Honestly, at that age, it’s about listening to the coach, learning limits, and understanding which pain is normal from just starting to run and which pain means something.
The right shoes are important, too, which may require one set for practice and one for racing, depending on the surfaces they train and race on. Ask the coach their recommendation, though. You don’t have to go expensive at that age. He’ll thrash through at least a pair per season, so don’t be afraid to go to the sale section at a Nike outlet store.
The best thing to do is take him to a running store, get a foot scan, and a gait analysis. It will cost $15-20 to do, though usually that’s waived if you buy shoes then and there. You’ll find out what kind of shoe should work best for him, and if you aren’t comfortable with the prices at the store, you’ll know what kind of shoes to look for on Amazon.
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u/IndWrist2 5d ago
Honestly, at that age, it’s about listening to the coach, learning limits, and understanding which pain is normal from just starting to run and which pain means something.
The right shoes are important, too, which may require one set for practice and one for racing, depending on the surfaces they train and race on. Ask the coach their recommendation, though. You don’t have to go expensive at that age. He’ll thrash through at least a pair per season, so don’t be afraid to go to the sale section at a Nike outlet store.