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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/07/2019 21:57

I'm disabled so I've never done it and my kids aren't bothered, and I have absolutely no intention of being "brave" just to make everyone else feel better about themselves.

Not sure about all the sneering about people warming up though; it's pretty stupid to sprint from cold, you are just asking to pull a muscle.

Huntlybyelection · 02/07/2019 21:58

Also: it's dangerous! One dad broke his wrist last year and the year before that two dad's pulled muscles!

Hebdenbridge · 02/07/2019 21:59

I did it 2 years ago and came in last. By a long way. Me and another mum. I felt really humiliated. Dd thought it was really funny sand wants me to do it again. I haven't been able to, do to health. Another child in dds class begs his mum NOT to 🤣

I don't know, it's a tough one. I always say to my kids that if there aren't losers, then there can't be any winners. BUT loosing sucks

llangennith · 02/07/2019 22:00

My grandson wanted me to do the mums' race as his mum couldn't go to Sports Day. I'm old and fat and unfit.
I 'ran' and came last but got lots of cheers and DGS was incredibly proud that his person had taken part in a Sports Day race.
Don't take it so seriously: just do it. Set an example that taking part is good.

babysharkah · 02/07/2019 22:08

I decided against it in reception when some of the y6 mums turned up in full gym gear and with running spikes. Seriously.

NoSquirrels · 02/07/2019 22:09

Nuh-uh. I will do many potentially humiliating things for my DC but I won't do that.

The thing about sports day is that the DC HAVE to take part - and that is what counts for them, not the winning. Just the taking part because it is the rules.

But I have served my time as a DC, and I am free to choose NOT to take part.

Thankfully my DC's schools have never done parents' races, so it hasn't come up.

babysharkah · 02/07/2019 22:09

I decided against it in reception when some of the y6 mums turned up in full gym gear and with running spikes. Seriously.

YouTheCat · 02/07/2019 22:16

I don't agree with pressuring children to take part in running races if that isn't their thing. So long as they have a go at the egg and spoon or something less fraught then I reckon that is fine.

I also don't agree with pressuring adults into taking part.

NotTheMrMenAgain · 02/07/2019 22:20

I do because my DD wants me to and my DM always comes along to watch sports day and she says I have to! Last year's 'skipping through a hula hoop' was a bit rough but I feel I smashed the 'balancing a tennis ball on a racquet' race this year.....bought up the rear with a friend but our ball's didn't fall off once (proud).

Vulpine · 02/07/2019 22:26

It's good to show your kids an active life style - if possible

dreichuplands · 02/07/2019 22:30

They turn up in running gear and trainers at our school, lots of stretches, mums and dads.

dreichuplands · 02/07/2019 22:32

But one dad who was dressed normally pulled a muscle badly.

sacope · 02/07/2019 22:38

It's good to show your kids an active life style - if possible

It's possible to do this without running in the mins race.

happyhillock · 02/07/2019 22:40

It's up to you if you want to do it, i never did

Stormy76 · 02/07/2019 22:41

when my youngest DS was in primary, I used to go along and take part occasionally. My DS used to say in the end ‘it’s ok Mum you don’t have to do it because you will only lose’ he wasn’t being horrible just stating a fact. There were always the ‘have been training all year for this brigade’ one of them got a bit carried away one year and ran straight into the fence .....which was quite amusing.lots of sniggering that year lol

Vulpine · 02/07/2019 22:43

Sacope absolutely but the op said she didn't want to do it because of lack of fitness

ladypenelopeplum · 02/07/2019 22:46

Not a chance, it's uber competitive with them all in their expensive running gear and warming up stretches before.

SushiForAmateurs · 02/07/2019 22:55

Not sure about all the sneering about people warming up though; it's pretty stupid to sprint from cold, you are just asking to pull a muscle.

Of course, it's very, very important to stretch and properly warm up, especially if you're going to be full-on racing against people who are jogging or even strolling along.

It's more the ostentatious warning up, done by the full-kit brigade who seriously Want To Win.

Note: most mums and dads won't actually be sprinting.

imaginativeusername · 02/07/2019 22:55

I think an important lesson to your LO is that you have nothing to prove and if you don't feel comfortable doing something you don't have to do it. Cheer other mums on but recognise your merit as a mum is not being the fastest or indeed partaking. You are enough as you are!

Furrydogmum · 02/07/2019 23:00

I ran the mums race when ds1 was about 7, he came over after and asked me not to embarrass him like that again 😬

PepsiLola · 02/07/2019 23:01

I won't be, our school sports day is tomorrow... I have work in the morning so likely will be wearing work clothes (suit dress).
I have a bad back, and I'm quite unfit - but a bit of a character flaw, I am ridiculously competitive and hate losing.
So I am just not even joining in, my DH will be with me and I know he will join in anything dad related

CassianAndor · 02/07/2019 23:08

I couldn’t be less fit if I tried, I am always in a bunch of ‘last’ when I do it, which I always do if I’m there. The kids love it, it’s good fun and utterly uncompetitive - it sends a good message of just doing it for a laugh rather than to win. And one day it might actually inspire me to do some exercise!

sacope · 02/07/2019 23:27

@Vulpine fair enough.

Original poster

nanbread · 02/07/2019 23:39

Some of these stories are brilliant! Spikes FFS! Haha.

I'm pretty sure there won't be any super competitive mums in Lycra, it's not that kind of school (I think?!).

Thanks for the varied opinions, I am going to make a call on the day once I see how long the track is and who else is taking part. I only have an hour's lunch break from work to attend so that may prevent me from taking part anyway, depending what time the race is...

OP posts:

EmeraldShamrock · 03/07/2019 01:02

I don't blame you. I am not a runner but I can run privately for the bus, the school run etc, I'm fairly fit.
When it comes to the Mummy race, I revert back to a child, I have DCD, the whistle panics me, I run like a deer on ice, arms flailing,
DP took the piss after one, I was going to tump him.
Half of the mums wont do it, I've done two and skipped two.
Tell DS you hurt your ankle.

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