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Original poster

do you think DD aged 7 will be ok running on roads unaccompanied

197 replies

boneyjonesy · 16/07/2012 09:44

DD who is 7 wants to take part in a Fun run next weekend.We have been round the course her on feet me on bike and it is 2.25 miles (3.6Km) and run entirely on hilly bendy country roads which will be open.Now the first thing is that there is no way I am doing it and DH is busy with another DC that day.
There will be marshalls on the route particularly on junctions, but obviously not everywhere, and probably about 40 kids doing it altogether some with parents.The thing that worries me is that the roads are open and there is no verge or footpath and in parts visibility is reduced because of bends and hills although the road is quite wide (wide enough for 2 cars to pass) and on a sunday afternoon should be fairly quiet Do you think she will be ok doing it unaccompanied?

OP posts:
annh · 16/07/2012 10:51

OP, I don't really know why you started this thread because you are absolutely determined that you are not doing this run with her, while being simultaneously determined to ask other parents to keep an eye on your daughter. If I was a parent doing this run, I would be seriously unimpressed at being asked to look out for a random child on a fun run when I was there to keep any eye on my own child/ren. It's one thing to cajole/run like hell to keep up with your own child, completely different to have to keep pace with someone's else child at the same time. You know that the more people you ask to look out for your daughter, the more everyone will think that someone else will pick her up if she falls?

ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 10:52

BTW I'm agreeing with you that she shouldn't do it alone on roads. All I'm saying is that those who are saying "oh just get on and run it" are being unrealistic for someone who doesn't run

Dunno what my PB is for 3km - for 5km it's 26 minutes pathetically slow

Lucyellensmum99 · 16/07/2012 10:54

"Nit and Lucy if you've done any running, then you know that a hilly 2+ miles is not just a "oh get on with it you lazy mare" proposition - if you're going to run all the way that isNit and Lucy if you've done any running, then you know that a hilly 2+ miles is not just a "oh get on with it you lazy mare" proposition - if you're going to run all the way that is"

But she has been "Training" for the run with her dd (except she has been on her bike) so im assuming she has known about it for a while - so its not just a case of get on with it you lazy mare - you train!!

But the OP can't be arsed, its really that simple, because she doesn't give a fuck - she said so herself

MonkeysNuts · 16/07/2012 10:56

If you can't run 2.5 miles then perhaps you should do a little training. Fit for life, good idea.

Lucyellensmum99 · 16/07/2012 10:57

26 min for a 5k is not pathetically slow dear - thats quite good so you don't have to be stealh about your boasting.

The whole point is that she could have trained with her DD, but she chose not to was too lazy

ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 10:57

She hasn't been training. She cycled the route once if I read her correctly. That's not training!

I agree, if she'd trained she should run it with her DD. But she hasn't.

In which case, I don't think I'd be happy with my 7yo running on open roads without supervision.

I think we're on the same page Lucy!

WorraLiberty · 16/07/2012 10:59

So all these parents who you are going to ask to keep an eye on your DD....

What does 'keeping an eye on her' actually mean to you OP?

Should they and their kids stop running if your DD gets cramp or falls over and actually take care of her for you while waiting for a Marshall to arrive?

ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 10:59

I feel very slow! I look slow! I wasn't boasting - I was showing that I'm just a jogger, not a club runner or Olympic athlete

Lucyellensmum99 · 16/07/2012 10:59

Then she should have trained then shoudlnt she. Its really isn#t that far - my point being, if i can do it and im a heffer then the OP with a sname of bonsey really shoudlnt have a problem with it.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2012 11:01

To be honest, I think I am at the very least on an adjacent page, Pig and lucy...

My 5k was quite a bit over 30 mins, so am not coming at this from any sort of 'oh anyone can run' position - and my daughter beat me! Still think it's not a good idea for a 7 year old to do this and not fair on other adults there.

bejeezus · 16/07/2012 11:02

mrsDV well done! Thats a respectable time huh?

GrimmaTheNome · 16/07/2012 11:04

I woudlnt want to run this straight out but the op has been cycling the route with her dd, would have been just as easy to run it, especially if its hilly!

cycling a couple of miles - piece of piss for most people. Running it - for some it is completely impossible. I started 'running a couple of weeks ago - last week taken out by business trip but I'm up to jog (not fast) for a couple of mins, walk a min - on the flat. Nowhere near good enough to keep up with a fit child, whereas cycling would be a total non-issue.

