Becoming a long-distance runner – deriving pleasure and contentment in times of pain and bodily distress

ABSTRACT

This paper indicates the way beginner long-distance runners learn to derive pleasure and contentment (‘runner’s high’) in times of pain and bodily distress. It is based on Becker’s theoretical framework of using marihuana (marijuana) for pleasure. Although pain resulting from long-distance running has been widely explored sociologically, little has been written regarding the process of deriving pleasure from the pain. An ethnographic research design was implemented for three years in two running teams, using a combination of participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and online running websites. Key findings illustrate three coherent stages a novice runner must experience in order to become a long-distance runner and enjoy the pain: (1) learning the proper running technique required to experience positive effects; (2) recognizing the effects of pain and their connection with running; and (3) enjoying the effects of pain caused by running. The paper highlights the way feeling high from long-distance running can be achieved through a process of socialization conveyed by the runner’s peer group. Only if novice runners are persistent and capable of interpreting their bodily sensations as a state of pleasure or relaxation will they be able to continue with distance running.

KEYWORDS:

• Long-distance running
• pain
• runner’s high
• Becker’s perspective
• ethnography

Acknowledgment

The author wishes to thank Dr. Judy Featherman for her helpful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Assaf Lev

Dr Assaf Lev is a social anthropologist at the Department of Sports Therapy, Ono Academic College, Israel and at the Academic College at Sammy Ofer School of Communications Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel. He earned his Ph.D. from Haifa University, Israel, specializing in Social Anthropology. As a former professional basketball player and current sports therapist, his research interests are in sports anthropology - body and pain, identities, age, and leisure-time physical activity.