14 year old girl

Question
hi ryan!
i really appreciate you taking the time to read this..
so i was wondering how often and how many miles a 14 year old girl should run in a week to keep fit. Im on the slender side and i play a lot of sports and i just wanted to keep fit for when i try out for my school's sports teams.
also, could you give me a few helpful tips on running such as how to pace yourself, breathing, and how to prevent side stitches.
thanks!


Answer
Brenda,

At your age, you should run for fun and not concentrate on times or distance. If you play other sports you are probably getting enough fitness as is. The body is very intelligent and will automatically adjust its breathing to your activity. Over time, it will make your breathing and oxygen consumption efficient. Avoid eating a few hours before running to avoid side stitches.