Running as punishment?

So last night at a board meeting for Girls on the Run we talked about how great running is. And we all wondered and scoffed at coaches who make their athletes run as punishment. I mean really, how is running laps and hating every minute of it going to to make a young athlete enjoy fitness for life?

Running should be enjoyable and a fun part of practices. After all, running increases fitness which will increase an athlete's aptitude and skill in the sports arena. Instead, I move that punishment should be sitting on the bench, not getting to participate. Maybe then the kids would quit jackin' around and focus on the drills and activities coaches spend time planning to develop their young athletes into the studs all want to be!