Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think my knees are none of your concern..

67 replies

Runningonempty84 · 23/12/2019 07:42

Lighthearted (a bit), but...
Staying with my family this Christmas. Every time I nip out for a run, it's "why are you running, it's meant to be a holiday." Or "you'll have no knees by the time you're 50." Or "you don't need to lose any more weight." It drives me INSANE.

Running has made me much happier and healthier (mentally and physically) which they're well aware of. And the only time I've had knee trouble is back when I was fat.

AIBU to think they should lay off the anti-running sniping, and just let me crack on with it?!

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 23/12/2019 07:45

It's their jealousy (that you can do it) and guilt (that they should be exercising too) getting the better of them.

AliceAbsolum · 23/12/2019 07:47

I'm clearly in the same family as you. Its jealousy and/or clash of cultures. People think you should sit down, eat and watch TV at Xmas... Anything else is madness!

Vulpine · 23/12/2019 07:48

My knees are fine and ive been running for years. Never had a twinge.

OceanSunFish · 23/12/2019 07:50

It's because it makes them feel bad for sitting on their arses eating chocolate.

SophoclesTheFox · 23/12/2019 07:53

Haha, I get that from my family too!

I particularly need my runs when I’m with family to stop me from murdering them all in the head 🤣

No idea why people have to shit on running so much, but I just let them crack on with it - no point lowering my blood pressure only to let other people raise it again...

Countryescape · 23/12/2019 07:55

How old are you and how much running do you do?

Original poster
Runningonempty84 · 23/12/2019 07:57

How old are you and how much running do you do?

I'm 35 and I run 30-ish miles a week as base training. More when I'm at the peak of marathon training.

OP posts:
LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 23/12/2019 07:58

How often do you see your family and how long are you staying for? If the answers are rarely and a day or two you should probably prioritise spending time with them. I enjoy spin classes and music I don't nip off to the gym or sit with headphones in when I'm visiting someone

BoogieFeet · 23/12/2019 07:58

Running harming your knees in comparison to a sedentary lifestyle is a myth. Sorry to hear they’re being so annoying.

Hope you have a lovely time on your runs. Maybe next Xmas you should ask exclusively for running related gifts...

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/12/2019 07:59

I had a friend who I've known since a teenager (who smokes, drinks, and takes drugs) message me very concerned because he was worried I was going to damage my knees. Really??

And my mother in law repeatedly telling me I didn't need to lose weight. If only they knew that actually it's bloody hard to lose weight with running, because I am ravenously hungry all the time!

I think people think the weightloss comments are them being kind, in some odd parallel way. And i definitely think that when someone makes dramatic changes to their lifestyle (eg diet, exercise) they hold a mirror up to others who see it as a criticism of their own poor diet and exercise habits.

Don't let it stop you though! Running is the single best thing I've ever done for my physical and mental health.

ClemDanFango · 23/12/2019 07:59

“Ok thanks for the advice” then do what you want and don’t give it another thought.

Original poster
Runningonempty84 · 23/12/2019 08:29

How often do you see your family and how long are you staying for?

I see them a lot - once or twice a month - but don't usually stay over, hence the running is never a Thing, as I get it done before or after I see them. Staying for 5 days atm.

OP posts:
Brimful · 23/12/2019 08:40

As you know I do a lot less running mileage than you, and I get this!

I get told how 'your grandfather needed a knee replacement, we have BAD knees in the family' and 'think about all that STRESS on the joints'.

It's all bullshit, it must come from envy/jealously, as it only comes from friends/family that don't exercise and have a million excuses for why.

You're awesome, ignore the comments and just roll your eyes as you put your trainers on Xmas Grin

Original poster
Runningonempty84 · 23/12/2019 08:47

You're awesome, ignore the comments and just roll your eyes as you put your trainers
Aw, thank you Grin just gearing up to head out in this rain!!

OP posts:
SimonJT · 23/12/2019 08:48

I get similar, I point that after my run/workout I will be a much nicer person.

1Morewineplease · 23/12/2019 08:55

You say “Every time I nip out for a run...”
Do you nip out several times a day?
As long as you fit your running around family activities then that’s fine.
I’d be miffed if you were staying at mine and nipped out during a game or buffet.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 23/12/2019 08:58

YANBU. My Mum tells me that I'll lose my face if I continue running "you have to choose your face or your body after 40, never both". What the fuck?

Ignore them and keep running; this time of year is a shit for not getting enough fresh air and endorphins.

ColaFreezePop · 23/12/2019 09:00

@1MoreWineplease sedentary people say this to others who do a lot more exercise than them regardless of how they fit it in.

If you go out on Christmas Day or Boxing Day at between 6-10am in my area you will see a lot of runners. Most of them are female. How can they be disturbing their families or disrupting meals?

OffTheShelfElf · 23/12/2019 09:02

I get this, too, from family and friends who just aren't into exercise. And my mum constantly warns me about how running will cause me to have a prolapse, since all my female relatives on her side have had them. I point out that since they all had prolapses anyway without exercising, I may as well crack on with the running.

CherryPlum · 23/12/2019 09:05

I can sort of see where they're coming from, as running is not natural in the way that walking is. There's no need for humans to run long distances regularly, and it can't be great for the body long-term, surely it wears the body down.

They are rude to keep on about it though. We all know running fanatics, and smile and nod and try not to look bored if they mention their recent running/route/timings/goals/new trainers 😂

AuntieStella · 23/12/2019 09:11

Continuous exercise/running is protective of your joints:

well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/

Humans are built to,jog/walk all day long (not sprint/tempo run, but as you say you are a marathon runner, you're way more like the former than the latter). Plus running is terrific for your cardio-vascular health and MH.

Just ignore them!

It might only stoke division if I suggested you talk incessantly about the Christmas Compendium - which to choose! - and your New Year Double

NoSauce · 23/12/2019 09:17

I’d be more worried about your face than your knees!

VivaLeBeaver · 23/12/2019 09:20

Yep, ignore them. And I say that as someone sat in hospital waiting to go to theatre to repair an "overuse" injury which the consultant says was caused by too much running. I don't believe a word he says and can't wait to get fixed and get running again. 😁

FalalalalaloreanFortescue · 23/12/2019 09:21

I admire people like you!

thenightsky · 23/12/2019 09:22

I used to have really creaky painful knees and then I took up running, despite all the tutting from my family. The running cured my knee issues. I'd say my knees have gone from being the most problematic joints in my body to now being the best ones! Keep running.