With his expertise from 40 years writing about youth running and fitness, his experience as a parent of two runners, coaching a winning high school team for five seasons, and nationwide research with doctors, children’s event coordinators and others on the front lines—Marc Bloom has produced a complete work on kids and teen running for the benefit of all. YOUNG RUNNERS will guide all youngsters and their families, as well as teachers, coaches and health professionals, to help children of all ages enjoy running, avoid childhood obesity and gain a multitude of benefits for long-term health.

Read about the best ways to get each age group, from toddlers to teens, to enjoy running. See the events to enter and the miles to run. See how parents should guide their kids. See what coaches say about kids performing at their best. See how good nutrition—and good grades in school—go along with kids on the run. Read about a “healthy school” award winner in Virginia, a tough love youth track squad run by a pediatric cardiologist in North Carolina, an urban middle school team in Brooklyn, a web-based program in California in which youngsters are showing major health gains, and a remarkable autistic boy in Marc’s New Jersey community whose running has helped him tremendously. That and more in YOUNG RUNNERS…

As a bonus, see an entire chapter devoted to the specific running methods proposed by leading coaches in 14 sports other than running, so that you know how to run to excel in baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, field hockey, etc.

Contents

Preface Young Runners: The Rules
A quick-reference guide to healthy handling of young runners.

Introduction: The Kids’ Running Revolution
Children thrive as youth events and programs sweep the nation.

Chapter 1: Running With A Head Start
Out-running childhood obesity with a commitment to exercise and nutrition.

Chapter 2: Running With Smiles
Kids learn to start running and enjoy it a few strides at a time.

Chapter 3: Running With Young Racers
A popular children’s race series teaches fun and fitness for toddlers on up.

Chapter 4: Running With Healthy Schools
A model P.E. program in Virginia leads to personal bests of many kinds.

Chapter 5: Running With A Fast Pace
A youth club in North Carolina shows no mercy on or off the track.

Chapter 6: Running With “Practice Phobia”
Middle school runners conquer peer pressures at all speeds.

Chapter 7: Running With The Female Body
Adolescent growth has a big impact on girls’ distance running success.

Chapter 8: Running With The Male Ego
Giving boys an identity that nurtures running commitment.

Chapter 9: Running With Teen Dreams
In high school, smart training and teamwork produce the best results.

Chapter 10: Running With Danny
A special needs’ runner teaches others the power of surpassing limits.

Chapter 11: Running With All Sports
How to run for speed, strength and injury prevention in 14 other sports.

Appendix: Running With Events Nationwide
From Diaper Dashes to track and road racing, family fun and fitness galore.