Understanding Journeys of Becoming a Runner - Jen Benson (Pt2) - Meaningful Sport Series

Physical Activity Researcher

In this episode, we explore the journeys of novice runners and how they develop their runner identities. What are the experiences of developing a running body and identity? How do the novice runners navigate the bodily discomforts and the body that is "fighting back"?

In addition to the research topic itself, we discuss the potential of using running forums as data and netnography as a methodology. Furthermore, we explore phenomenology as a research philosophy and why it is a promising way of exploring sporting experiences.

Jen Benson is a writer and an author of several guidebooks on adventures, running and walking, and a PhD student at Liverpool John Moores University. She has recently published a book titled “The Wild Year” which tells the story of how she and her family spent a full year living in a tent in different parts of the UK. We explored this personal story in the first part of the conversation.

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Liked this episode? Other episodes on runners include Prof. John Kaag on running as a way to flee the absurdity of human existence and Prof. Emmanuelle Tulle on Veteran runners.