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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DP thinks my new hobby (sprinting) is obnoxious.

224 replies

BlackPepperCrab · 04/10/2017 13:56

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. Confused

AIBU to think that's complete bollocks?

OP posts:
littlebird7 · 05/10/2017 18:38

Arscal

You are welcome

Sirzy · 05/10/2017 18:40

Oh and I was advised not to use a treadmill to run as the action is more unnatural so for my knee problem (existed long before I started running and running has helped it massively) using the treadmill would risk triggering it.

littlebird7 · 05/10/2017 18:40

sirzy

Running can be good for the joints if it is not on the pavement, but really depends on the state of your joints in the first place. My surgeon spends all day every day replacing people's hips, and it was his advice after twenty five years of publishing research.

MumsOnCrack · 05/10/2017 18:43

Nah it’s fine...

littlebird7 · 05/10/2017 18:43

sirzy

Check with your consultant if you are concerned. If it is just a minor problem with your knee then you can probably run on soft ground. If you have a serious problem they will advise you not to run or jog at all is my understanding.

Sirzy · 05/10/2017 18:45

I’m not concerned at all. Like i said since talking up running my knee is stronger than ever - including running a lot of roads.

I think that’s the problem with people giving general “don’t run on roads it’s bad for your knees” advice - it may be for some individuals but millions of people run, the majority with no problems.

Jasminedes · 05/10/2017 18:46

I do hill sprint intervals (or used to) up and down my road. I figured no one would mostly notice that I went by a few times. It was partly so I wasn't too far away if the dc needed me, but also, why waste time going somewhere else like the field just to run up and down? I think some people are just a bit too self conscious or feel they will be judged. Really, no one cares very much what anyone else does.

Timmytoo · 05/10/2017 18:47

Normal where I live - on Sea Point promenade. Bikes, skateboards, sprinting, running and even pogo sticking. Everything goes here nobody cares lol. Nothing wrong with sprinting and wouldn’t think it’s strange at all! The guy riding his bicycle in his wetsuit on his mobile in the middle of a storm was, however, amusing!! Grin

littlebird7 · 05/10/2017 18:48

sirzy

The surgeons and consultants give the advice, not 'people'. You don't have to listen, you can do what you want.

You can't have very much wrong with your knee if it is now 'stronger than ever after running on concrete' anyway! It is a bit of a non starter if you don't have a problem in the first place....but give it another decade and you might have something to complain about then (sigh)

Sirzy · 05/10/2017 18:49

The numerous operations I have had and the views of the consultants would differ but of course your internet expertise knows everything Hmm

SusanTheGentle · 05/10/2017 18:52

I would really like to start running again, I really enjoy it, but every time I've tried to couch to 5k it over the last few years I've got dodgy foot injuries reoccurring and bad knees. I've followed the program and increased gradually but still it happens. I have running trainers fitted at a proper shop. There's clearly a lot of experience on this thread - it's there anything else I should be doing to avoid injury?

eurochick · 05/10/2017 19:01

I often do hiit when I run - basically interval sprints. It's good for improving speed and distance. I tend to do it in the park but it's London so always busy. No one looks at me twice. Dogs do occasionally think I'm playing chase though.

Oldie2017 · 05/10/2017 19:03

I want women to claim public space as far too many men dominate it. The more of this theb etter as long as safely done. If I were doing it I'd do it in the garden but I cannot summon up the energy.

tomatotornado · 05/10/2017 19:13

Of all the people in the world your DH should be the one to step in when no one else will. Whilst all your girlfriends smile and nod, your DH should be the one you can rely on to tell you that you have lost your mind and look like an idiot.

If that doesn't convince you at least consider he's the one who can see you fly past the window isn't he? We can only imagine that visual delight.

But you should do what makes you happy. Please do it responsibly. I'm that fed up with the dad dodging MAMIL cyclists death cruising at rush hour, if you came charging at my toddler in more w flashing Lycra I would not be responsible for my actions.

DemonBaby · 05/10/2017 19:15

I think all joggers on the pavement look like knobs.

I know IABU but I can't help it.

BigChocFrenzy · 05/10/2017 19:19

You said there were a lot of other runners there
A really good runner could be nearly as fast as your sprints.

Sprinting intervals are great HIIT, perfect for seriously increasing fitness but taking up v little of your time.
Don't let people put you off; just make sure you are not obstructing pedestrians

The only running injury I ever had was several years ago when I was in a running group that used to jog 12k through the countryside - a repetitive stress injury
I'm age 61 and I now only do sprint intervals, or a 20 minute gentle jog and have not had an injury since

My sprints are always on pavements. I find less risk of slipping than on grass.
I'm lucky in that I've always lived in quiet streets, almost no pedestrians
So, no risk of colliding - and I'm too old mature to worry about being called a showoff
However, I sprint in circuits, around a wide block, not up & down the same patch (which would bore me)

Does your OH feel threatened by your increased fitness, or by an activity you enjoy without him ?
Maybe he can chauffeur you to the nearest park and cheer you on there, so he feels it is a joint activity

KidLorneRoll · 05/10/2017 19:27

Re: running being bad for yoir joints. Not true, as a rule, for people who have no underlying issues. Check the resear h and ignore the nonsense.

Rabblemum · 05/10/2017 19:50

This is a bad sign, your hubby may not understand your hobby but he could just ignore it. Some men think they own their woman or believe they can never be outshone by a mere woman. Look for other signs of emitional abuse.

KidLorneRoll · 05/10/2017 19:52

I think all people called DemonBaby are knobs.

I know IABU but I can't help it.

cluecu · 05/10/2017 20:01

Don't understand why this is an issue? Sounds like there is plenty of room on the pavement etc. I prefer to run on streets near my house despite living very close to a park as i feel safer (at 6pm on an autumn evening) having houses, cars right near me and also less dogs off lead to play chase/jump up.

Stuff what anyone else thinks in this situation you're doing no harm to them.

Imstyledilemma · 05/10/2017 20:21

this has to be one of the most depressing threads I've ever come across.

Obnoxious?
Attention Seeking?

Really?
The OP has said that it's being done in the spirit of fitness
How the hell is that being attention seeking?

Lots of runners run on pavements.
A lot do sessions that involve short bursts of running fast (sprinting).
Most people don't have access to athletics tracks.

No wonder so many women are reluctant to start running or taking up any sort of fitness programme when there are so many strange attitudes around.

rightsofwomen · 05/10/2017 20:27

The only reason I don’t do interval training on my own is that it’s really, really hard!
We do them in our club (round loops, up and down a hill, there and backs).

Without the support/competitive element of my club mates there’s no way I could do an effective session so kudos to you OP! If you’re happy and not bothering anyone else then just get on with it.

DemonBaby · 05/10/2017 20:38

*I think all people called DemonBaby are knobs.

I know IABU but I can't help it*

Good thing that ain't my name then eh Grin

Give over, I'm only jealous because I'm a lazy fucker.

Sirzy · 05/10/2017 20:39

I know I look like a knob when I run. But at least I am a fit and healthy knob now!

DemonBaby · 05/10/2017 20:41

It's not that people LOOK like knobs so much as irritate me because they often think they own the pavement. Like cyclists who seem to think they shouldn't have to cycle on the road.