question about running?

Question

I am running to get fit, which excited my niece, and now she wanted to join me in the mornings. She is 16 years old. she wants to run 6 miles daily just like me. but i've heard that running too much isn't good for teens' bones. she is still 16 and well, still sorta growing. so i don't want her to develop any knee problems because running too much. but on the other hand, i don't know is that's true, because no matter what, exercise is always good for your body, right?
should her run 6 miles ???? please give me facts!!!

Answer 1

It will probably be pretty difficult for her to start at 6 miles, but if she can run it I don't think it will do any damage. She needs to pay attention to her body though and if she develops a lot of aches and pains she should back off. It will be more likely to be good for her though. Have fun--some of my best times were running while my daughter rode her bike with me.

Answer 2

Well personally I think thats fine, although if shes not an experienced runner to jump to 6 miles every day would probably be too much. But if she builds up to it it should be fine. I was running my first long distance by that age, 50-60 mile weekends, perhaps when I'm retired and looking back I may regret it, but I experienced no problems at the time or since. I know some youngsters are more predisposed to injury, and this does tend to grow out of them, so you'ld have to be careful.

WIth anyone going from 0-6 miles a day straight off is too much, so if she currently doesn't run then I wouldn't reccomend it, perhaps a couple of times a week with you at first, with plenty of time to rest in between. It is more important when your young and/or inexperienced to build up the mileage very slowly, giving plenty of rest.

And of course excercise is always good, by keeping yourself healthy and at a good weight you reduce your risk if heart attack etc. So you may increase your risk of arthritis in old age but you also increase the chance of getting there, bit of a trade off I guess. There is a middle ground though, be careful she doesn't train too hard too soon, and slowly builds up to running distance then it should be fine.

Its difficult not knowing how active she currently is to deffinantly say 6 miles is too far, if shes struggling thhough don't push it. If you could run say a 2 mile loop round her house, then do your next 4 miles that would be ideal, do that a couple of times a week at first, then build the distance up to runnign as far as you (6 miles). Then once shes running fine with you increase how regularly she comes with you.

Answer 3

There is not really any study that I am aware of on distance running in the teens. However, it is traditionally thought that excessive sport in young people make them more prone to injury.

Growth plates in young adolescent usually don't fuse until they are 16-18, and even then it may still be a bit brittle and more likely to be injured. We do know for a fact that injury in younger age predispose people to arthritis in later age.

My recommendation for young people is that adequate exercise is recommended, but not excessive exercise. Being a marathoner myself, I know how grueling it is to do distance running. I usually lot 7-9 miles every other day myself, and I would not recommend that to most people, especially to teenagers. Even 6 miles every other day may appear a bit excessive for most people. Usually I recommend no half marathon until at least after 18 and no marathon at least until 20. There is no formal recommendation by any agency that I know of, but it is something I personally believe, as a distance runner with medical background.

See whether your niece might have a special talent of running. If not, do less distance but keep her interest up.

Answer 4

Yes,
I run a 6-9 mile day during the cross country season and I am 13, We have 5 year olds who can do just as much as we do and have developed no problems. Let her run.

Answer 5

It should'nt damage her. I am 14 and i run about 10 miles a day im still one of the fastest in my school XC team and i have no knee or leg or bone problems. I would say its safe for her to do it.

Answer 6

I have been training for half marathons and longer since I was 14 or fifteen, so I can't imagine how it would be a problem. My only advice is to pay attention to the warning signs her body gives her and don't over do it when there is some concern.

Answer 7

Get her some good shoes... and then again in about 3 months... then again in about 3 months...
Seriously, bad footwear can cause a ton of problems.

Answer 8

No it won't hurt her, she may be soar but it won't hurt her in her future.