DP thinks my new hobby (sprinting) is obnoxious.

[BlackPepperCrab]

Recently, in the spirit of health, I have decided to start running again. I'm not a fan of long distance jogging, so have opted to do sets of 100/200m sprints. The usual pavement I do my running on is about 10+m wide, so no worries there isn't a chance of me crashing into anyone.

My issue now, is that DP has told me (more than once), that what I'm doing is obnoxious and attention seeking.

AIBU to think that's complete bollocks?

[OldPony]

Totally inappropriate to sprint up and down a pavement. I can't quite believe that anyone would think so.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Most runners don't train 100% of the time on concrete. I run all the time (three times a week) on either a machine, trail or track. I have to run on pavement when I do races or sometimes if my running group goes mad. But even then it's only normally part of the run. It's my feet that suffer but I'm old and chubby. But your shins might too.

What annoys me is your DP. It's not actually your well-being he's worried about. Does he like you unfit? Is he insecure? Does he normally try to make fun or healthy things you do less fun?

[Floralnomad]

Not obnoxious but I agree about attention seeking and frankly bizarre .

[Joeymaynardslimegreendress]

Sorry op the thought of you running like phoebe in friends and overtaking joggers while your husband calls you obnoxious tickled me.

You might look a show off and a bit of a weirdo but obnoxious!! That’s harsh. Attention seeking maybe

[dinahmorris]

If it was likely that you were going to run in to someone then maybe not, but on a pavement like that I think it is fine.

I don't think it is obnoxious or attention seeking. If I saw you I'd probably just be jealous cos I'm crap at running!

[PyongyangKipperbang]

www.runtrackdir.com/tracklist.asp

[BestZebbie]

It is the going back and forth in the same spot that triggers the "attention seeking" accusation - if you went for a circular run with sprint sections (so you only passed each other road user once) much less so.

[Joeymaynardslimegreendress]

Can you imagine doing your best jogging and the op hurtling past you not once but looping you

I might put my leg out.

[BlackPepperCrab]

It won’t be back and forth though; my route (with the pictured pavement) goes on for kilometres. And ah Pyongyang I’m not in the UK - I’d have to take a bus/taxi/train to the nearest track which I’m not really willing to do.

[birdiebirdiewoofwoof]

I think the attention-seeking comments are very odd. Are there really people who exercise conspicuously for attention? Are there so many of those people that you'd look at any given runner and assume that's what they were doing?

I wouldn't do it because I know I'd get shin splints, and as a parent of a toddler I'd be a bit annoyed by someone trying to zoom past - I can keep him out of the way of people walking and even jogging, but he does change direction suddenly and there's not always much I can do about it. It would be like someone trying to do fast lengths in a swimming pool when everyone else is playing about.

But if you do it at very quiet times, you have a good line of sight and you're satisfied that you won't get injured, carry on. You know you're not attention seeking and tbh I think less of your DP if he can't see that you're not.

[DiegoMadonna]

What about a football pitch or whatever sport you have there? You can do HIIT by jogging running round any rectangular pitch/court - jog the lengths, sprint the widths, repeat.

[StoatofDisarray]

Go to a park or a gym. Pavements are not for people moving as fast as you, whether on foot or on a bike or scooter: it's very dangerous to other users.

[BlackPepperCrab]

Okay I think I’m starting to understand my DP’s POV!

I’m not inconveniencing any normal walkers though. Those people either will 1. Walk in the air conditioned indoor area on the right or 2. On the boardwalk on the left.

[Squarerouteofsquirrel]

Without knowing you I would think you where a bit of an attention seeker. Why not just go the gym or some other more suitable place.

[DadDadDad]

And no toddlers will run across your path from 1 to 2?

[WunWun]

It does sound attention seeking. I'd also be mildly annoyed by someone sprinting towards me on the pavement. What if it's busy or a child wandered in front of you?

Why should they have to walk elsewhere so they don't get run down?

[rightknockered]

I think it's fine, apart from the fact that you're running on very unforgiving concrete. Walking/jogging with short sprints is HIIT, and is an excellent workout. I do something similar, but jog interspersed with sprints, but in a park

[BlackPepperCrab]

It’s very difficult to sprint on treadmills + there are plenty of joggers on that path at my usual running hours (9pm+/-) which was why I was okay with it in the first place.

[TipTopTipTopClop]

It will look a bit weird, but who cares. Do it.

BTW I started running about 9 months ago and I'm v glad I did. Good luck.

[GiantSteps]

Ah I get the effect of concrete on my shins. Don’t marathon runners run on roads though? I’m not the most versed in health matters but is running at high speeds in short bursts more damaging on such surfaces as opposed to long distance running across an arguably harsher surface?

Yes.

[AsSurprisedAsYouAre]

Just to speak to the health of it - sprinting is usually higher impact than long distance running, your feet are hitting the running surface with more force to get the additional speed, hence the comments about additional risk of impact-injuries on concrete. Make sure you have proper running shoes (not trainers from a high street store, preferably ones fitted to you by a pro where your gait is analysed) and replace them regularly as they lose their protection. As the song says "be kind to your knees" etc ;)

[AuntieStella]

The surface is too hard for sprinting on, really.

And as jogging is as excellent warm up for sprinting (and cool down after), where could you get to in 10-15 minutes?

[Redpony1]

What are some people on?!
I wouldn't think twice about seeing someone sprinting on a pavement, most runners will do full on sprinting intervals as part of their training.

I'm part of a club and Monday night is alternating weeks of hill reps and sprint training. We do this on pavements, sometimes 40/50 of us on a loop. We don't have access to a local athletics track, most people don't. Most of the club have been running all their lives and there is plenty of research to debunk the idea of tarmac running ruining your legs. I've definitely got stronger since leaving the comfort of running on grass...

Keep up the good work OP!

[OlennasWimple]

Long distance running and sprinting is a different action, and the impact of running on concrete is magnified if you are sprinting. Ultimately, you will end up with lower body injuries, so regardless of whether you look ridiculous / obnoxious / attention-seeking, it won't be good for you.

[TiesThatBindMe]

You'd look like a lunatic surely?