to think my knees are none of your concern..

[Runningonempty84]

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?!

Well, my knees are fecked from running, but I still do it as I like how I feel when I'm running (just not when I walk upstairs and sound like I'm ripping Velcro through each knee).

My mum is the same 'oh, have you been for a run?' Or 'I thought you ran every morning' with an accusing tone of voice.

I do more Hiit than running in general but she never mentions that.

I crack on regardless!

I already have osteoarthritis in my knees, though no worse than average for my age (late 50s) and consultant said to avoid high impact exercise, which presumably includes running but not cycling, swimming or lifting weights.

My uncle did a lot of running from a teen and did need knee replacements when in his 50’s. He trains others now rather than running himself.

But not a reason to stop. The other benefits are worth the potential damage later.

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

Non runners always love to pull this card when to runners. It’s absolute rubbish.

It's a complete fallacy that running is bad for your knees. If anything, the opposite is true.

In any event, running stops you getting or staying fat (if you do enough running/don't eat more to compensate for the expended calories), so there is less pressure on your knees.

That said, I think if you run marathons you are at risk of injuring yourself. They're really not that good for you. As with everything, moderation is fine. Training for a marathon isn't moderation so they might have a point there.

Meh, if you see them regularly and you're there for 5 days I see no harm in a run or two

If I reach a ripe old age, with my family history and my generally substandard level of bodily construction, I suspect that my joints are unlikely to all finish up as old as my teeth... So joint replacements as a fit healthy runner, or as an unfit, overweight sedentary person... it's a no brainer

Anyway they are wrong. Humans naturally were built to walk and run around. Running is good for the joints and improves bone density and develops stabilising muscles. I don't want to break bones in my 50s like DM.

If I end up with the kind of Christmas shuttling around from one relative's saggy sofa to another relative's saggy sofa, I end up feeling hideously, painfully stiff and creaky in days. Movement is so important, body and mind.

It's just something people say, non runners don't understand running.

In my case they were right though, haven't been able to run for years due to degenerative meniscus damage! Wouldn't change the years I had running for anything though, I loved it so much.

I start to feel creaky after periods of being sedentary. I’m looking forward to getting back into my exercise routine over the holiday.

I got a bit worried about the knee thing and running so I had a bit of a read up on it and it seems it’s probably protective of your knees if anything. Yes, the impact of landing each step is greater when running but it’s also shorter than when walking (your foot is on the ground for less time running). I think it’s supposed to keep joints and muscles quite toned. Anyway, as PP have said: the other health benefits are well worth it!

Running is terrible for your knees! All the runners, squash players I know have absolutely stuffed knees.

it's funny how non-runners always know best about running .

@Runningonempty84

Crack on lass, and fuk 'em. It's their insecurities, and jealousy, and they're projecting their issues onto you. They're idle and unmotivated and cannot be arsed.

I got shit like this over the years...

'Why you wanna lose weight, you're fine as you are.' (When I was 11 stone at 5 ft 4... OK not super huge, but in need of a bit of weight loss.) They couldn't bear the thought of me being thinner than them.

From single women... 'What do you wanna get MARRIED for? Why be tied down to a man? Why let a man own you? I am happy single and would never let a man own me!' (Still happily married after more than 2 decades.)

'Why d'ya want kids? You'll have no life.' (This came from people WITH kids as well as without!) Love my kids and never regretted having them for a second!

'What do you wanna go to New York for? It's a crime-ridden shithole, and always cold, and the people are all miserable.' Went for a week, and loved every moment, and the people were NOT miserable; in fact the ones we encountered were really friendly. And 'shocker'! We witnessed no crime. (It was cold though, but then it was December!) Obviously bitter than they weren't going.

Basically, people snipe and bitch at things you're doing, if they are jealous that they're not doing it (as they're not capable, or can't be bothered.)

Ignore, and carry on running. 🏃‍♀️ And people spouting vitriol like you should be worried about your knees or worried about your face, are just jealous and bitter, and almost always don't know what they're talking about!

In FACT, you have given me some motivation to start getting a bit fitter in 2020! 👟👟

I’m jealous OP! Have arthritis in both knees (don’t think it was due to running though - more due to a lot of kneeling next to childrens’ tables in a primary classroom. It was while jogging at the gym that I noticed the first twinges, and now am not supposed to do most of the exercises I like (very gentle running, stepper, rowing machine) and must learn to enjoy what DH calls “gentle arm wafting” . Can still swim though, so all good. Enjoy your running - just avoid the puddles!

It might be jealousy from some people but some runners sound like cultists.

Nipping out to perform a hobby when visiting family and friends is rude. If you can't go a few days without performing the hobby that's an addiction.

If you can't go a few days without performing the hobby that's an addiction.

This made me laugh! Yes, terrible to do something that's good for your mental and physical health.

Comparing running to alcoholism or drug addiction isn't daft at all!

Better join the rest of the family sitting on the sofa stuffing chocs

@Allmyfavouritepeople what is the problem in having an hour to yourself even if you are visiting family and friends? Presumably you wouldn't have a go at someone for walking the dog, reading the newspaper, doing the crossword etc -how is it any different? Do you genuinely spend all your waking hours actively engaging with your family and friends when you visit them? I would find that so suffocating if I was the family or friend being visited

YANBU. Some people just like to be critical, I think. I'm into powerlifting. I'm a beginner, so I'm not lifting incredibly heavy weights, but I'm already getting concerned family members saying I should be careful I don't get bulky, or that I shouldn't deadlift because I'll hurt my back. The usual suggestion is that I take up cardio instead. I'm fairly sure that if I did start running, I'd get comments like the ones your relatives are making instead!

My knees are perfect....I had 2 new ones put in. So I swim a lot now....yes today, yes its nearly Christmas, yes I will go tomorrow and maybe Wednesday ...

My SIL is like this. She took up running until some kidney problems reappeared and she thought it was ageing her. Could've told her that myself, but hey, her body her hobby. She can do what she likes. When this kind of exercise no longer agrees with you, I'm sure u'll give it up. My SIL is now into surf. Good for her.

When did you arrive and how many runs have you been on?

I used to run a lot, and some people always had an issue with it. As it happens, running is good for my knees. No point in taking advice from people who don’t exercise about how exercise might affect you :)

see previous comments about it being a cult. Us normies just don't understand.

I'd compare running to cycling and golfing rather than a crossword and how many threads are there on here about cyclists!

I'm off swimming now

If your staying for five days, how long have you been there already? If not long, what they've done this once or twice?

*If you can't go a few days without performing the hobby that's an addiction.

This made me laugh! Yes, terrible to do something that's good for your mental and physical health.*

Exercise addiction is a thing.

Just ignore them if they mention it. Or if they get too much say something like "well what about all the chocs/mince pies you're wating?" But that wont go well!