Newbie supporting another runner

[1234qwerty]

Hello.

I did W4 R1 yesterday and it felt really good. My motivation. Is my daughter, who’s just turned 11, wanted to do it but she’s a really struggle to support. When she’s not running she loves the fact that we’re doing this but when we get ready and actually run, her mind flips and she hates it. We’ve had tears and tantrums. At times I’ve actually given her the house key and told her she can go if she wants to. She never does give up and I’m so proud of her because her fitness level before hand was not good. Does anyone have any tips for supporting her?

[JaoJao]

Hey there, be patient with her xx

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate]

I’ll wait for the more experienced to say whether she should get to the full 30 etc, but first of well done her! My 17 year old won’t even pop by the park run to WATCH! great habit to watch.

I’d get someone else (not you) to make sure she is enjoying it, but to be honest even now when I go for a run, I don’t actually love it ..it is still hard but I love completing it.

Could it be she needs to go back to previous weeks ? Repeat them ( I did a few ) if she does just go somewhere like a track or park where you can keep running and she can do more walking if previous weeks. I must say I found 3/4 very hard ! Well done both of you, you must have s lovely bond x

[1234qwerty Graduate in reply to Runfatgirlrun71]

We have decided to do each week twice which I think has helped. Also, handily, the run which had tears ended near a chip shop. That helped a lot too lol. We won’t do that every run though!

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate in reply to 1234qwerty]

Brilliant idea. I did a few twice! Chip shop the best idea yet ;).

[Comfortnotspeed]

Sounds like a lovely chance to do something together. Go slow- your out and about sharing. I’m not an experienced runner but with 5 kids I know the chance to share doesn’t last for ever. Well done!!

[Bookbizlady Graduate]

She's probably just expressing what we all feel but as a kid you can let it out! Maybe get her to choose the route and take a bit of the responsibility? But she's keeping on going despite the tears so she's obviously not giving up! Make sure she knows you're proud 😀

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I think it's great you're doing it together. I think it's good you're giving her the choice to opt out when she's being less than enthusiastic but without stopping you too.

Is there a junior parkrun in your area? She might benefit from running with other kids too.

Maybe plan a special event for after graduation together, nails or a pedicure or something.

I am sure she'll be getting the benefits by now but changing the mindset is never easy. Nothing in life worth achieving is easy as she'll need to find out. 👍😉

You're setting a great example. I'm with you 😁

[1234qwerty Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

The event after graduation is a brilliant idea. She’d love a make over at the department store!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to 1234qwerty]

Perfect and you could print her certificate in advance and present it to her at the makeover for surprise pics! 😉👍

[2718281 Graduate]

When I was younger (not only as a kid/teenager) I used to complain over things I didn't like as a way to hide my insecurities (it's something like if I complain and fail it gives me a excuse for failing), it wasn't conscious, it took me a lot of self awareness to realise what I was doing. This is only a theory of course, we are all different and I'm no expert, but if it's a coping mechanism, while it's good that you highlight the successes and encourage the "there is no fail run, except the run you don't try" concept, you probably will need a lot of patience as she will need time to build her selfconfidence