Is it right to take an 8yo out jogging

[dayzeroexploit]

I don't know myself so I'd like some advice.

I'm 2st overweight and utterly unfit. I'd like to take up jogging as a start to getting into a fitness routine again. 10 years ago I used to be very fit and did ultrafit and climbing contests, rowing and cycling races and ran 10k and half marathons on a regular basis.

I did know a lot about the mechanics of adult fitness, from PNF to yoga and nutrition etc.

Over the last 10 years I've gone to seed.

Our 8yo DD is a smidge tubby (approx 3/4st over what she should be for her height) and doesn't get much in the way of PE at school.

I would like to get my DD to start running with me (she likes the idea), so as to start a habit for exercise for her, to help with weight control, for bonding purposes and selfishly, I think she can run better than I can.

I've had a look at the run and become website and can see junior running shoes in her size (in particular the Asics' brand which I liked a lot back in the day). Plus it says its built on a kids specific last with growth room (not sure if that is a marketing ploy or pukka).

I'd like it to be a fun thing for us with no pressure on her. I guess its possible as kids younger than her are doing gymnastics/ballet, other sports which put much more aggressive strain on joints etc. But I'm concerned that pounding the tarmac may not be right

Sure, she should be fine as long as she has the right shoes and you take it slowly. My 5yo comes with me sometimes for a short run before I got out on my proper one. There are always loads of children at my local parkrun they are loads faster than me.

I'd start with something like C25K so that you can ease in gently. There are loads of articles online (The Guardian has a few in their running blog) about running with children.

Why not start with the aim of doing the Sport Relief mile, and then working up to Race for Life? If you follow the C25k programme, then it does work up very gently.

Have a look to see if there's a Parkrun near you. My dh does them with dd1 (now 9 but had been doing them for about 2 years). Do they have a running club at school? dd1 is also on the cross country team.

damn thats weird how Race for life has come back to haunt me... I did the Ad Campaign in the mid 90's and DW is currently working on the Online Campaign...
Thanks all for your advice

Dd, just turning 9 is entering a 1.5km children's race in April, so I got some advice from a kids' athletics coach. Basically he said they can do the same sort of start program that an adult would do, like walk a minute then run a minute etc. he said try to do it on grass rather than road to protect her joints, and once she can run for 10mins without stopping then mix things up a bit with sprint sessions etc. good luck to you both!

Colour run is a great race for kids!

Can you run in grass for part of your run?

My son is 6 and has started running with me. He's only come out 4 or 5 times and can already do 3.5k. Irritating that's kids can get so good so quick! I'm delighted he wants to share an interest with me though, it's some lovely bonding time for the two of us, and the only time he gets with me without the three year old clamouring for attention too.