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Original poster

To take my three year old jogging with me

50 replies

RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:01

I need to lose weight and get fitter. I used to jog (I'm not a runner) but at the moment it's only me looking after my boy so I struggle to find time. Would I be unreasonable to take him with me?

The other crux of this is my son has ASC. He loves loves loves running. He'd hold my hand to go for certain and would find it highly entertaining. He is ridiculously energetic. He's only just fallen asleep now. I'm getting beyond fucked off with the sleeping situ. So I'm hoping the running would really tire him out. Then bath then bed. Hopefully he might settle. Is this reasonable?

I might add he is tired. He just won't go to sleep and it is slowly killing me.

OP posts:
Original poster
RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:37

@Cakeorchocolate thank you. I guess I wasn't sure if 3 was too young to go specifically for a run iyswim.

@FatGirlSwim I'm Portsmouth NHS Trust. I will ask for the referral

@Ebjp39 we would have a bath (him) shower (me) after. I'm glad you feel inspired. Good luck 🤞

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 02/07/2023 22:37

Give it a try. I used to walk/scoot with my now teen adhd child at age 3 about 6 miles a day as only way he slept

Thebirdhouse · 02/07/2023 22:38

I'd love it if he could ride a bike. It would make me so proud. But he does not understand how to do it. I've tried. My hope is he can one day. Thank you for the weblink. I'll check it out.

Have you tried a balance bike?

BeautifulSloth · 02/07/2023 22:38

RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:07

So my boy is non verbal. His special interest is running and he likes to do this whilst looking at the bushes etc. He would, however, get very excited about mummy running too. He often loves it when I run with him now and laughs away. It's actually a great way for him to interact with me rather than being in his own world all the time. It brings us both into our own little world for those moments.

That sounds beautiful!! Go for it.

wildfirewonder · 02/07/2023 22:38

I guess I wasn't sure if 3 was too young to go specifically for a run iyswim. I think it is - the distances recommended for children are extremely short.

Original poster
RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:39

@Appleblossompetal he can't use a bike unfortunately.

@wildfirewonder we do plenty of child appropriate activities. It isn't enough.

OP posts:
SayHi · 02/07/2023 22:40

Yes definitely!

When you can run for longer it may be better for him to ride his bike alongside you instead.

Crumpleton · 02/07/2023 22:41

Could you do interval running to start out with and see how it goes.

Sounds like your DC could cope quite well especially as it's not compulsory and you can build up the interval length of timings over the weeks.

BeautifulSloth · 02/07/2023 22:41

@wildfirewonder

No, because young children are not supposed to run in this continuous way, it is bad for their joints.

Genuine question have you got a link/research/evidence of that? As I've never heard of that before so would like to read about it.

Original poster
RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:43

He cannot ride a bike, trike, scooter, balance bike. He doesn't understand how they operate. I've tried to show him but as running is his special interest he just pushes them to one side and continues running. He gets very upset if I stop him.

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 02/07/2023 22:48

BeautifulSloth · 02/07/2023 22:41

@wildfirewonder

No, because young children are not supposed to run in this continuous way, it is bad for their joints.

Genuine question have you got a link/research/evidence of that? As I've never heard of that before so would like to read about it.

There could be no controlled trials because it would be unethical. But children do not run continuously naturally really, they play and weave, stop and start.

Running is pretty damaging for adults, and children are developing. Adults get fitted for very supportive shoes etc. These don't exist for children.

It would be a risk I wouldn't take with my child's joints.

I'm not saying they shouldn't run - of course they should - but an adult's jog is inappropriate for a child IMO.

Thebirdhouse · 02/07/2023 22:55

wildfirewonder · 02/07/2023 22:48

There could be no controlled trials because it would be unethical. But children do not run continuously naturally really, they play and weave, stop and start.

Running is pretty damaging for adults, and children are developing. Adults get fitted for very supportive shoes etc. These don't exist for children.

It would be a risk I wouldn't take with my child's joints.

I'm not saying they shouldn't run - of course they should - but an adult's jog is inappropriate for a child IMO.

