Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Artist Statement



For my final project I have decided to put together a photo essay blog. Within this blog I will incorporate ideas from Stuart Hall, Michael Warner, and Anderson with regards to imagined communities, cultural roots, and perceptions of time.  

The goal is to gain perspectives from a variety of people with different backgrounds in the sport of running. I also want to collect photos from runners that say something about what running means to them or how they perceive running.

I have incorporating a survey as a part of technological popular culture to reveal various things about running and compiled the information into a blog. In doing so I have learned that there are not two runners that are alike. Runners have different preferences about where they run, who they run with, when they run, how time passes when they run, if they race, goals they have, etc. However, although there are not two runners that are exactly the same there are many similarities and common goals that overlap among runners to create an imagined community.

To address the cultural critique I focused on taking looking at what people said rather than what pictures were submitted. I initially thought I was going to focus more on the images that were sent to me and figure out a way to use them in the cultural critique aspect of this project. However, I discovered that in the process of producing my blog and getting survey results that what people had to say about running was much more interesting than the pictures I got (not to say that the pictures were not interesting). Also, not everyone sent in a picture that completed the survey. Therefore, not only were there more interesting things said but there was a greater quantity of things being said in general. As for the popular culture production I compiled the blog using information I got from a survey I put together. I also created two other pages, one is a photo page from photos people sent me, and the other is a video that I created about running. All of these I felt were relevant for my topic and this project.

In creating this blog I gained a greater sense of my imagined running community and have been inspired, encouraged, and supported by friends, family, family friends, and complete strangers. I have gained a deeper and broader appreciation and understanding for the sport through the words of people taking my survey and relating it to various anthropological works. I hope that others that see this blog can take something away from it to their benefit like I did in the process of creating it.

I also want to thank everyone that took my survey and/or sent me a running picture. I could not have done this project without you!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Final Thoughts

Here are some other thoughts people had after completing the survey:

"Running is a sport that will prevail for a long time because of how natural it is for the human body"

"I think runners are mentally tough and disciplined. These are good attributes for people in anything they do"

"I hate when sports use running as a punishment. Running is the reward!"

"It's a hard sport to get into but once you do its hard to get out; kind of really addicting"

"Running is very hard for me, but very rewarding. Sometimes, when I'm running, I get this huge sense of appreciation and gratitude for the world. Only if I'm running outside, though. I will put my hands above my head and praise something, someone. I don't think this happens to me in any other everyday, normal aspect of my life."

"I truly hope that there is a shift towards people being more active rather than being a 'fast food generation'"

"It's such a HUGE part of my life, I can't imagine not having it." 

"Running is all about being healthy and having fun with friends!"

"I believe running can make you a happier, more positive individual. I have found on a personal level it has helped me remove negative people and negatively in general from my life."

"I had a much younger friend tell me recently I was an inspiration to her and that made me happy."

"I have found that the running community tends to have a bias against people that do not exercise regularly, especially overweight individuals. Kind of a superiority complex."


Going back to the goal of this blog I have tried to incorporate ideas from Stuart Hall, Michael Warner, and Anderson with regards to imagined communities, cultural roots, and perceptions of time to running. The goal is to gain perspectives from a variety of people with different backgrounds in the sport of running. I have incorporating a survey as a part of technological popular culture to reveal various things about running and compiled the information into a blog. In doing so I have learned that there are not two runners that are alike. Runners have different preferences about where they run, who they run with, when they run, how time passes when they run, if they race, goals they have, etc. However, although there are not two runners that are exactly the same there are many similarities and common goals that overlap among runners to create an imagined community.

Running in Popular Culture

The popular defined by several anthropologists in a variety of ways. Here are some definitions:

Grazian: “well-liked,” “well-known,” “commercial media,” or “belonging to the people,” (6).


Freccero: “the everyday terrain of people,” (14) 


Culture is also defined by anthropologists in a variety of ways. Here are their definitions:

Grazian: “a mode of living in the world as a social being, as represented by the practices, rituals, behaviors, activities, and artifacts that make up the experience of everyday life,” (9).


Freccero: “the everyday practices, representations, and cultural productions of people and post-industrial society,” (13).


Hall: “changing and uneven relations of force,” (449)

“a sort of constant battlefield” between the interpretations of elites and the people (447).

