Why Warm-Ups Matter

Warm-ups are vital because kids’ races are typically short—9 to 20 minutes long—and the first few minutes often decide the outcome. A strong start is crucial, as falling behind early can make it nearly impossible to catch up, especially in short heats. Even with a solid warm-up, every child peaks at different times during the race. For example, my son tends to hit his stride 5–10 minutes in, but this will vary from child to child. Observing how your child responds to different warm-up routines will help you refine their preparation for future races. Whether it’s track sighting, roller sessions, or manual warm-ups, these routines are key to ensuring they start focused and ready to perform at their best.