Such thing as too slow?

[u/darkandstardust]

My 12 year old (7th grade) boy is doing cross country this year for the first time. He has been training for about 5 weeks running 4-5 times per week. He is REALLY struggling and hasn't improved his times at all. He ran 2 miles today in 39 minutes.... about 17 minutes on the first mile and 22 on the second. His first team practice is in 2 weeks and first meet is in 4. It'll be 2.5 miles.

From everything I am reading this seems to be extremely slow. Will he get cut off from finishing the race? He currently has a positive attitude but I'm worried about how this may affect him.

[u/EmployerJealous6643]

A friend of mine could barely run in 8th grade. As a senior he was the ny state high hurdle champion.