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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not run in the mothers race at sports day!

175 replies

Generallyok · 30/06/2017 10:06

I'm dreading our children's sports day which is coming up next week. My kids desperately want me to run in the mothers race but the thought terrifies me! So many mothers at our school start the day in Lycra and a lot have personal trainers! So just really want to know if anyone else will be running in the mothers race and if not what's the best excuse.

OP posts:
GeorgeTheHamster · 30/06/2017 10:36

Do it, come near the back and tell your kids you tried your best but you aren't a very good runner. Set them a good example.

BarbarianMum · 30/06/2017 10:37

Do you tell your children it's not the winning that matters but the taking part? Then you need to run.

IceLollyInThePaddlingPool · 30/06/2017 10:37

Pillow under your jumper tell them you're 8 months along

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 30/06/2017 10:40

No worries pat

Grin
Ginandplatonic · 30/06/2017 10:40

Oh God I used to dread this too! Key is to find a friend you can run with and come last together. Or harden your heart against the sad pleading little eyes...

PinkCosmo · 30/06/2017 10:43

Why not do it!?

It shows your kids that you take part in something knowing you'll lose.

I always think I'm going to win though! And I never do. I don't disgrace myself mind you.

user1471545174 · 30/06/2017 10:45

YANBU OP. Hold your line.

Thesingingtoad · 30/06/2017 10:45

A mum who I knew enjoyed a smoke and a drink or three and a regular Maccy D habit flashed past like a streak of lightening to win the race.

...turns out her Dad and Granddad were feted professional sportsmen!

Just do it for a laugh and to show that winning is not everything!

mummymeister · 30/06/2017 10:46

I did it - always - despite the fact I am overweight and can only manage a brisk walk at the best of times. I did it to show all of my kids that you don't have to be good at something to enjoy it and that the taking part is more important than the winning. I also told them that someone needed to come last and as I didn't mind that it may as well be me to save some other woman the embarrassment.

after several years, our school brought in carrying a bean bag on your head and then potato and spoon racing. I was really rather good at that.

do it to show them its about the fun not the winning.

Ciderandskatesdontmix · 30/06/2017 10:47

Time a pregnancy just right and you'll get out of it for a few years. I'm due any day now so that got me out of this year and next year I won't be able to leave baby unattended so that's that sorted.

On another note I told dp that he needed to do the dads race...spectacular fall and he ate shit within 20 meters of setting off. I didn't laugh until I cried, I promise!

lozzylizzy · 30/06/2017 10:48

I remember the mums all falling over each other at the mum's race! It was hilarious to us kids! My dad won the dad's race and got a 'parker' pen

ThomasRichard · 30/06/2017 10:48

I'd do it for a laugh and to make the DC happy. I'm an absolutely rubbish runner but they're too little to care and would cheer me to win all the way.

However... their school has an entire sports week full of activities, none of which involve the children's parents, so it's all hypothetical.

OneGreyElephantBalancing · 30/06/2017 10:49

Just do it. IMO It's not about winning but having your child see your willingness to take part and cheerfully. My child loves it so I stick my own issues (I have many and many reasons not to do it) for 20seconds for her benefit.

Being all silly about it could make them feel similarly and not want to do it.

KatoPotato · 30/06/2017 10:50

'I've got physio this afternoon for my foot' or turn up in workwear and heels.

At our school last year one dad fell over and broke his collar bone and was off work for 3 months.

They are ripe for injury, sprinting from a standing start when most don't know their own centre of gravity, avoid!

Epipgab · 30/06/2017 10:51

Suggest to the school that next year, the parents should do a more entertaining race in place of an uber-competitive running race. Egg and spoon, three-legged, walking backwards?

ssd · 30/06/2017 10:52

plantar faschilitis

its all the rage now, you'll be inundated with pals the minute you mention it

GlitteryFluff · 30/06/2017 10:53

Or suggest a teacher race instead - if that isn't already a thing? Grin

Dibbles1967 · 30/06/2017 10:54

Always did it ad DS1's school. Won 2 years in a row. Banned from entering the third year Shock That was nearly 30 years ago.

Crap prizes, not worth it.

It's difficult when the DC's want you to do it, but bloody fabulous that they have such confidence!

Maybe strap your ankle up a few days beforehand???!!!

blackteasplease · 30/06/2017 10:55

Mad that they take it so seriously!

Ours is just a laugh!

youhavetobekidding · 30/06/2017 10:55

*Do it, come near the back and tell your kids you tried your best but you aren't a very good runner. Set them a good example.

This is good advice. If our children aren't great at Maths, do we encourage them to find an excuse not to do a Maths test? No, we encourage them to try anyway and do their best.

Neolara · 30/06/2017 10:55

Last year we had a parents relay race with bean bags and hoops. Was hilarious! Best parent's race every.

Dibbles1967 · 30/06/2017 10:56

plantar faschilitis

Do you have that with rice or pasta?!

confusedat23 · 30/06/2017 10:56

Why don't you just do it? It will be 30 seconds of Jogging to show your children that they do not have to be the best to take part in something...

I actually feel a bit sorry for all the kids who's mums wont spend 5 mins making a tit out of themselves to have fun with their kids on sports day!

(i know I am going to get roasted now)

BadgersBum · 30/06/2017 10:56

I'm overweight, riddled with painful arthritis and have a good 10 years on most of the mums at my DS's school. There is more chance of me running for POTUS than running in the mums' race. Why can't we have a times tables competition or something for the unfit geeks?

WhatHaveIFound · 30/06/2017 10:58

I did it once. Never again. It was the meanest spirited race of the whole day and a lot of mums were running with their eggs & spoons in seperate hand in a sprint for the finish Hmm. Not really setting a good example to the children.

All the years after that i offered to help out with organisation/results/photo taking/refreshment stall.