“Popular culture is all those things that ‘the people’ do or have done. This close to an ‘anthropological’ definition of the term: the culture, mores, customs, and folkways of ‘the people’. What defines their ‘distinctive way of life’” (Hall, 448)

“Popular forms become enhanced in cultural value, go up the cultural escalator – and find themselves on the opposite side”

By these definitions of the popular and culture running can be seen as an aspect of popular culture today.

“It seems to me that the cultural process – cultural power – in our society depends, in the first instance, on this drawing of the line, always in each period in a different place, as to what is to be incorporated into ‘the great’ tradition and what is not. Educational and cultural institutions, along with the many positive things they do, also help to discipline and police this boundary” (450)

Responses from the survey seemed to largely be in support of the fact that running is growing as a part of societies popular culture:


"I think that running is a relatively positive aspect of our popular culture since runners are typically seen as being healthy and as not being lazy" 


"Running is such a great exercise and can be used to spread awareness and for fun. It's definitely a big part of culture today. A lot of fundraisers are focused on runs or walks" 


"It is now cool to be a runner. People still think we are crazy" 


"I think running has become more of a cultural norm as our nation is slowly making a conscious shift to become more fit."


"I feel that running, along with other sports, is becoming more popular! Today there are many "fun" events such as the "Mud Run" and the "Color Run" that encourage people who normally don't run to get out there and run a quick 5K and have fun being active." 

This individual makes a great point that there are these novelty runs that are put on in major cities that attract huge numbers of people. These runs are more for fun and don't attract as many serious racers but it shows that running and the excitement that comes with these events attracts a huge part of society. When the Color Run came to seattle it sold out in the first hour that it was open for public registration. This shows just how much interest there is for people to participate in a running event that is fun to do with friends but also benefits chosen charities. 

"Running is becoming more and more trendy. I still have friends who think I'm crazy and I have others who used to mock me suddenly nipping at my heels."


"Running fits in well as there is a trend over the past few years for less couch sitting and more fitness."

"I think running is a part of main stream society today in the USA. There has been a growing trend toward more physically active people and healthy eating habits. You see it on television and in most neighborhoods." 


"I think it is most plugged in because of the popularity of runs for charity. Also, it is an accessible sport in terms of affordability." 


In response to this question many people recognized that todays society is attracted to the trend of trying to incorporate health and fitness more into daily life. 


When the summer olympic games come around every 4 years there is a large spotlight on sports and active lifestyles. This helps encourage, motivate, and support this lifestyle that people are aiming towards. Also, a friend of mine told me that at a job interview for a swim coaching job the lady that was conducting the interview talked about how there would be more kids this year because they are excited and pumped up about joining a sport.   

This is in support of Halls statement that a common sense meaning of the popular is that "the things which are said to be ‘popular’ because masses of people listen to them by them, read them, consume them, and seem to enjoy them to the full” (466). 
Masses and masses of people from all over the world are excited to watch athletes compete in their sport and in doing so it makes the sports become more appreciated, appealing, and exciting. Therefore, helping running become intertwined further into todays popular culture.

Another statement by Stuart Hall reflects what society is trending towards in accordance with active and healthy lifestyles. “The cultural industries do have the power constantly to rework and reshape what they represent; and, by repetition and selection, to impose and implant such definitions of ourselves as fit more easily the descriptions of the dominant or preferred culture” (Hall, 447). This type of lifestyle is becoming a dominate preferred trend throughout our culture and society.
Also, in accordance with Hall's quote above these perspectives that have been gathered from the survey support the statement that running is becoming a distinctive way of life and therefore can be considered popular. 

Communities

In out world today people come together and communities generally based on a common interest, similar goals, work, or location.

Anderson states that “it is imagined because the members of even the mallest nation will never know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives the image of their communion” (6).
With this definition a sense of running community arises. Although runners can find a local sense of community where they live, there are so many other runners all over the world that they will never meet but can be considered a part of a running community as a whole. There are common interests, goals, and ideas regardless of location.  

“communities are to be distinguished, not by their falsity/genuineness, but by the style in which they are imagined” (Anderson, 6).

“It is imagined as a community, because, regardless of the actual inequality and exploitation that may prevail in each, the nation is always conceived as a deep horizontal comradeship” (Anderson, 7).

Thoughts regarding community based off of the survey:

"Long distance runners probably have more of a community than others. Also, running groups can help people run more regularly and push themselves."

