An Exploration of the Co-production of Performance Running Bodies and Natures Within “Running Taskscapes”

Howe, P. David; Morris, Carol

doi:10.1177/0193723509340007

Cited by 46 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Upon first inspection many of the participants appeared to adopt a romantic view of nature, in that trail building was described as a means of accessing remote, 'untouched' spaces that facilitated a sense of awe and wonder, specifically those that they associated with 'wild places' (Steve), 'biodiversity' (John), 'solitude' (Christine) and 'being outside' (Andy, Steve). Accordingly, individuals also described the way in which 'Nature' could be 'tasked' (Ingold 2000) in the interests of health and fitness (Howe and Morris 2009), skill acquisition/development (Krein 2014) and environmental conservation (Mansfield 2009). As John puts it when describing his motivations for digging: 'It's like an outdoor gym … I think: "right, I've had a slovenly week, I've eaten too much… how much soil can I move around?"'…”

Section: Nature As Spectrementioning

confidence: 99%

Spectres of Nature in the Trail Building Assemblage

Cherrington

Black

2019

Int J Sociol Leis

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Through research that was conducted with mountain bike trail builders, this article explores the processes by which socio-natures or 'emergent ecologies' are formed through the assemblage of trail building, mountain bike riding and matter. In moving conversations about 'Nature' beyond essentialist readings and dualistic thinking, we consider how ecological sensibilities are reflected in the complex, lived realities of the trail building community. Specifically, we draw on Morton's (2017) notion of the 'symbiotic real' to examine how participants connect with a range of objects and non-humans, revealing a 'spectral' existence in which they take pleasure in building material features that are only partially of their creation. Such 'tuning' to the symbiotic real was manifest in the ongoing battle that the trail builders maintained with water. This battle not only emphasized the fragility of their trail construction but also the temporal significance of the environments that these creations were rendered in/with. In conclusion, we argue that these findings present an ecological awareness that views nature as neither static, inert or fixed, but instead, as a temporal 'nowness', formed from the ambiguity of being in and with nature. Ecologically, this provides a unique form of orientation that re-establishes the ambiguity between humans and nature, without privileging the former. It is set against this ecological (un)awareness that we believe a reorientation can be made to our understandings of leisure, the Anthropocene and the nature-culture dyad.

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Section: Nature As Spectrementioning

confidence: 99%

Spectres of Nature in the Trail Building Assemblage

Cherrington

Black

2019

Int J Sociol Leis

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“…Thus, investigating what types of bodies are included or excluded from the CrossFit space can help answer the question, "who can be (Cross)fit?" Spatial analysis has frequently served as the entry point for investigations of physical and sporting subcultures, including queer running clubs (van Ingen, 2004), skateboarders (Drissel, 2013), British bodybuilders (Andrews, Sudwell, & Sparkes, 2005), female bodybuilders (Johnston, 1996), long distance runners (Howe & Morris, 2009), Japanese fitness clubs (Spielvogel, 2002), ultimate frisbee leagues (Griggs, 2009), and surfers (Booth, 2004;Waitt, 2008).…”

Section: Ted M Butryn San Jose State Universitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Chasing Rx: A Spatial Ethnography of the CrossFit Gym

Crockett¹,

Butryn²

2018

Sociology of Sport Journal

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CrossFit is a group fitness program that incorporates a variety of weightlifting and gymnastic movements performed at high intensities. While scholars have examined CrossFit’s physiological and behavioral outcomes, few studies have examined the program’s psychological and sociological characteristics. Drawing from Henning Eichberg’s work on spatial geography, this 5-month ethnographic study examined the space and place of two CrossFit gyms as an introduction to a broader discussion on CrossFit subculture and evolving discourses about the body, health, and fitness. Specifically, the gyms’ location, layout, and open arrangement of moving bodies revealed three major themes about CrossFit space: a place that blurs the line between exercise and menial labor in an otherwise sedentary and technologized society; a place that is inclusive specifically in terms of gender, age, and ability, yet exclusive socioeconomically; and a faux-elite sporting place that inadvertently produces wild and untamed bodily movements. Results of the study suggest that CrossFit’s popularity in recent years portends a dramatic shift in the social function of recreational fitness toward forms of exercise that are more inclusive, and yet at the same time are more socially competitive and hierarchical.

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“…Through their experience of running and their gradual immersion into its associated subcultures individuals would seem to develop distinct runner identities. This set of conclusions is then further amplified if we also include qualitative work on semi-professional and elite runners (see Bale, 2004;Howe and Morris, 2009). …”

Section: Existing Qualitative Research and The Apparent Socialitymentioning

confidence: 99%

How ‘social’ is recreational running? Findings from a qualitative study in London and implications for public health promotion

Hitchings

Latham

2017

Health & Place

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Recreational running is increasingly widespread and could therefore be seen as the obvious target for those hoping to encourage greater public health through exercise. Existing qualitative research on this topic has, however, tended to focus on groups of highly committed runners. It is accordingly unclear whether their findings can be extrapolated to the much larger population of comparatively casual runners. This existing work has also tended to emphasise the social nature of the activity in particular ways. Whilst much recreational running happens alone, most commonly these studies have centred on the establishment of shared identities and group subcultures. Drawing on a study involving accompanied runs and interviews with recreational runners who do not belong to running clubs in London, this paper presents an alternative account. These respondents were relatively uninterested in the idea of proper running technique, ambivalent about the presence of others when running, and reticent about being pulled into a more committed collective practice. In view of how these more casual runners may be of particular interest to public health promoters, this finding suggests future campaigns might do well not to focus too greatly on the potential enjoyments of running community membership and start instead with a different set of social dynamics. Key Points• Qualitative research on recreational running can tend to overplay its social character• Casual runners do not see themselves as part of a collective subculture • Instead they have an ambivalent and limited engagement with others when running• Casual runners might therefore be indifferent to certain health promotion messages

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An Exploration of the Co-production of Performance Running Bodies and Natures Within “Running Taskscapes”

Cited by 46 publications

References 28 publications

Spectres of Nature in the Trail Building Assemblage

Spectres of Nature in the Trail Building Assemblage

Chasing Rx: A Spatial Ethnography of the CrossFit Gym

How ‘social’ is recreational running? Findings from a qualitative study in London and implications for public health promotion

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