals and run after ones they could kill to eat. Of all the natural activities we undertake, running is the one we are best adapted to succeed in.
A young runner needs good shoes and good clothing. Any old trainers from the nearest supermarket are not good enough. Because young bones are still soft, proper support to the foot is essential if permanent harm is not to be done to the bones. On the other hand, running from a young age builds stronger denser bones and better knitted muscles – a bonus in later life. Clothing should be wicking fabric, not cotton – football shorts are okay, but most other forms of sport clothing do not translate well to running because of the risk of constriction or chafing. Fortunately running gear is not expensive.
Nutrition is essential for good running. Children need to eat at least two hours before they run, and to drink plenty of water after the run, and during it too if the weather is hot. Children under twelve should not run more that two miles three times a week unless they are part of a team or junior athletics club where there progress will be monitored to ensure they are capable of increasing their training.
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