92nd place, need some running tips

TeresaSuperMama · #1 September 11th, 2006, 05:21 AM

My ds is doing cross country and he is not doing so well at it. I am actually a little aggrivated with him. He signed up for it, but now I have to nag him to go run other than at practice. He runs really hard the first lap, too fast to keep up with that pace. He will be ahead of everyone and then he will start walking because he can't keep up. Any tips on helping him learn to keep a better pace?

Teresa

*Valerie* · #2 September 11th, 2006, 07:21 AM

CC is very tough because learning how to pace yourself is hard. First of all--how much are they running at practice? If they are running a good bit, he may not need to run outside of practice (I ran CC in high school and I always needed my weekends to recover bc we ran 3-11 miles each day). Here are my tips:
1) Buddy up--find another runner who he can keep up with that won't be too fast, but will challenge him and start the race with him--they don't have to finish together.
2) Tell him to run with the pack in the beginning--getting a big lead won't matter if you drop off quickly.
3) Get the coach to help him with a pace time--set goals in practice for the first lap and each split and he will get a feel for what he needs to be running.

BTW--how far is the race--3 miles???
Good luck!

TeresaSuperMama · #3 September 11th, 2006, 10:10 AM

Since he is middle school, it is is only 2 miles. He is running about 3 or 4 miles at his practices. He goes to two practices a week and he is not running the whole time. He is still walking a good bit of it. I am thinking of getting a treadmill. Do you think that'd help?

Teresa

*Valerie* · #4 September 11th, 2006, 11:41 AM

Yes and No--It would help because he could run anytime he wanted rather than being stuck if the weather is bad. No, because it just isn't the same as the terrain of CC--he would have to use the incline feature to train for hills. It's hard in the beginning to get used to the amount of running--he'll get there!

TeresaSuperMama · #5 September 11th, 2006, 01:57 PM

Thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. He went out there and ran. I think I need to map out a longer course for him around our neighborhood. I think that's part of the problem. I wish I could start running again too. It's just hard with my kids finding someone to watch them so I can and I am not running with 6 kids in tow.

Teresa