On this year’s Sport Relief medal it says I did myself proud for Sport Relief, which is appropriate, because I couldn’t have been more proud of my kids for what they achieved in this year’s Sport Relief.
When we signed up for my daughter, younger son and I to run 3 miles and my eldest to run 6 miles, I had concerns about both of my boys.
My younger son is not a long distance runner. He runs a mean 100m and can go up and down a football and rugby pitch like a rocket, but running longer distances doesn’t agree with him and he is often nursing ankle, hamstring or achilles injuries. I was also worried that it would interfere with his football that afternoon, as he would have very little time to recover. I expected my husband (the coach) to say he shouldn’t run. I actually woke up on several occasions worrying about it (stupid, I know). My eldest should have trained for his 6 miles, but he didn’t. He generally runs a Parkrun (3 miles) about every other week and can walk a really long way, but he’s never run anything like 6 miles.
Could they do it?
On the morning of the run, my younger son woke up injury-free. He wasn’t going to wear proper running clothes though. He didn’t even want his run number on (he ended up having it on his back).
We’d agreed the four of us would run the first 3 miles together, so that my son could pace himself for the uncharted territory of 4, 5 and 6 miles. I thought he might have to walk some of the second half of the run and felt there was no shame in that.
The run took place in the same place as our Parkrun, following a slightly different (more uphill) route. Parkrun is non-competitive and with a real mix of people, but this was even more so. There were toddlers running and people who had chosen to walk rather than even attempt to run. The atmosphere rubbed off on my daughter and she decided she didn’t need to run as fast as she does for Parkrun. So my eldest took off on his own and it wasn’t long before my younger son did too.
My younger son was using a sprint and walk technique, that seemed to work well for him. I could usually spot my eldest some way in front of us as he was dressed so brightly. He was running well and gradually opening the gap without going too fast.
My younger son, the boy I’d worried about, finished the run free from injury and a couple of minutes ahead of his sister and I. We did it in about 35 minutes and her competitive spirit kicked in at the end – she had to overtake a few people and she had to cross the line before me!
And then I just had to wait for my eldest to finish.
He had a couple of sips of water as he ran past and insisted I take a photo on my phone for his Instagram (priorities!). He was running well, although looked rather tired. And he just kept going.
My son finished 6 miles in just over an hour, without walking once, despite his lack of training. He looked a bit pale and his legs were a bit stiff, but he’d done it!
I was so proud of all of my kids for what they’d achieved. I really shouldn’t have worried about any of them!
March 23, 2016
You all did so well and for such a great cause too. I think I would also be a very proud mum. I’m really hoping to get Freya involved in years to come.
March 23, 2016
Thanks very much! And well done to you too. I really hope you can get Freya involved in future. There were lots of very young kids taking part at ours.
March 23, 2016
Ah this is so great and you should be proud of yourself and your kids. I am so inspired by the at you and your daughter run together and love how active you all are. Xx
March 23, 2016
Thanks very much! I’ve always loved running and my kids have really got into it too this year, which is great 🙂
March 23, 2016
Well done to you all, I was thinking of you earlier actually as they’ve just started a Parkrun here. #SSAA
March 23, 2016
Thanks very much! I am the Mrs Parkrun of the blog world! Will you be tempted to take part?
March 23, 2016
Wow Sarah, that’s very impressive indeed. They all did amazingly and brilliant times for them all. Lovely that you can do something like this as a family.
March 23, 2016
Thanks very much, I’m so proud of them! It’s great that it’s something we can do together (even if my younger son isn’t all that keen!).
March 26, 2016
Well done all of you. I guess the proof of how much they enjoyed it this time, will be if they all sign up for the 6 miles next time! You are so lucky having a Parkrun near you. My girls would love it. #CountryKids
March 26, 2016
Thanks very much! We do love our Parkrun! My daughter was tempted by the 6 miles this time, so I’m sure she’ll do it next time!
March 26, 2016
Well done to all of you, it’s great that you all took part in something that’s for such a great cause. I must say I’m impressed with how well you all did, it’s great that you all started off as a family, even if they boys took it upon themselves to speed up. Those times are all fab, especially your eldest who hadn’t trained for his 6 miles! Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
March 26, 2016
Thanks very much. It was a great experience for us all and the kids did so well!
March 26, 2016
No wonder you were so proud! Well done to all of the kids! #countrykids
March 26, 2016
Thanks very much, they did so well! Thanks very much for sponsoring us too, that is much appreciated!
March 26, 2016
Oh, a massive well done to you all, what a fantastic achievement! Such a good cause too and sport relief raised so much this year. You’ll be running alongside Eddie Izzard next 😉
Nat.x
March 26, 2016
Thanks very much! I think we’ve got a long way to go before we can match Eddie Izzard. I’m totally in awe of what he achieved! x
March 26, 2016
Well done to you all and so glad that both your sons managed to complete their runs and do so well. Love that your daughter’s competitive streak kicked in at the end!
March 28, 2016
Thanks very much! I really shouldn’t have worried about any of them! One of the other runners even commented on her competitive streak as she sped past him! I think he recognised her from Parkrun.
March 26, 2016
Well done to all of you! That’s fantastic, all three kids did so well. And, lovely for you all to have done it together too x
March 28, 2016
Thank you! It was really important to me that we all did it together. Maybe next time I’ll persuade my husband to join us?
March 27, 2016
A fantastic achievement for you all and for such a great cause, congratulations! Thank you for sharing with #LoudnProud
March 28, 2016
Thanks very much! We were so pleased to have managed it and we all really enjoyed it 🙂
March 27, 2016
Aww such a lovely read! I think its always normal to worry and I would actually worry if I am not worrying as a Mom in an event. I love how they all finished and I love how your son wants some photos for ig! Congratulations =)
#countrykids
March 28, 2016
Thanks very much! It’s nice to know that other people can relate to worrying! I really wish I hadn’t worried now, but I can’t avoid it!
March 27, 2016
A really big well done to you all!!! What a brilliant cause and you all did so well. It’s no easy feat to run that distance (for me anyway :))
March 28, 2016
Thanks very much! I always remind my daughter it’s not easy to run that distance. She doesn’t realise most people can’t actually run that far.
March 27, 2016
Oh well done to you all 🙂
I didn’t realise that your lad had football too – hope that went well too.
March 28, 2016
Thanks very much! Football is set in stone on Sunday and my son isn’t allowed to miss it! Sadly it wasn’t one of their better games, but my son scored their only goal, so I don’t think the running affected his performance too much!
March 29, 2016
Congrats to you all, it’s great that you could all join in and no doubt spur each other on.
Your son’s need of a photo for Instagram made me chuckle, bless him!
Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements