Thread: Any Distance Runners Out There?

Today my 15 year old son made the high school track team. He has been pretty much designated a long distance runner. His school is a small charter school here in South Florida. They do not have an actual track. They do their running around a football field. His coach is young with some local credentials; seems like a nice guy.

Almost every activity, to date, that my son has been involved in, I've had prior experience. I trained him in many subjects, but running was only a part of my life in the military 30+ years ago & I had no choice in the matter. I want to provide him with the best options available, but I don't know where to start. I have stumbled through the web, the past week & I'm still lost.

I would be grateful for any input as to equipment, good forums of information, diet, where do runners hang out when not on the track, training & how to set goals for him.

Thank you,
John

John I did a bit of running back in the '70s and Runner's World magazine was a great resource then. Here is their website. I haven't looked at it in 30 + years but I suppose it is a good place to get info. I would suspect there would also be runner's forums but I don't know. My 74 year old neighbor runs every morning. I was talking to him the other day and, though he is from Quebec, he ran the Boston Marathon back in the '70s.

Thanks Jimmy, I just linked to the website. I will spend some time on there tonight.

Hiralu will he be running more track and field types of events or more cross country type stuff? I am no expert on running but I am not bad at it once properly motivated and actually running I enjoy it. I am currently still in the military so running whether I like to or not still happens on occasion. I would say finding good shoes that he likes and are suited for his foot type, running style, and the type of running he will be doing would help a lot. As Jimmy mentioned Runner's World is a good place to start they should have shoe buying guides and all kinds of beginners information.

I have enjoyed running for many many years on a recreational level.
I'll send you a few of the resources I have enjoyed over the years in my training.
Mostly I do Marathon and long distance training and events.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Thanks Jimmy, I just linked to the website. I will spend some time on there tonight.

I know a few runners. I even talked one into doing this,(see link). I don't run, but I thought this would be cool. I see there's one coming up in S.Florida in April!!

5K Obstacle Course Zombie Race - Run For Your Lives

Originally Posted by dustoff003

Hiralu will he be running more track and field types of events or more cross country type stuff? I am no expert on running but I am not bad at it once properly motivated and actually running I enjoy it. I am currently still in the military so running whether I like to or not still happens on occasion. I would say finding good shoes that he likes and are suited for his foot type, running style, and the type of running he will be doing would help a lot. As Jimmy mentioned Runner's World is a good place to start they should have shoe buying guides and all kinds of beginners information.

Ed,
it seems for now, track , probably 1600 & 3200 meters.

Originally Posted by Birnando

I have enjoyed running for many many years on a recreational level.
I'll send you a few of the resources I have enjoyed over the years in my training.
Mostly I do Marathon and long distance training and events.

I would like that Birnando; I think that a whole new world is about to open up for my son.

Originally Posted by donv

5K Obstacle Course Zombie Race - Run For Your Lives

I just linked it Don, will check it out after the game tonight.

I've run a few marathons but I am now more of a triathlete. These are some of the websites that I find helpful in my training.
Running Times Magazine | Runner's World & Running Times
Hal Higdon Training Programs
Runner
Science of Running
Crossfit Endurance

There are tons of opinions on running shoes. I suggest finding a local running store that will watch your son run, figure out whether he pronates, supinates or is a neutral runner and then suggest appropriate running shoes. I'm in NYC and most of the running shops will watch you on a treadmill and some will videotape you so they can show you what you are doing. Depending on how long/ how far he is running he will want to stay away from cotton and use something like Nike Pro dri fit, C9 by champion, Under armor or anything that wicks. I'd also recommend Bodyglide. It's great for chafing and blisters.

Good luck to him.