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.
Why Do We Talk The Way We Do?
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.
“Your energy flows where attention goes.”
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.
53 comments
Franci
100% agree with Terri and Jamie (and for context, I’m a South African female runner)
Ralph
You Killed that article. The matriarchy Strikes again.
Nix
Love this!! Thanks Meg!
Emily
Oh wow, I LOVED that “flip of the script” you gave us, Meg! It was so powerful to have that 180-degrees-different linguistic example right there. I really felt the difference. And I agree that there are plenty of ways to energize and “psych” each other and ourselves up for sport without using combative, warlike language. Thank you for your wise insights!
roule le roux
Thanks Meg, I am paying attention and will keep shaping the way I speak and write.
Donnee
A cool little article, like having a chat with a friend and mulling over concepts or ideas. With all this war in the world at the moment it’s easy to become aware or triggered by certain phrases or terms. Finding where they are in our daily society, in particular trail running, is also a eye opening exercise. I’ve always been someone who wishes to speak with good intent, and thoroughly enjoyed your insight into the language we use on trails. Thank you Meg!
Ash
Assuming that war language is patriarchal is offensive, as I am a female warrior.
heleenmills
Great point of view, Meg! There are so many nuances with language and words, especially when it comes to self-talk. And as you rightfully mention… “Your energy flows where attention goes.”!
Progress
Ok boomer.
Ferran
Eye of the Tiger just got canceled
Emma
Thanks Meg, great article and really thought provoking.
Sarah
Imagine a world where there was no war, fighting, violence… maybe it goes right back down to a granular level where within our daily actions, the language we use can change our approach of needing to over power another person or thing, but rather uplifting each other and ourselves, not to the detriment of another.
To change out default narrative of how we describe what we do, what motivates us. Let it be ok for that language to be more about peaceful actions, celebration, and not focusing in on fight or flight responses. But living in harmony with each other and our surrounds and celebrating those triumphs. Toning down our egos.
Imagine if someone tried to write an article that’s purpose was to encourage a shift in our default mindsets.
Oh hell no. Let’s miss the point completely and slay the person trying to make a very valid point in a world that really needs us to change the narrative.
Sarah
Well this is hilarious. At the risk of starting an internet debate (can you tell I’m procrastinating?), I think you’ve missed the point. The trail community loves competition, but is also so beautifully encouraging and supportive of each other’s successes, even at a podium level (I think – I’ve never stood on a podium. But just from an external perspective.)
So why not change the language we use to report the sport to reflect more of the culture of the sport? Yeah, competition is an element of the sport, but it’s not so all-consuming as media sometimes reports purely through their choice of language. Let’s make sure we report and communicate the joy, beauty, peace, inclusiveness, encouragement, fun AND competitiveness of the sport, rather than only reporting the competitiveness.
Mary T.
After cringing through this article from the aspiring professional victim, I noticed an unrelated article at the bottom. It is titled, “Trail running: it ain’t about bein’ fancy Emily Halnon reminds us that, at its core, trail running is simply about playing in the dirt.” Sound advice for this OP: get out more and be around more people. You apparently spend too much time living under a rock and expecting everyone to cave to your self inflicted insecurities.
Steve Freese
If my day went well, I didn’t even notice anyone else on the trail. Except for the excellent volunteers a few other runners who said, “hello” or “you got this” or “you doing ok?”
Save the macho shit for gym class…oh yeah that was high school.
Drew Williams
Candace P. Thank you!
Kelly Christine Weber
Humans will never be able to crush or dominate nature. Thank you Meg, realistically this has nothing to do with gender performance. Nature will always win. I am a person who runs for peace, joy, fun, community, and respect for nature. If you are out running trails and ultras for domination, good luck! Nature will always have the last laugh if runners continue to speak in terms of war and conquest.
Virginia
Yes! Words matter ;-0
Candace P
This article, and some of these comments, can be dumbed down to “How dare people in this otherwise inclusive sport celebrate others’ accomplishments and motivations in a way that threatens my sensitivity to words! My self righteous feminist arrogance and infinitely grifting victimhood dictates how others need to speak, think, and act. It is my duty, as a culturally oppressed female, to speak out on these micro aggressive, historically masculine, internalized violent hate words and phrases. Any speech I hate is LiTeRaLy hate speech. Any actions I determine wrong are deep rooted in hate. Anything I perceive as masculine is an attack on our collective feminine rights. The collective goal is to divide and concur in order to be as inclusive as possible. Feminists and sympathetic soy boy cucks unite as one! Divide those who we believe hate us so we can once again live in a world of togetherness and love!”
Seriously, grow up and get on with running.
Kate
Love this!
Anna
Thank you Meg! Well put!
Andre Moncheur
Let the swearers swear, the non swearer use more respectful words and accept diversity.
I personally have a major problem with the F word or anything resembling it, I can make a point without being vulgar but some people cannot.
Variety is the spice of life let us remember that we have something in common: we love to run and stretch ourselves big time.