Show quote history

This is correct. Young children are not supposed to run for a long time or at an inappropriate speed. It is not good for their bodies. Athletic clubs take children from approx seven but their training is primarily games led along with some short distance sprints.

SparkyBlue · 02/07/2023 22:56

Have you tried a trampoline. It's been a game changer for us. My son has asd and also runs constantly. I totally get the bike thing it's the exact same here

Original poster
RunRunSausage · 02/07/2023 22:57

@SparkyBlue I haven't but I will try. He can't jump yet. Again I've tried to show him but why jump when you can run 😉

OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 02/07/2023 23:02

I suggest you have a look at the Jeff Galloway method. Its a run walk method designed to get adults running distances with less fatigue as they run for a very short interval and then walk for up to 30 seconds. Switching between the 2 frequently uses different muscle movements to reduce fatigue. I've not seen/heard of anyone using it for children but with a very young child it must be kinder on their developing legs. Either get an interval timer or use a free app on your phone and perhaps put him in charge of reacting to the change pace beep Try say running for 1 - 2 minutes and then walking for 30 seconds and see how he enjoys that?

BCCoach · 02/07/2023 23:03

“Running is pretty damaging for adults”
Care to come up with some actual evidence for that?

wildfirewonder · 02/07/2023 23:06

BCCoach · 02/07/2023 23:03

“Running is pretty damaging for adults”
Care to come up with some actual evidence for that?

It is well known that many adults have issues as a result of running Confused

Every runner's website and magazine is full of articles about why, how to avoid, how to recover.

Plenty of people don't have these issues, and plenty do.

Ohmylovejune · 02/07/2023 23:06

Children shouldn't run like this. That's why fun runs are so short. A running coach will know the guidelines, which I don't remember, but I heard about them when I was a club member.

BCCoach · 02/07/2023 23:14

wildfirewonder · 02/07/2023 23:06

It is well known that many adults have issues as a result of running Confused

Every runner's website and magazine is full of articles about why, how to avoid, how to recover.

Plenty of people don't have these issues, and plenty do.

Show quote history

It is also well known that many adults have issues as a result of sitting on their arse watching TV and eating Pringles.

Running is NOT “pretty damaging”’to adults. Some runners will suffer injury at some point due to sheer bad luck (bloody roots…), overtraining, or poor form. Just like any other sport.

ManyATrueWord · 02/07/2023 23:20

Put the child in a buggy like the Out n About nipper and go for a run. Extra resistance right there!

wildfirewonder · 03/07/2023 06:56

BCCoach · 02/07/2023 23:14

It is also well known that many adults have issues as a result of sitting on their arse watching TV and eating Pringles.

Running is NOT “pretty damaging”’to adults. Some runners will suffer injury at some point due to sheer bad luck (bloody roots…), overtraining, or poor form. Just like any other sport.

Show quote history

You come across as though you have a chip on your shoulder about this. I'm not sure what Pringles have to do with anything, no one is advocating that.

My point is that as sports injuries are common amongst adult runners, it is obvious why it would be a bad idea with a developing 3yo, and I stand by that.

BeautifulSloth · 03/07/2023 11:05

@wildfirewonder

Running is pretty damaging for adults, and children are developing. That's nonsense.

Iwouldliketogotosweden · 03/07/2023 11:20

If you want to get any distance or time for you running then a running buggy might be the way to go? The out and about takes up to 22kg, I used it until my son was 3 for running and 4 for festivals. If you are Portsmouth area lakeside, south sea, lee and whiteley parkruns are mainly tarmac.
there’s a buggy running group on Facebook that might be helpful and people can advise on buggies for bigger kids.

brunettemic · 03/07/2023 11:41

I’d go to a park so you can do loops with him and invent games so he can run ahead a find a stick, or a big leaf, or run to the biggest bush, run to the slide etc. he’ll always be in view and it can be a bit more fun for him too rather round in circles. Sounds like it’ll be fun and good for you for getting out and doing it.

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