Meg Mackenzie explores trail running's macho language problem.
Have you ever noticed the amount of war language we use in everyday life? We ‘roll with the punches’ at home, ‘pull the trigger’ on an exciting project, fire off ‘bullet points’ in a work email, and get ‘caught in the crossfire’ of a dispute. We call problems ‘ticking time bombs’ and sometimes we horrifyingly call women ‘blonde bombshells’. To be clear; bombshells are “large-caliber projectiles fired by artillery-armored fighting vehicles during war.” If you find this sexually attractive you might want to see a therapist.
But let’s get to trail running; a beautiful fringe sport with a natural connection to nature, peace, and joy in the mountains. Despite this obvious connection as a spirited, soul-filling activity – nearly all the common phrases and terms we use to talk about running and racing are heavily focused on patriarchal-enforcing qualities or war language. Often we compare running a trail race with going to battle. We ‘obliterate’ course records, ‘crush’ our competitors, ‘defend’ our titles and ‘dominate’ the field. All these words imply that, in order to succeed, we need to beat another into submission.
But one person shining shouldn’t come at the cost of ‘crushing’ another person (or a mountain!). And this surely shouldn’t be what we celebrate on the trails or in society.
There is nothing inherently domineering about the pure desire to shine. My light shining brightly doesn’t suggest that your flame needs to be extinguished.. Rather, this is a false narrative we have been taught through generations of books, myths, and in history classes. Stories of winning and losing, beating, retreating, and defending have flooded our minds and language from the very beginning which is why it is so deeply internalized that we even apply it to something as peaceful as trail running.
You may have overheard people talking about trail racing in this way:
“Wasn’t it so cool seeing Jo obliterate the course record at the Worlds Gnarliest Hardcore Death Defying 100-mile yesterday?”
“Yeah he totally dominated that field, nobody else stood a chance. He crushed the uphills and killed the competition…”
“Whoa and did you see him annihilate John on that downhill? That was so badass. He totally owned it; what a hero. It was killer. Go Jo!”
Now let’s have some fun and flip this. Have you ever heard someone describing a race with non-violent language?
“Did you see Jo run the Spirit Soaring 50k out of sheer joy over the weekend?”
“Yeah it was so awesome to see him embrace those uphills. He really encouraged everyone as he went too. Did you see his happy tears on that flowing downhill?”
“Yes, he expresses himself in such an admirable way – so intune with nature and connected with the trail.
He is such a caring athlete too, so sensitive to his fellow runners. Go Jo!”
Language matters. The words we use frame our experiences and define our culture. They shape our stories and dictate the narrative. Adjusting and playing with different language can begin a process that describes the full experience of complex human reality instead of just one side of it. What if we could blend it all together, tempering male encoded language of warriorship, stoicism and power with empathy, giving weight to love and nurture?
“Your energy flows where attention goes.” We’ve all heard the saying in some way or form and it informs why language is so important. If we continue to pay attention to violent language and hierarchical ways of describing situations that is what will prevail.
Trail running does not exist in a vacuum. It’s part of the larger narrative that currently exists in the world. Perhaps, next time you tell a story of your favorite athlete or race – play with language that reflects that world you hope to live in.
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I love this! Thanks for writing this important piece. Language does matter and I love the idea that your light shining doesn’t mean mine is extinguished. We’re all brighter together 🙂
The boredom of running has devolved to this. It’s like you have a solution and create a problem in order to test that solution. Serious mental gymnastics here.
Do you ever think we spend too much time criticizing our use of language? If I crush a course I am doing no harm to others, and truly doing no harm to the course. If I obliterate a course record or dominate a field (which I wouldn’t do in a real race) am I being mean or just expressing the results. I wonder if we have become too concerned with words that actually don’t harbor ill will that we have no energy left over for those that actually do and can’t get them changed.
You really obliterated this article! Great job! Way to pull the trigger and get your woke opinion out to everyone!
Lol, language matters, but censorship of responses to “our” language above all. The woke here is too much.
Thanks for writing this! I am trying to be more aware of the presence of masculinity and associated violence in our culture and the lack feminine presence, and seek more nurturing and caring feelings and environments with other people. This brings that awareness to another arena I never would have thought of, juxtaposed on the serenity of being out on the trail. It’s helpful to recognize and therefore allow that peace to be more present!
Love and totally support the intent and vibe of this article. You totally ‘nailed’ it. 🙂
What a radiating read and an uplifting subject handled with kindness and shining insight. I’m a believer Meg my friend. What we speak influences our thoughts and feelings as well as those of others. Let’s raise the banner of love and generosity and fill the trails with positive uplifting language.
I see the point. The mere suggestion of those linguistics makes me pause however. I fail to see trail runners discussion about “crushing” any other competitors. I have yet to hear much of the speak suggested in “beating another into submission.” That said, totally “crushing hills” , “breaking a course record” ,”being a badass” are suggested that these are bad terms or somehow perpetuate a false narrative, because they are masculine. Females are the toughest one’s in this sport without a doubt, and calling Courtney Dewaulter, Sally McRae, or Maggie Guterl “a Badass” fits!
Hi there!!!! I’m a social worker/therapist and also a trail runner and all I have to say is what amazing insights you gave in this article! Well done and well put!!!! I love it and I have shared it with so many others already!