Couch to 4k for children

[RufusTheReindeer]

Is there anything similar for childen?

Ds1 and dd at 14 and 16 are pretty good hobby runners, they dont run far at the moment but i am trying to encourage the habit

They ran today with DH who runs beautifully but usually can't be bothered but at least they can go out together if they want to

I would love to run but find it very difficult due to being lazy, overweight and apparently not as good as breathing as i thought. Did try running a year or so back but managed to injure myself

Ds2 is 12 and takes after his mother excepthe is probably more self conscious. I want to try and encourage him to excercise like his siblings but i don't really know where to start with him

I was going to walk with him and try the occasional jog but i don't know whether there is a better system or whether anybody has any suggestions. I thought i would learn along with him

His running wasnt bad at all when he was smaller and i do realise that not everyone enjoys running and it might not be his thing

[CMOTDibbler]

You can do the nhs c25k plan at any age. To make it more interesting, find your local parkrun (free, Saturday, 9am, 5k) and make it a family event. Plenty of people walk/run it when they begin going.

The secret is to run much slower in the run sections than you think btw, that way you learn to manage your breathing etc

[RufusTheReindeer]

Thanks for that CMOT

Will look it up again, will try that with the breathing as well

Of course its c25k!!!! No wonder i couldn't find it when i googled

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I did c25k with my DD and ds aged 8&10 and they were fine. DD is a little whippet so just bounced along beside us, while ds and I were pink faced and panting, but we did it! I did it with a friend a few years back and got to the 5k, which has seemed impossible on the first day! I started to totally love running and went on to really enjoy running until I injured myself.

Having had a few months a year or so off running I plan to start again in the new year. Will see if ds wants to join me again. We used to get up early on school days and be out 7.30-8am and then have a shower before school. It was fun as it was still dark at that time of day so a bit of an adventure for him!

[RufusTheReindeer]

Thanks mark

Will put c25k into action tomorrow

[chutneypig]

Enjoy c25k tomorrow. I'm not a natural runner and hated exercise previously and I finished c25k last year. I'm very slow but I do run and I love it. I think it'd be a great introduction for your DS and you and a fantastic thing to do together.

I very much second the parkrun suggestion above too. I started when I finished c25k and now my whole family do it, DH and DTs (8), they do the junior parkrun too. At 2k that might be a good option for your DS if you have one near? The atmosphere is so supportive, it's a great introduction.

DD told me yesterday that her favourite thing this year was starting running.

[MrsMook]

I'd say C25k and parkrun too.

Parkrun is a great goal because it attracts a wide variety of runners, and there are the t-shirts as rewards for completing various numbers of runs.

The junior parkrun is 4 to 14.

[RufusTheReindeer]

Thanks

I did have a look at the local park run but its adults only and the junior one is miles away

I did see that children can join in the adult one so we may be walking it

Ds1 seemed interested...You're not the one i'm after mate!!

[YeOldeTrout]

Age 12+ can do park run without accompanying adult, around here.
Walk is cool, do what you enjoy.

[chutneypig]

My two do the adult parkrun as well. They have to be in arms reach because of their age, much to their disgust . Loads of people do a mix of running and walking, or walk it all. And the t shirts are a huge draw, ten runs for the juniors is a good goal.

[RufusTheReindeer]

I missed mrs comment re t shirts

Will look that up...nice to have an incentive