The child won't have been 'training' - she'l have been running about being a kid and she's run the course with mother on a bike once.

If I was the OP I'd ask if I could cycle beside my kid. Given the roads are open (the reason why she's worried in the first place) I don't see why she can't anyway but it would be polite to ask.

TheEternalOptimist · 16/07/2012 11:06

LEM
running and cycling are VERY different. I can cycle for miles but my knees and hips ache when I run even short distances.

And you are all massively missing the point.

The OP is not asking if she is BU to not run with her DD because she knows that she is unable to do this. There is no point telling her she should be doing this, she won't.

She is asking if she is BU to let her DD run alone. And she is.

No one has said that allowing a 7yo to do this run is reasonable, even those expressing sympathy for her not wanting to run with her DD.

ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 11:06

Lucyellen - yes she should have trained, but she hasn't. So that's a bit of a pointless argument isn't it?

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2012 11:09

To be honest, yes, I can cycle without really noticing distances I would really really feel if I ran them!

However. It is unreasonable to say 'there's no way I will do this', and not even consider run/jog/walk. It is unreasonable to expect other adults to look out for the dd. And it is unreasonable to think that she'll be fine on this run alone. So whether it would be reasonable to expect OP to make the effort to go along or not, she is still BU by the terms of the very first post.

Original poster
boneyjonesy · 16/07/2012 11:10

exactly annh that is what I have been saying unless DD is the same pace as their own DC it isn't going to work.That is why I have already rejectedthat idea

The consensus here seems to be that it is a bit risky for her doing it alone.I think the best thing I can do is speak to the organisers and tell them my worries re the traffic and see what they say.They must have done a risk assessment

OP posts:
OneHandFlapping · 16/07/2012 11:10

I could run a 2.5 hilly miles now, because I run regularly. I certainly couldn't when I started, 2 years ago.

I'm not sure why the OP is getting a pasting for not being able to run that far. IME, most middle aged adults can't. (I know - assumption about OP's age).

I also wouldn't worry about my DCs scrubbing a knee. If the parent isn't there with tea and sympathy, then they usually get up and carry on.

However, I do think there are options:

  1. Walk/run - as other have said the pace is not going to be fast
  2. Cycle alongside
  3. Swap duties with DH

It's great that you're encouraging her to have a go at something challenging and sporty. Oh, and running is great for losing excess weight too, if you are tempted to have a go.

bejeezus · 16/07/2012 11:12

really confused as to why you asked us bonsey? Confused

annh · 16/07/2012 11:12

So OP, ARE you going to cycle with your daughter - given that
a) everyone is in agreement that she is too young to do this on her own
b) you know that you CAN cycle this distance, although not run it
c) the roads are open so there is no way to prevent you from cycling?

or are you
d) still insisting on leaving her to run alone while hoping that anyone/everyone else will look out for her?

Lucyellensmum99 · 16/07/2012 11:13

Well i just see it as this - she was too lazy to train with her DD in the first place, im asuming she has known about the run for some time.

(yes i know about the bike being easier, i cycle eerywhere as i dont drive - running is harder, id have to train!)

Doesn't care if she falls over and grazes her knee (she said this not me)

So i think she is lazy and unreasonable

Dropdeadfred · 16/07/2012 11:14

No the best thing you can do is jog/walk/stagger around with her!

eurochick · 16/07/2012 11:15

Won't the roads be closed for the duration of the run so there will be no traffic risk?

And if not, why can't you cycle the course?

MonkeysNuts · 16/07/2012 11:16

Oh FFS, she is not 'unable' to do it, she is just too lazy to train. That's fine, but not when she comes on here whining about it.

annh · 16/07/2012 11:16

Eurochick, the OP has said that the roads will be open (and rural, and hilly, and with no footpath or verge at points!)

ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 11:17

I agree bejeezuz. Why the hell ask us if you are going to just ignore what 99% of people have said ie either run / cycle with her or she can't do it alone on open roads Confused

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