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?

[BlackPepperCrab]

notangelinajolie As mentioned upthread I won't be going up and down the pavement... It's a couple of kilometres loop around a bay with an ~10m wide path.

[lynmilne65]

Ffs

[AssassinatedBeauty]

I'm not sure your DH knows what the word obnoxious means.

I think it's totally fine, it's fartlek training which is really common. I don't think I'd really notice especially if it's a wide pavement and there are other joggers. I would make sure you look after your feet and joints though as PP have said.

[guilty100]

(As a PP said, most running clubs do this. In huge groups, too).

I'm just a bit sick of the idea that women are supposed to always look decorous. You can't actually get really properly fit if you're just jogging along sedately. You have to push, and yes, that might involve looking tired, bedraggled, wet and red-faced, and your hair and makeup won't be perfect. No-one comments on those things in the many, many men who go out and push themselves. Yet women are supposed to look like swishy-haired, perfect ponies even when they are exercising, even if it means not being the best they can be at it. Well, fuck that.

[BlackPepperCrab]

guilty100 Thanks for the link! I've always been running for fun/casually when I feel like it so never really delved much into the science of it all. Very educational read!

[KidLorneRoll]

Also: getting exercise by running fast is "attention seeking"?

Ffs.

[Dustbunny1900]

Fuck what it looks like- if you have found an exercise you enjoy and can easily fit in, that's awesome and a good accomplishment. People are always bitching about how "lazy and sedentary we've become as a society just sitting inside all day" but then this BS pops up. People are so concerned with not looking like they're concerned with what people think.

The only thing I'd be concerned about is pavement being hard on your joints and shins. You don't want injury.
Also be sure you definitely won't hit anyone.
Yes an open park with soft ground would be optimal but I know that going to a gym or park can be a lot easier said than done, especially if you have kids, limited time, car issues, etc.
good on you for finding an activity you love , HIIT is so good for you.

[guilty100]

blackpepper - if you get into it, there is a mahoosive tome called The Lore of Running. It's very comprehensive and strangely addictive to read. It is also big enough to deal quite a serious blow if thrown at your DH's head.

[notangelinajolie]

BlackPepperCrab yes I can see it is wide but that makes no difference.

The only thing I don't agree with your DH on is his use of the word obnoxious. I word I would have used is rude.

[BlackPepperCrab]

guilty100 Just checked and it's available in my local bookstore with free delivery included! Think this is a sign.

[guilty100]

Definitely a sign, time to start practising your book/discus throwing skills as well as your interval training

[Undercoverbanana]

Sounds like he needs to find something to do for himself. It sounds like jealousy to me. You have a hobby that you enjoy and are keeping fit and active. He feels left out and he's sulking.

[Dani240]

Your original post did make me think you were sprinting 100m back and forth in front of your house, stopping to catch your breath then sprinting back which would look quite funny. But interval training on a very wide pavement over a few kilometres is totally normal - if a runner is training for something they're probably going to do at least some interval training.

But more to the point who cares if people think you look a bit silly? Everyone looks a bit silly exercising, and anyone who's going to judge you for it probably isn't worth knowing anyway. Your DH would do better supporting you in getting fit.

[chickenwire17]

I do interval training when I remember during my run and I do it along a pavement-less residential road. However, I only do it in the dark and when there is no one around. I probably look a bit daft, but, frankly, I don't really care. I would make sure that there are no pedestrians around, though, to make sure I didn't frighten anyone!

[NutellaDoughnut]

Oh for goodness sake. Do what you like OP. This hardly a harmful activity. You're not out there practising your golf swing or throwing a javelin. People may wonder what you're doing, why you're doing it, and may make judgements about you, if you don't mind about that (and why should you?) then carry on. Why anyone would be annoyed about anybody doing this in front of their house is beyond me.

It seems those with more knowledge than me advise against running on concrete, so perhaps that is advice to heed, but in terms of it being an appropriate space, just be cautious that you keep your eyes open and are aware of where other pavement users are so you don't bump into anyone.

[GreatBigPolarBear]

Oh it makes much more sense if you're doing it on a long loop rather than pelting up and down your road!
Plus you'll need a warm up and cool down so your dp can just convince himself you're going for a short jog if it bothers him that much!

[Lindy2]

Now that you've explained a bit more and posted a picture I don't think it's as odd as it first seemed. I pictured a scenario where people would be looking out of their front room windows to see you repeatedly whizzing past their front doors and zig zagging past unsuspecting pedestrians.
I'd worry about your knee joints a bit but if it's what you want to do, go for it.

[Shell4429]

Good for you. It's not hurting anyone and you are exercising. Your OH sounds like a dick.

[wheresmyphone]

Staying in posh hotel a while ago. Couple of ex-England rugby players staying there on their way to Rugby World cup to commentate which was in Oz or somewhere similar I think. ALL they did was weights and sprinting intervals in the gym.......walk, walk, run like f*k, walk, walk run like f*k.....they sounded like a herd of wilderbest....if its good enough for them you can tell your DH to get knotted!

[MayCatt]

Very odd to do that on a pavement no matter how wide it is. Good for you to have the dedication but find somewhere appropriate OP...like a gym or a park.

[Arscal]

MattCatt why on earth is it better to run in a gym than outside in the fresh air? Running on a treadmill is incredibly dull. Most runners that I know would much prefer to pound the payment as opposed to running on the spot in the gym!

[littlebird7]

Seriously you need to stop sprinting/jogging on anything concrete. The impact on your joints is horrendous. It is particularly bad as you age. You will end up with hip or knee replacements.

I have just had a total hip replacement and I can tell you that you really want to avoid one of those at all costs.

[littlebird7]

Arscal

The running machine is relatively low impact in comparison to the pavement, that is why people go to the gym. They are looking after themselves.

[Arscal]

Cheers for that, I'll let Mo Farah know.

[Sirzy]

There is actually a lot of research now which suggests that running is pretty good for your joints....