My initial response to this statement is that long distance runners might have more of a local sense of community because they put more time into running and training and therefore have more of a potential to be around other runners and people of common interests. 


"There are different types of runners. Some just run, no watch, no monitor and will never race. Some run group 5k, 10k charity events for fun. Some run to get into shape or to stay in shape and then there are the racers. These runners create a competitive culture and tight knit community. These people are broken-down between distance runners. 5k sprinters to ultra marathon runners and trail runners. They all run but are the sub culture inside the running culture. We all give each other the nod for running, we make fun of the group we think is dumb (in my case 5k-10k runners) and we idolize the beyond crazy... The ultra 50 milers and beyond!"

This statement brings light onto the fact that there is an overall running community but within that community there are sub communities based on running distances. Within these sub communities people can share more specific common goals based on races they do. 

"I feel some sense of community since I have run races and run long distances, so I understand some of the experiences that runners have been through, but not too much since I am not a very serious runner."

"I do feel a sense of community around other runners because running can be a very relaxing activity so to be around others who feel the same way is comforting." 

"I have running friends all over the world. There is a sense of respect for all runners regardless of abilities."

Another individual stated, "once, I was running on the street and another runner was running towards me. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling so happy to be alive (another side effect of running in nice weather), and I put my hand up and shouted, 'HIGH-Five!' as he passes. He kind of smiled, and kept running. Because of that, I think of running by yourself, and training, as a very solitary experience."

"The BEST community. We're supportive. We appreciate health. And competition is appreciated. Competition has become such a dirty word in society, in running we can be competitive and always want more and that is applauded. And yet, we're still supportive. I love this. I love that I can be social AND healthy"
This response stood out to me because the person truly identifies with other runners. She uses the word "we" rather than stating "I relate to the community." The simple word choice here demonstrates not only that this individual strongly relates to the community but is a very involved and devoted runner with the main goals revolving around social life and health. 

"I feel a sense of community at my gym as I tend to run in doors these days. We all share our stories of our fitness progress and of course our injuries" 

"I feel a HUGE sense of community with runners. I run with a group of friends on most days and it is amazing. So much support and encouragement."

"I feel a strong sense of community with running. I have several friends with whom I run. We share much more than the trail or the pavement"

"I do feel community - all runners are nice to me - even marathon runners and people who run much farther or much faster than me and that makes me happy - they know we all have different abilities and that you have to do the best you can for yourself - I really appreciate their support"


One can be categorized into a community, however, to truly to be a part of a community participation is important. Running is more or less an individual sport but shared experiences and common goals among runners power relationships among athletes in the running community. 

However, not all runners feel a sense of community

"I pretty much just run on my own, when I do run, so I do not feel much sense of community"

"I feel like an outsider because I just do it for fun and don't really focus on the skill! Im not that knowledgable when it comes to running"

"I don't feel much of a sense of community with runners because I identify more with soccer players who happen to run for their sport"

Out of the 25 responses that I got to my survey the three quotes above resemble the individuals that do not strongly associate with the running community. 
From what I can see these people do not strongly relate to the running community because of running individually, not being knowledgable about the sport, and identifying more with other sports. With this said, it becomes apparent that community exists not only because of common interests and goals but thrives with the time and work put into building relationships within the group.
The imagined community exists because of the common interests and goals but comes to be a significant part of peoples lives because of the continued dedication and challenges that have to be worked on. 

There was an overwhelming response when it came to the community question. The majority of people associated themselves with the running community. My target audience for this survey were runners. I did not specify competitive runners or marathoner or casual runners. Because I did not restrict the audience more I feel that I was able to get a good gauge of how runners identify themselves and see themselves as part of a large community. 

Perceptions of TIme

Time is always the same. 60 seconds always lasts exactly 60 seconds, 1 hr and 43 min always passes exactly the same way. However, time can be perceived in many different ways. Sometimes if an individual really enjoys an activity and is doing that activity for an hour time may seem accelerated and not feel like it actually takes an hour. Whereas if that individual is doing something that they really don't enjoy then time may be perceived as taking longer than it actually does. 


The article Leisure, Optimal Experience, and Peak Performance by William C Compton (Introduction to Positive Psychology) provides information regarding flow as defined by Csikszentmihalyi in 1975. It is stated that "flow denotes the holistic sensation present when we act with total involvement...It is the state in which action follows upon action according to an internal logic which seems to need no conscious intervention on our part. We experience it as a unified flowing from one moment to the next, in which we feel in control of our actions, and in which there is little distinction between self and environment; between stimulus and response; or between past, present, and future."

