How often do Dc have to fit in around your interests

[DaimYou]

rather than the other way around?

I run, which takes me away from the family quite a bit, but as far as possible I train early and am back before DC (young pre/teens) get up, or while they're out at their own activities. Races, about once a month, mean I'm away for a good part of the day and TBH, good for nothing much when I get back.

Usually that's fine, they're either doing their own thing anyway or doing something with DH.

Next weekend, DH is away with a hobby of his all weekend. Also fine, DC will be with me. However, a very special lady of 78 I know well, will be running a local marathon that Sunday, aiming to get a good for age qualifying time to run London to celebrate her 80th birthday.

A few of us from the club were planning to go to support her, but I'd forgotten about Dh's trip! So, Dc could either come with me, or stay home alone. If they come they will be bored. If they stay home they will play on gadgets all day and eat rubbish.

Or I could stay home.

WWYD?

Actually, there's another option. I could ask my Mum to give them lunch, but they won't be thrilled at the idea of spending the day at home with GPs and it doesn't seem a particularly "good" reason to ask for childcare help.

Her marathon shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, should it? (I don't know how fast 78 y/olds run!) I'd take the DC with me then out for a pizza or something fun afterwards.

In general, I'd say that your DC are more important than a "woman I know well". I'd take them, and have fun with them.

Ask them what they want to do. One day of junk food and xbox is not going to harm them, if that's what they choose.

You won't be supporting her for the whole 4-5 hours or so she'll be running will you? I'd go and give her a cheer somewhere round the course and then do something with the children.

LOL Whatsgoingon, the World Record for men is more than a couple of hours!

There's about 3/4 hour each way to drive and usually, when you're supporting a marathon runner, you move around the course a bit so you can see them at several points.

The "woman I know well" has been an inspiration to me and 100s of other runners locally for several decades, very active in the local running community and raised £1000s for charity. At least 2 local running clubs wouldn't exist without her and she's been instrumental in the vast increase in female participation natioanlly. 5 annual races wouldn't take place without her. Her run is worth supporting.

Id take them. But compromise on my spectating (ie not as many points on the course as I'd have done otherwise) then treat the kids to something they want to do (eat out?).
I think it's good for the kids to know about this older lady and see what it means to people including you.

I go dancing (dance class then a dance) on a wednesday so ds3 aged 15 kind of has 'his night' which involves ....a hot bath,super noodles (not at the same time) and his choice of music,drinking milkshake and eating crap ......he has a nice evening and so do i x

To answer your question my ds is only two but if dh is away cycle racing on a Saturday I take ds to parkrun and push him round.
If dh is mtb racing and the weathers nice I take ds and we do some spectating, some play park and a bit of our own bike ride around the forest.

Are there any attractions/ things your kids want to do near to where the marathon is? If so I would combine the two and support your friend for a while and then go off and do something with the children. P

You must go and support your friend. She sounds amazing. I agree with clueing. Ask them what they want to do. A lazy Sunday at home won't hurt if that's what they want to do and you are happy to leave them.