If foul language is unbearable to you let me suggest that you pick up long distance swimming which I did a fair share of, nobody uses any language long distance swimming, period, end of the story.
wonjin
It’s sad that someone would think that caring about competition and winning is something limited to athletes who identify as masculine. There are so many people-without-penises who enjoy winning, running faster than the others who came out wanting to beat them, or even just performing at a level superior to their own previous record. Personally I don’t have a body and mind that perform at that level, but I don’t try to criticize those who do, or claim that they have a “language problem”. I embrace uphills, dance downhills, float through the flowery forests, and recognize there’s room for those of us just having fun as well as honoring those who compete to be the single winner who is fastest, best, and superior in competition.
Hart K.
Joe really crushed that sensitive state of interoception that allows using neither too much nor too little capacity in the context of the day, the terrain, the weather, the training background, and the point in the event!
Destiny
“Male dominated sport!! Omg, the patriarchy!! Words are violence! Silence is consent!” Okay cool. Now do trans athletes. Two genders do or don’t mean two genders? I’m cool fighting the patriarchy by allowing women to run with men and vice versa. Oh wait. They already do. Now, if you fools calling for changing the language in the name of equity truly want equity… make one single category and include everyone. Just overall win and one podium. That promotes the definition of equity and distances the purpose of equality.
Some of you are apparently too dumb to see the irony here. You’re promoting inclusion through division.
Nick
You’re picking out nuggets to match your title. Certainly the phrases you refer to are used but so are a lot of others that you decided not to include. When you toe the line at a race, it is a competition and when we compete man or women we tend to use warrior style terms to enhance performance and psyche and crowds apply those terms to either sex as they cheer. When we go for a relaxed run through the woods we fuel the soul and enjoy the little things in nature. We all run for our own reasons and if your reason is to crush and set a course record – good for you!
Chris D
Thanks for writing this, Meg! I love the positivity and kindness. Great job!
Shaun
Well written, Meg! We need to ask ourselves not only “do we agree that the only (or best) way to describe striving and victory is with violent metaphors?” But also, “what kind of world do we want to be building?” Too many of us are operating from an assumption that competition and violence are the natural state of our species, which evolutionary biology and cultural anthropology left behind a generation ago because that narrative simply doesn’t account for the facts. (Skeptics should check out the work of David Sloane Wilson) But here’s the big dilemma of our time; if you choose to live as if human nature is to live a life that is “nasty, poor, brutish, and short,” you will be right. If you choose to live as if cooperation and sharing are the way to the best life,” you will also be right.
Rose
Trail running has been a male-dominated sport for a long time, and this is so evident in the language we use. I agree it’s time to drop the war-oriented toxic masculinity and embrace new language to describe our strength. Great article, Meg.
Jamie
Agreed. It also seems like this doesn’t take into account the competitive person that WANTS to crush a course. Not everyone that runs trails is as passive in the way it’s being portrayed in this piece . And to say that men are exclusive to the warrior mindset and women don’t have a “warrior” mindset is totally disregarding an entire pillar of character in a person. As Robert Moore said “you can’t just take a vote and cast the Warrior out”. It’s a part of the human experience. It’s just the outlet it’s used. If we’re “destroying humans” then obviously it’s terrible. If we’re “destroying PRs” then obviously it’s great! Language has intentioned spirit to it. So in the spirit of performance and elevating yourself I see nothing wrong with crushing your doubts and destroying PRs.
Terrie
I knew the patriarchy was evil when all those women pretentiously claimed Des Linden “killed it today.” Or when Courtney Dauwalter “absolutely crushes” any race. Or when Beth Pascall ran “the second fastest in women’s history” or “dominated the women’s field.” ?
Your sensitivity and hypocrisy displayed in this article is an embarrassment to the females out here who crush it and trigger your soft, limp emotions.
James
LOL! This is a very naïve article that attempts to compel one’s thoughts while never once thinking of the consequences that they may have. This frail civilized society we live in allows you to question “Aggressive Language”. Humans are both Savage and Compassionate. Both are needed to survive in society. Our aggressive nature is what fuels innovation and strong will to compete and push ourselves and society. Curbing our langue as such will also curb our desires and will. Unless you disagree with your initial statement? It’s not compassion that built society, and it will not be compassion that saves it. (If you don’t believe me ask a Ukrainian.) The metaphor of battle is used because running is a Battle like the nature you described in the beginning. Like a Predator you feed off the energy of those in front of you. You push yourself to catch them. The People behind you, push you, because of your primitive survival instinct not to be caught. Nature is full of battles in the quite literal sense. The fox you see on the trail is there because it concurred and devoured some smaller creature. Its OK to be Offended or Weak in our society, however the survival of society is grounded by the competitive and strong, innovators who rank high in aggressive traits. What do you think would happen if the aggressive Language was removed from these people? Nature is Cruel and unforgiving like the trails we run. I would encourage Meg to write a counter article from a clinical psychologist point of view if “Aggressive Langue” was removed from Running or our Society.
josephsamuel
People have different reasons for running. And one person can have multiple reasons on different runs. Sometimes I run solo, long runs in nature to see beauty and find serenity. Other times I “compete” in 50 K’s, though I never finish better than mid-pack. Competition drives most organized races, both for men and women, and competition has its roots in war.
