A free practical guide for parents of teenage girls in track and cross-country

Is my daughter running too much?

Most girls who leave endurance sport don't leave because they lack talent. They leave because training, growth, health, and life stopped fitting together, and nobody caught it early enough.

What's Inside

What's actually happening in her body between 13 and 16 — and why this age group is uniquely vulnerable
The specific warning signs to watch for at home: body, mood, and behavior
How to tell the difference between normal soreness and something worth acting on
What to say to her coach, including exact language that works
When to get professional help, and who to go to first

WHO IS IT FOR?

Parents of girls aged 13–16 in track and cross-country
Parents whose daughter has had a niggling injury that won't go away
Parents who sense something is off but don't know what to look for
Parents who want to support their daughter without overstepping

Your daughter doesn't have to push through it alone, and neither do you.

At Nordic Performance Lab, I care about more than performance on paper. I care about helping coaches build programmes where young athletes can develop, and stay, for the long term.

I'm a sports scientist, coach, lifelong athlete, and mom to three young athletes. I've seen what happens when girls are supported well in this sport, and what happens when the warning signs are missed. My work is grounded in helping coaches and parents create healthier, more sustainable paths in sport, especially for young people learning how to train hard without losing joy.

Marjaana Rakai, MSc

Coach, Athlete, Sport Scientist, Mom

Want to share a parent version of this guide? Share this link to the parents in your club.

DOWNLOAD your FREE guide

You’ll also receive occasional notes on youth endurance development, coaching culture, and Nordic Sisu. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.