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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take part in the mother's race at sports day?

145 replies

nanbread · 02/07/2019 19:46

My 6 year old has asked if I will take part in the mums race, he's very keen that I do. I want to model giving things a go and trying my best even if I'm not the best, as it's something that he struggles with, I also want to encourage him to be more sporty and active.

The problem is I am deeply unfit, I've only run for the bus in the last 20 years, and will probably come last. I don't really want to humiliate myself in front of the entire school year...

WWYD / AIBU?

OP posts:
nicecuppaforme · 02/07/2019 20:13

Um, you have a sick note. I'll write it myself. . .

Obviously I know I can't do it. I just don't want DS being disappointed by it.

sacope · 02/07/2019 20:13

I think he will be more humiliated if you dont do it and all the other mums do.

I just checked our primary school roll on the local council website. It's around 400. There is no way 400 mums will be running.

ragged · 02/07/2019 20:13

I did it once... I thought I might do ok.

I came 2nd last!
So that got me out of future efforts.
But glad I had a go.
Many kids have to participate knowing they'll be last/near last.
Good to show that adults can be cheerful about having a go, anyway.

Iamthewombat · 02/07/2019 20:13

Do it and make a joke of it. I ran in the parents’ race when my nephew, aged 6, begged me to do it - praying hands, sad face, the lot! - and even though I didn’t win, the excitement on his little face made it worthwhile.

Sirzy · 02/07/2019 20:15

As he has specifically asked you too then I would

LL83 · 02/07/2019 20:18

The better person would run the race but I would avoid if i possibly could.

On the morning I would say I have hurt my ankle, I am hoping to still join in but not sure. I will do my best. Then decide based on how many others join in.

At our school there is one mums race for whole school and maybe 3 out of 40 children in year group joined in.

MoobaaMoobaa · 02/07/2019 20:19

nope I never did, there was only ever a handful of mum's who took part, but they were all good friends.

The dad's race was the opposite it was packed, them all jostling to get closest to the start line, you could almost smell the testosterone. there was all ways stray hands grabbing shirts as they appouched the finish.Hmm

So so glad I don't have to go to sports day anymore.

sacope · 02/07/2019 20:22

The better person would run the race but I would avoid if i possibly could

Nobody is a better person for running the fucking mums race on sports day.

MauisHouseOnMaui · 02/07/2019 20:32

At my DC school we all roll our eyes at the ones who run the parents race because it's never the normal, regulars every day parents who do it, it's always the dickheads who 'coincidentally' show up in their top of the line trainers and running gear who stand on the sidelines limbering up and stretching. You can see the ripple of "for fucks sake..." side-eye pass around the crowd like a shady Mexican wave when they all line up on the starting line.

Don't do it if you don't want to do it OP, you left school many years ago and are not obligated to do PE if you don't want to.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 02/07/2019 20:36

Will it be running. We had egg & spoon at the kids’ school.

Parttimewasteoftime · 02/07/2019 20:37

Wear flip flops always blame the footwear 😂 Ours got stopped as parents took it a little too seriously so glad.

YouTheCat · 02/07/2019 20:41

Practise your acting skills and fake injury. Just remember to limp on the correct leg.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 02/07/2019 20:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MustShowDH · 02/07/2019 20:45

Say you'll do it and be prepared to, but on the day you may be able to get out of it / not mind. At ours, they ask people to drop out if there are too many and that's even with them making it a relay to fit more people in!!! Or like someone said above, it might be something easy like beanbag balancing. (Do you know any of the teachers well enough to suggest that its a parents egg and spoon this year???)

BettyJune07 · 02/07/2019 20:46

I did it once in sandals and went arse over tit. Never again, although I know have the genuine excuse of nerve damage caused by post thrombosis. Shit when I'm in pain everyday, but awesome when I get out of that kinda thing Grin

Also agree with PP it's always the same group of mums. We joke every year because the same mum from our class does it, so she's our representative!

ifigoup · 02/07/2019 20:46

Please do join in. My mum never would because she was too embarrassed, but I wouldn’t have cared if she’d come last, I just wanted the opportunity to be proud of her for trying.

Queenoftheashes · 02/07/2019 20:47

I cannot believe what I am reading. They make you run? It sounds like a literal nightmare!

AnnaNimmity · 02/07/2019 20:49

oh do it and come last proudly! I remember a very competitive mum falling flat on her face in the parents race. The parents judge the competitive parents much more than the unfit ones I promise you.

I had the best of both worlds - it was my dcs sports day today and I couldn't go as I had to work. My ds told me it was a pity that I didn't run today because I would have beaten all the other mums by a mile. (I wouldn't have). So his faith in me is undamaged. And I didn't have to even break into a sweat

skybluee · 02/07/2019 20:50

Think they should make it more fun, like 1/4 egg and spoon race, 1/4 sack race, 1/4 on space hoppers then the last 1/4 run to the finish!

mummyrocks1 · 02/07/2019 20:55

I had this problem too, I conveniently forgot my trainers. I didn't want to do it because I am unfit but although I go to the gym and run ok, the other mums are really fit and into the gym. They are ex professional athletes, do iron mans and marathons regularly and run 10k plus in a flash every bloody morning. I wouldn't stand a chance and wouldn't even try and compete.

Puffinhead · 02/07/2019 21:02

Thankfully we don’t have this at our school. I wouldn’t do it. Especially when there’s a good chance someone might record it on their phone!

recededpronunciation · 02/07/2019 21:03

My husband broke his collarbone in the primary school dad’s race. 🙄

CORSACORSA · 02/07/2019 21:07

Ive done it once and won. It was a 3k race. But id never do it again ans i run more now than ever and people know that so id be embarrassed to lose.
If you want to, do it, if not, don’t. Don’t pressure your self.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 02/07/2019 21:10

YANBU. I never did. I'd look a right wally running. I'd probably go flying and tumble over as well. Grin.
Thank God my dd has left school.
I remember all the mums who took part would have serious scowling faces on them.
Its The school Sports Day, sweetie not the bloody Olympics.

stayathomer · 02/07/2019 21:14

He'll notice a million times more if you don't. If you want you can make the odd joke as you go ( not self depricating!!) But he'll only remember that you actually did it and y o u did it for him. If it doesn't go well and he's off about it, you tell him at least you took part. My kids know I'm rubbish at just about everything but I know they appreciate me trying. Best of luck and enjoy it and laugh your ass off OP!!!