Organized sports are by definition competitions, and competitions are a simulacrum of war. They have their roots in war: running and throwing events, wresting, and contact sports like football and rugby are close descendants. Every organized sport includes competition between teams, individuals, or individuals and the environment. Running is no different. But unlike in war, sports are considered in most cases friendly competition. The question is: Is the language creating a problem?
In my 13 years of running, I have never seen anyone demean anyone else or do anything untoward in competition. I’ve told countless people that they, “are crushing it,” because I think that they are when I see the effort on their face, whether they are first or last. Yes, the language is inherently warlike, but that is the root of sport. People may run to be, “in tune with nature and connected to the trail,” as I am sometimes, but a race is an inherently competitive event. I love to get out there and mix it up in races, pass and get passed by other runners, and when I see them at the end of the race, it’s all smiles, congratulations, and good humor.
The fact is that as far as I know, there is no problem with aggression in trail running. This essay is a solution to a problem that does not exist.
Monty
As with all things the context matters and my reading of the article is that it’s not about censorship or suggesting that you stop using any particular language if that doesn’t interest you. Instead it’s about opening one’s eyes to the language we use and the implications of that language to someone of a different gender or culture or upbringing. It’s in being mindful of not only what we say but how we say it. The message to be kind and empathetic is never a trivial one and should never be dismissed out of hand. Exactly like we need to respect the opinions of those that don’t find value in the article, those that don’t find value should equally respect that it may speak to others and not dismiss it out of hand. I for one as a coach of a number of elite runners think that creating an environment for the athletes to perform from a place of love and kindness is a richly rewarding and often more sustainable approach to sport. Of course there are many examples where athletes have succeeded using anger or aggression to drive them. One is not right or wrong, instead it’s about understanding the context of why and what emotions the athlete is able to harness and then looking at how sustainable that is in the long run.
Doug
This is spot on. And the reaction is telling too- nothing like challenging the patriarchy to bring out a defensive posture. C’mon, guys, let’s all be open to the possibility that our language is skewed and needs some rethinking. Language matters, and it’s filled with seemingly “throw-away” phrases that show off our usually-invisible biases– in this case, a violent framing of trail running and racing. These biases are everywhere in our language, and acknowledging them is the first step towards creating the society we want. It starts with us. Let’s not be so fragile that we can’t have the discussion openly and calmly. Excellent article– and thanks to Ultrasignup for publishing it. Great job, Meg!
Bex
Wow, the overall difference between the male and female responses to this article is stark. That just illustrates how correct you are. Look how offended the men got! How dare anyone even SUGGEST a different way of thinking! THAT’S CENSORSHIP!! I get it, it’s always “censorship” if the establishment is the one being called out, even though in this article no one is promoting any kind of suppression . Thanks Meg for this article. I agree that a mental rephrase can make a world of difference during a tough time. Actually saying the rephrase out loud at best makes our sport more inclusive (and lord knows we need that) and at worst causes some grumbling about “being too woke” (whatever that means).
Slowman
Great article. You crushed it. But you sort of bombed the opposite side of the wording. A blitzkrieg start and a surrender finish.
Marianne
Is it okay to say Dewalter AND Walmsley crushed it? Killed it? Because your soy beta cuck type language matters here.
Bruce Utsey
Indeed. Those words are a manifistation of a violent and a dominance driven culrure. They are the words of small egos seeking some warped sense of validation. And they are also the words of those who have never had a DNF at 70 miles into a 100 and learned some humility.
cory m
This desire to reframe conversations & experiences into rainbows and lollipops – please stop pushing censorship! When I embrace beast mode, the happy tears are due to the finish line coming into sight.
goteambravery
Sorry, Meg, but that dog won’t hunt. I write for a living and strongly believe that words do matter and certainly understand your well-meaning intent with the article. But I also believe that we should be open to diversity in expression and acknowledge that we all come from different backgrounds and carry that culture in our vocabulary. I want to continue to share mine and especially want to continue to hear a wide variety of other expressions, including your own special way of denoting achievements and accomplishments. I do believe we would agree that each of us should take into account our audience when speaking and how we express ourselves. Crudity is often out of place.
Rachel Warner
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!
Dr. Rob Bell
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!
Seanrodg
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.
Gordon FunkGordon
Love and totally support the intent and vibe of this article. You totally ‘nailed’ it. 🙂
Megan
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!
Bill Williamson
Lol, language matters, but censorship of responses to “our” language above all. The woke here is too much.
Al
You really obliterated this article! Great job! Way to pull the trigger and get your woke opinion out to everyone!
Heath Grissinger
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.
Robert Miller
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.
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