The cross country is fast approaching – Thursday the 22nd of March. The is an expectation of participation from all students from year 3 – 6. Here are some ways that you can support your child in the lead up to the event.
- If you can, head down to Princes Park for a run. It is a 2km distance for ages 8,9 and 10 and 3km for 11 and 12+.
- If they are happy to do some training, go for a run with them, or get them running with friends. Try to get them to run slowly with you. Most kids will take off at the rate of knots and be puffed out after a couple of hundred metres. You don’t want this to happen on the day of the event.
- Get them racing against you or against their brothers and sisters, or friends. Remind them to slow down at the start so they have enough puff left at the end.
- Whilst your child will feel great about themselves if they run the whole distance without stopping, try not to let them get so worked up about the event that they see themselves as a failure if they don’t make the distance.
- Prepare them for what to do if they do feel too puffed to continue. Walking for even 20 metres can be just enough time to recover and pick up to a jogging pace again. Make sure they know this is ok.
Some kids take naturally to distance running. If your child is one of those, here are some tips to foster their love of running.
- Go in fun runs with them
- Time them doing laps around the local oval
- Let them decide how much running they want to do. Don’t force them to train if they don’t want to, but do use gentle reminders and encouragement.
- Practice cross country racing, even if in an informal setting.
- Do some running with them, or organise for them to train with friends
- Encourage your child not to be too outcome focused. Placing well in a cross country race is awesome, and your child should be proud of themselves. Remember to acknowledge the effort as well as the achievement though.
I am looking forward to experiencing my first Princes Hill event.
Maddy