I want to run, but my parents won't let me?

Question

I live in southern California, in a very nice neighborhood. I've only ever heard of one problem around the neighborhood (some random guy who skipped bail), but otherwise nothing has /ever/ happened here.

So I want to go running around, up to my school, down to the store, etc, to train for track and simply for fun, but my parents won't let me. Even before the random incident I mentioned...somehow they've got it in their heads that I'll get kidnapped or something. I'm an only child and a 9th grade girl, but all my friends run and I want fresh air and interesting sights, not the treadmill my parents keep offering to buy me instead.

How can I convince them to let me run on my own?

Answer 1

Your parents sound like mine (but I'm 38)! What can I say, parents love their daughters, no matter how old.

I'm in Southern CA also.

Tell them that you will run with a group. Check www.NikeRunning for the training runs, or Niketown (Wilshire, The Grove, etc.) for the club runs, which are once a week.

Your parents can come on the training runs (they have them M-Th in the evening, and Saturdays at 8am) and they have levels for walkers and runners, from 1-5 miles.

When my folks came to visit, I took them on a Saturday run and they enjoyed it (they did a 3 mile walk).

Also, out of your friends who run, see if you can get a group together to run a few times a week. It would be even better if a parent came out to join you.

Finally, check the running stores to see if they have groups in your age range who run.

Good for you for not wanting a treadmill. It's much more fun outdoors.

Answer 2

The reality of the situation is that you are vulnerable to attack. I think you should be able to run outside, but you have to take some precautions first.

I would suggest running in a group first off. That greatly reduces your risk of being attacked, because most attackers are crazy people, and crazy people don't have friends.

If you go alone for whatever reason, bring your cell phone. I always run with mine when I'm by myself incase I twist my ankle or something. You never know what could happen and being able to contact someone right away is very handy.

Carry mace, or some other deterent, that should help you buy time if something would happen and hopefully allow you to get help.

Run in public areas if possible, so people could see if something happens to you.

Always mix up your routes. Don't get into a set schedule of running at the same place during the same time on the same day every week. Creepy people watch these things and a routine can allow them to carefully plan an attack. Going running with a random schedule can help keep you safe

Don't run when its dark out. It's harder to see, so creepy people like that.

Run in the morning if possible. I remember reading in Runner's World I think that a survey showed that the people most likely to attack a runner usually sleep in. So during the summer if you could run around 8 or 9 that would be great because lots of people would be around and it would be bright out and creepy people are still sleeping.

I hope this helps, and I hope you are allowed to run. But, you have to listen to your parents. They are just concerned about you, and although you may not appreciate it now, you will in the long run (and this isn't coming from some adult, I'm only 18). Good luck, stay safe, happy running.

Answer 3

As a the parents of a 9th grade girl, they do have a right to be worried; I know mine worried a lot when I began running, and I also live in a very safe neighborhood. If all your friends run, why not run with them? It's always better to run in a group when you're younger anyway,since it provides more motivation to keep going. It's also a good opportunity to talk; if you're going at a steady pace that's not too fast or too slow, you can save on phone bills and talk while you run. :) Also, run with a cell phone, and have specific routes you'll take, and always tell your parents what route you'll take; I know that when my parents knew where I was going, they were a little bit more open to the idea.

If they still won't let you, get your coach to talk to them. And if that still doesn't convince them (one of the above suggestions should do it)...I don't know what else to try, since those are all standard high school running excuses that justify running. Good luck with track!

Answer 4

First, you have to love on your parents for loving you enough to say no to a situation they feel could be harmful to you. So you have to be smart enough to convince them you have figured out all the problems and solutions so that you can safely run.

Also there is a fact somewhere that more people die of heart attacks than are kidnapped or raped. So try to include logic and information so your parents can agree with you. And what about the walking your have to do already ??? What do they say about that??

In no way do I provide this for the purpose of circumventing your parents's authority, but rather as a guide for you to research and provide facts so that your parents can have the benefit of comparing the risks versus the benefits.

Suggested Plan: Never shout, be impatient or emotional when discussing with your parents. Just declare your thoughts and evidence.

Plan running times and places with your friends in advance. Get agreements so that your parents can verify this stuff. Then make sure you understand your parents' objections.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Well, first off, you live in So Cal so there is no fresh air. Second, tell your parents, life happens and while you can be aware you never can be fully prepared. We all take chances and the only way to live is lessen the chance of adverse effects.Try to negotiate with them a specific route and time schedule ( so they know exactly where you are and when you'll be there. And if they agree NEVER EVER deviate from your agreement). Also, purchase a smaller cellphone to keep with you, wear a running pouch to attach to your shoe that contains your ID and the best of all, tell your parents you'll get a running partner!

Hope it works out.

Answer 6

See if you can find some middle ground with your parents. Give them the opportunity to map you out a place where you can run that they would feel comfortable with. Then try to set a time, during daylight hours that you have to run. Make it something short to start out, like 30 minutes and show them you can be responsible (and safe) by staying out within the time limit.

If worse comes to worse and they still won't let you go out and run by yourself, see if they would be willing to drive along as you run. Or if either one of them run, see if they'll run with you. That way you're still outside and they can still watch out for you. It's always better to train with someone anyway because they can push you harder.

You can also look and see about running groups in your area. They have a few here in Louisville that way you're with fellow runners and they all look out for each other. If you don't, see if you can't find a group of friends that your parents trust you to run with, to run with you as a group. Chances of something happening to you when you're running with a decent group of people is slim to none.

It's possible after getting your parents to go out with you or going with a group that your parents will realize they can't control everything that happens. The worst that can happen is they'll say no and you're stuck with the treadmill.

Answer 7

I can understand your parents concerns about you, but I can also understand your frustrations, too. Why don't you get a group of other people in the area that would like to go for a run at the same time you do and then you wouldn't be alone to make your parents worry so much and like they say there is safety in numbers. At least 6 people, and bring them home to meet Mum and Dad and then they should be more at ease about it all.

Answer 8

If it's really about running, ask them to run with you.

Or tell them that you can carry mace or something for protection.

Or tell them the specific location that you'll be at, and make sure you're there, so they can find you if they need you.

Or take a family outing to a forest preserve and run the trails while they are there.

Here are just a few things you can do.

Answer 9

See if they can help you find a running group safety in numbers. A cell phone is also good for safety.
I walk early morning and day light hours in queensland but when it hot or dark excerise inside.
your parents will alway worry about you because they love you

Answer 10

Do what my dad did and have them buy pepper spray/ a key chain alarm when you go running. That way, when you go running and someone attacks you, can spray them or pull the alarm.