Question. While this seems great -does it also concern anyone? Is there any evidence of age and racing - and biological impacts? I am very curious about racing and training distaces for youth sports is something that seems to be an X factor in the US.
I'd be happy to answer any questions I can, based on my experience and research and conversations with pediatricians and other experts. Send me a e-mail or message.
I don't think that, without knowing the athlete and her situation, any of us can give this performance a thumbs up or down. Obviously it is extremely fast for a 13 year old. If it is being done on reasonable training for a 13 year old (30mpw absolute max, with little to no speed work) then it is a cause for celebration. If it is a case of a young kid being pushed way too hard just to get some press, then it is too bad. Hopefully it is the former. I know a lot of people were dissing on Jordan Hasay when she ran very fast at 14, but where are the detractors now?
Even more than the mileage cap, I would say the training should pass this test: is she having fun? If she is enjoying it, then she is likely to continue. If the parents and/or coach suck all the fun out of it for her, by pushing or living vicariously through her success, then she won't want to keep running.
I remember a news story two summers ago (I think) about a little girl who started going to 5K's with her family, and she loved running so much that she kept moving up in distance. The parents and coach were very cautious with her progression, but she eventually ran a marathon, I believe. The idea of "how much is too much" has to be individual, for there are always exemplars among us that can do far more than the common person could.
When a young girl runs like that, we all seem to automatically worry about the growth issues. However, sometimes a kid comes up who is unaffected by these issues. I tend to agree with one of the last posts - I'm more interested in how she feels about running, is it fun to her and does anyone put too much pressure on her. Even if the puberty/growth issues appear, a kid who likes running may be able to push through those barriers. Occasionally I see a kid set the bar too high early, and just stress out over unreachable levels from that point. Hope she has fun always, and I'll also hope that she can be one to punch through the textbook barriers. Awesome pre-college time no matter how old/young she is.
According to the Charlotte observer the girl is putting in close to 55 miles a week. But both of her parents were CC and Distance runners at University of Mississippi. And they have told each that if one parent seems to be pushing to much they would need to back off. The girl also seems like she is enjoying running. I worry about the 55 miles but if she can handle it then she may be a force to reckon with a few years down the road. Here is the article www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/14/1311969/shes-....