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?

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
That's absolutely laughable!!

I've run places where I've been a spectacle. Where the local people look at me like I'm insane. But I like running (sort of) and need to keep it up (definitely).

If you're sure you and everyone else is safe and you enjoy it and it's keeping you fit... why is your DP not supportive?

AsSurprised Thanks for the tip! Most of my mates are cyclists or marathon joggers so don’t really get to discuss sprinting much IRL.**

AuntieStella I live basically smack in the midst of the business district so in 10-15 minutes unfortunately I’d either still be in another part of the business district/shopping district or at a touristy garden-park which IMO is even more dangerous due to there being night light shows and the presence of a very popular night eatery there.**

I do splits on the treadmill and it's fine. I jump on MRI the sides in a wide stance when I can't go any more while the machine slows down IYSWIM? Lots of runners do that on train that way on the machine.

I get that running on a machine can be dull for some though.

On to the. Not MRI?! Ffs

MrsTerryPratchett DP thinks it’s “not normal” and, I quote, “you might as well put on flashing lights since people are going to stare anyway”.

So basically your going to go out for a couple of Km of run/walk then? Not sprinting as in running 200m and then turning round and running the same 200m back again.

In that case it sounds fine as long as - like any runner on the path - you are aware of your surroundings and don’t get in pedestrians way

How exactly does it affect him? If you look weird, that’s your problem!

Does he want you to get fit?

Redpony Why is it laughable? I've been bumped and collided with by joggers (too tired/focussed on their times) numerous times; my route to work is along the south bank of the Thames, which is thick with joggers and tourists. Being slammed into from behind, and constantly having to keep half an eye out for joggers swerving around trying to keep their speed up as they negotiate people walking along is a pain in the arse. I used to run (with the club in Dulwich Park), so I'm not anti-running, I just think it's dangerous to do it in a place where everyone else is moving in both directions at a top speed of about 3mph. I've seen toddlers tripped over, prams tripped over, and old people jostled. Pavements are not suitable for sports training.

Just soley sprinting is odd but if you want to do it then go ahead! Make sure you warm up before and after though

Lots of runners to sprints actually. It's called speed training. You do a certain distance at top whack and then jog for a a short period and then repeat.

OP I don't YABU one little bit. It's up to you how you exercise, who cares what anyone else thinks? It's a shame your DP can't be a bit more supportive.

If you are running along a pavement in a continuous straight line or one big loop you are basically just jogging but with some bits speeded up - YANBU

MrsTerryPratchett I guess it’s because this area is right next to our offices/residence so there’s the worry about “what will colleagues/neighbours think”.

How is your hobby sprinting if your circuit is several kilometres long? Your just jogging with interval training surely?

titchy The interval training I grew up with tend to consists of other activities like lunges or push ups and the like.* But when you put it that way I guess that’s what it is! Re-reading back my first post was fairly ambiguous and I really do apologise for that.*

"People will stare at you".

So: step 1 - do you mind if people stare at you? If not, then DP need not worry.

Step 2 - try doing it and see if people stare at you. Then you can make an informed decision.

Sprinting on pavements is just weird.

Intervals however are absolutely fine and good training

Sorry OP, but all I can think of is the episode of Friends where everyone is jogging normally and then Phoebe speeds past like a hurricane

Pavements are not suitable for sports training

Then that would wipe out 99% of most urban running clubs then wouldnt it, because there isn't a park that i could name in my town or surrounding towns suitable for running more than a couple of km at most without doing a shed load of tedious mind numbing laps. We'll continue to run on pavements for both long distance and sprint training

If you're doing interval training, which I think is probably fine and doesn't look weird at all, that's one thing. If you are marking out a 100m track and hurtling up and down it you will look like a total plum. Sorry. I was a sprinter for years, and I rarely did full tilt sprints, because it's bad for you to be honest, so even though you don't like long distances, sprints are probably not a good way to get fit or stay healthy, and your feet and knees are going to be knackered

I’m also in the camp of it’s a bit odd. But if it’s your exercise of choice and you’ve no where else to go then crack on. If my husband was doing it I’d probably say to him what you’re husband said to you, but less polite and maybe with a few “wanker” thrown in [ grin]

Bluntness " you look like a total wanker babe"

Not RTFT but what is wrong with sprinting on the pavements?

I'm not sure how fast the OP is, but her sprint might be equivalent to a young guy's gentle jog anyway.

As an example, a very fast pace for me running is 6 minute miling. I might manage that for the last 30 seconds of a race as I see the finish line. For me, that is a sprint. One of my friends can run at that pace for a whole marathon.

So I can't see how it's a problem for the OP to do it on the pavement, though I second the advice that it might be better for her joints etc if she found a park to do it. It's high impact activity.