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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

ThomasRichard · 30/06/2017 13:26

How do so many people manage to break bones by attempting to run forwards in a straight line?!

jennielou75 · 30/06/2017 13:31

Dads race all running like thunder. One failed to stop and just kept going straight into newly planted tree at the end of the field (about 200 metres away)! Broke tree and leg, sued school.
Mums race mum is tripped and goes face first down, broken jaw, child in tears and ambulance called.
I actually hate them!

pigletpie29 · 30/06/2017 13:37

My mum used to be in the Liverpool Harriers. She always bloody won. Believe me - that was more embarrassing .

PacificDogwod · 30/06/2017 13:59

I appreciate those saying it's the taking part that matters and it's good for children to see that in their parents. But I also think it's a valuable lesson for them to see you can say no to things you really don't want to do. That you shouldnt feel pressured.

I totally agree with that.

Which is why IMO if you don't want to do it, don't.
if you DO do it, have fun and don't take it too seriously. Me never having taken it seriously does not prevent me from running as fast as my weak bladder will let me btw - I am not entirely without competitive streak

happyfanjosephine · 30/06/2017 14:12

I've avoided it but feel bad my boys think I'd win they are delusional.

I know a friend who was at school with beckhams kids most dads were clever enough to take photos rather than take part but he was so competitive he joined in. Becks son of course but my 50 yr old balding ow mate came second bright red utter determination as beckham strolled in he nearly killed himself! Was funny though. Good for him.

Sorry no help I've just said no so far and missed this yr but thinking I need to set a good example next yr. hubby did pretty well considering he does no exercise but has form for finding sport easy.

noeffingidea · 30/06/2017 14:23

I would just say no. I'm not there to pander to my kids. The fact I turned up to watch and support them was enough as far as I'm concerned.

CrowyMcCrowFace · 30/06/2017 14:29

Heh, try also being a teacher at your kids' school for maximum shame.

This year I wheezed in to ironic cheers second to last. Last was the Deputy Head.

I did point out to her, as she did my performance appraisal the following week, that she couldn't actually not green tick everything as it would look awfully like sour grapes...

CigarsofthePharoahs · 30/06/2017 14:43

My sons school doesn't have a mums race, thank goodness.
The main reason my athsma is under such good control is that Mummy Doesn't Do Running.
I've done enough sports days as a child, no way will I be doing any as an adult.

HelenaJustina · 30/06/2017 14:48

I like to burden myself with a toddler/baby in my arms if forced to take part so I look like it's all about the DC and 'aren't we all having fun' and there is no expectation, though of course in my head 'if I didn't have this awfully clingy child, I would have won!'

onlyslightlyinterested · 30/06/2017 16:24

Style it out. Run like a nymph, twirling and waving at the crowd. Worked for me

Flumpernickel · 30/06/2017 16:36

Just. Say. NO.

motherinferior · 30/06/2017 16:45

There is absolutely no way I would ever have done this.

questsabelletreetop · 30/06/2017 16:48

We just had sports day. I went to the toilet when it was time for the Mother's Day race

DH did the Father's Day race.

Clalpolly · 30/06/2017 16:49

No Lycra or any of that competitive nonsense at ours. I have MS - I'm intermittently speedy and twice the age of most of the others. We have a relay race there are so many willing runners. Just for the hell of it.
And it means the teachers can't back out of theirs.
It's a laugh.

DeleteOrDecay · 30/06/2017 16:53

Oh Jesus, I hope this isn't a thing at my dc's school.

DistortedPerceptions · 30/06/2017 16:56

We just get asked to do the egg and spoon race now after too many injuries occured one year. This year it was held indoors due to bad weather and no parents could attend, crying shame not really.

LAlady · 30/06/2017 16:56

I stopped doing these after the races became very competitive. In fact one mum ended up in hospital with a broken ankle. Another time a dad smashed his face on the running track and lost a tooth. Not my idea of fun.

TinyTumble · 30/06/2017 16:58

No one was wearing Lycra at ours - and all the game mums were up for it. TBH it was just a fun obstacle course. I was so desperate to do it but I'm 7 weeks post-abdominal surgery and I'm not allowed to sprint or run fast yet. Mums of all ages, shapes and sizes - and wardrobes - took part shrieking with laughter.
The Dads' race OTOH - well, they were moving the assembled children back away from the track in preparation. Jeez.

Nicknacky · 30/06/2017 17:03

I love the mums race. I came a very close second this year wearing a playsuit and no shoes. The mum that won had been a professional runner lol

Laiste · 30/06/2017 17:20

Those who are now worrying about their first school sports day - I've always managed to avoid the mum's race with zero effort. Not every mum runs and there's no pressure except for what you might put on yourself.

(I did used to have to run alongside the horses when DDs were first learning to ride. That was bad enough, but at least you have a big thing to pull you along hang on to! Worst moment there was when i had to run alongside DD3 round a little jump course because she suddenly got the jitters. Thought i was going to have a heart attack! Got right round but at the very last jump pony and DD went over and i fell over it face down I did get a round of applause and a rosette of my own )

Walkingthedog46 · 30/06/2017 17:24

I used to say I couldn't run because I had a bone in my leg!!

IllBeAtTheBarIfYouNeedMe · 30/06/2017 17:32

I'd always avoided them until today. I was never made to feel guilty or arkward about it.

It was the last primary school sports day for us today as the youngest dc is in year 6. His lovely TA knows I'm training for a marathon so roped me in this year. Ds's face just lit up as I limbered up on the start line. I didn't win but I didn't lose. It was worth it for the look on ds's face alone and I'm most glad that I managed to grab my leggings before they slid completely off my hips!

It was 20 seconds that made my ds happy

daisypond · 30/06/2017 17:47

This is the first I've heard of a mothers' race, There were no races for parents at my DC primary school sports day - inner London state school. I don't know of any similar schools that ever had races for parents, either.

Angelicinnocent · 30/06/2017 18:11

My DC school always did silly races for the parents. Space hoppers, carrying a cup of water, hopping etc. They had to change it each year though to stop parents practicing!

Ladymadness · 30/06/2017 19:20

I couldn't run to save my life so nope lol i would most likely break a leg

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