running query

banjobongo

I went for a small jog with my eldest child recently, she is 11 yrs old, and I noticed that when she ran her footstep landed very heavily, ie she did not run lightly. I would assume that this is not the correct/ideal way to run, that it wastes energy. I suggested to her that she try to run more lightly, but she could not do this. I dont have enough technical knowledge to analyse if this is a serious problem with her running, or even to know if this is indeed a problem.
Has anybody come accross this before?
For background, she is a member of an athletic club and trains with them twice a week.

RoyMcC

banjobongo wrote: »

I went for a small jog with my eldest child recently, she is 11 yrs old, and I noticed that when she ran her footstep landed very heavily, ie she did not run lightly. I would assume that this is not the correct/ideal way to run, that it wastes energy. I suggested to her that she try to run more lightly, but she could not do this. I dont have enough technical knowledge to analyse if this is a serious problem with her running, or even to know if this is indeed a problem.
Has anybody come accross this before?
For background, she is a member of an athletic club and trains with them twice a week.

I think you may be surprised how she will progress quite quickly if she enjoys her running and perseveres. Regular drills and track sessions with emphasis on 'good running habits', along with training alongside others, usually results in great improvements in a learner.

My advice would be to leave well alone, just encourage your daughter and don't keep pointing out her weaknesses - that will be counter-productive.

RJC

God, I'm a nerd! I went and looked this up -


page 54 of the Lore of running by Tim Noakes


He does a bit on the gait of children running -

It's all ok and normal from what you describe so let her at it and enjoy the freedom of it.


- I used to run as a kid of this age, hence my interest.

ss43

RJC wrote: »

God, I'm a nerd! I went and looked this up -

page 54 of the Lore of running by Tim Noakes

He does a bit on the gait of children running -

It's all ok and normal from what you describe so let her at it and enjoy the freedom of it.

- I used to run as a kid of this age, hence my interest.

It doesn't really give much info. Says that adults are more economical than children and that 10 year old boys didn't improve with instruction (the instruction could have been crap). 10 year old boys generally haven't reached puberty while many 11 year old girls could have so that's a big difference.

banjobongo wrote: »

I went for a small jog with my eldest child recently, she is 11 yrs old, and I noticed that when she ran her footstep landed very heavily, ie she did not run lightly. I would assume that this is not the correct/ideal way to run, that it wastes energy. I suggested to her that she try to run more lightly, but she could not do this. I dont have enough technical knowledge to analyse if this is a serious problem with her running, or even to know if this is indeed a problem.
Has anybody come accross this before?
For background, she is a member of an athletic club and trains with them twice a week.

If you don't have much knowledge in the area then you'd want to be very careful about giving her tips. Also, any change is going to be difficult to implement at first. Getting her to try take quicker steps might achieve a lighter step. She could be getting good technique coaching in her club already in which case you'd want to make sure you don't contradict anything she's learning there.