I'm Already In Training For My Kid's Sports Day – And It's Not For Another Three Weeks

Truly, I will take them down.
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I wasn’t that competitive at school. Honestly – there were a few things I was good at (swimming, eating Double Deckers, writing tragic love letters I’d never send), but I was never known for being “sporty”. 

I joke that I go for a run approximately every four years – and it’s true. I recently logged on to Strava (more on that, later) to discover my last proper ‘run’ was in June 2015. The lycra I wore has been in the cellar ever since. Until now. 

Currently I’m hauling myself back to the local park, three times a week, doing a slow but methodical 5k each time (yes, each one logged on Strava). And there’s just one reason: sports day.

Specifically, the Mums’ Race, at sports day. I’m going to win that thing if it kills me – and as of right-the-hell-now, I’m in training.

Two years ago, you see, a fluke happened. I hadn’t been to a school sports day before, other than the ones I reluctantly took part in as a teenager (read: sit on the sidelines, gazing at the person I had a crush on) and I didn’t even know there was a race for mums and dads. 

I also didn’t realise how seriously people would take it... or what would come over me when I took part. And I certainly, unequivocally, hadn’t thought for a minute that I would ACTUALLY WIN. 

But win, I did – and now I’ve got a reputation to maintain. Last year I came second, but I blame the cheats who went before the starter gun (it wasn’t really a gun, just the headteacher shouting “Ready... steady... go!”). 

And that’s why, this year, I’m determined to go down in the history books as the revered two-time winner of the Mums’ Race.

I can already imagine the slow motion footage, the victory music, the cheering crowds... (of seven-year-olds).

So, I’m off down the cellar again – but not to find lycra, this time. Nope – my old running spikes are in there somewhere. I’m going to find them, and I’m not afraid to use them. Fellow mums, watch out. 

I WILL TAKE YOU DOWN.