It is said that there are eight characteristics to a flow experience:

1. The merging of action and awareness
2. Complete concentration on the task at hand
3. Lack of worry about losing control that, paradoxically, results in a sense of control
4. A loss of self-consciousness
5. Time no longer seems to pass in ordinary ways
6. Autotelic nature of experience
7. Flow accompanies a challenging activity that requires skill
8. The activity has clear goals and immediate feedback

Running takes on many interesting complexes of time. For some it is as simple as them not enjoying running so time drags out. Others really enjoy running and time passes quickly. However, there are many other factors to consider including if an individual listens to music while running. runs inside or outside, runs with other people, or the distance one goes. 
With these thoughts in mind responses from the survey come back to supper the fact that time passes both fast and slow. For this response, however, there was not one overwhelming theme. Time passes differently for each runner. 

“Time passing depends on the scenario. I typically run for about 30 minutes everyday with my dogs, no music. Time passes quickly when I'm running like this. I suspect because of the additional task of managing my dogs. When I run without my dogs time passes more slowly. Running with music helps time pass more quickly if I enjoy the music. If the music is bad or not what I enjoy it becomes an annoyance.”

“Sometimes, honestly, time passes slowly. But I try to live for the moment and I realize that I ALWAYS feel better after a run. I tried running with music a couple of times, but I don't run with it now. I try to run outside as much as possible, but sometimes it is in a gym or on a treadmill. I run by myself while training. It does help to run with others. There is a lot of encouragement, especially in the later stages of a marathon.”
This person draws on encouragement and support during a run which can make it easier to continue to move forward. It appears that this and the motivation that the individual feels better after a run helps make time go by.

“If I am in shape, time passes pretty quickly but if I am out of shape it seems to go very slowly. Music helps time pass along faster as it sort of puts you in your own realm. When racing, time goes by quickly. It is probably because of the adrenaline/concentration that is going on. I am not so concerned with time as I am able to focus on competition.”

“I am affected by music - I like to listen to my I-pod. Where I run if I am enjoying pretty surroundings it makes me happy. I usually run alone because I like to go my own pace - having a good song at the end can make me go longer.”

“It depends on the day. It usually passes quickly, but as I become tired 10 minutes can feel like an hour. Music helps, but not all of the time. I like to listen to music during parts of a race, not during all of it. If I run a marathon or less I do not use music.”

“I love running with my friends, it makes 20 miles seem like 10. I usually don't run with music unless I am racing... it puts me in the zone and I know its not time to talk :)”
This person brings light onto the fact some runners pay more attention to the mileage than the time and in this case 20 miles can seem like 10 can be to one runner as 1 hour can seem like 30min to another runner.

 “With music, time passes quicker. Racing, if it's a close match I don't pay attention to time as much.”

 “This has morphed over the years. At first I need music to escape 3 miles. Now I like my music but could do a marathon with my thoughts and talking to other runners. It's interesting how the more you run, the less the distances seem. It's getting out of the "I can't it's too much!" and into the "this is normal and I can do anything" mindset.”
Experience can also affect how time feels and distances appear. The more a person runs and the more experience a person gains can change the way distance and time feel when running as well.

“Listen to music when I train or race, whether it is allowed or not. Music helps me maintain my tempo with the beat.”
Some races have rules against using headphones or listening to music. This can affect the way time is perceived. For example, if a person always runs with music and then is forced not to time might not have the same tempo as usual.

When I am running, time passes in slow motion. Every second is long, and I am hyperaware of my breathing (in through the nose, out through the mouth). At the same time, the scenery changes quickly, and it enables me to see more of the world in less time, which I like. I always run to music. I like to have it to focus on, and also to mark how much time I've been running. I run differently to different music. I feel powerful and strong when I run to Beyonce and upbeat dance tempos, and I feel calm and relaxed when I run to John Mayer. I don't race competitively, so I don't think I can answer the last question well.”
The type of music can also affect the pace and tempo of a runner as seen by this persons response.

Passes like normal, except I receive more mental relaxation which inturn allows me to feel like time passes slowly and I'm living in the moment more. I do not like to run with music because I feel it distracts me from thinking, which I like to do. I don't have enough experience racing or running with people I know how that is affected.”


Above, I have looked at the fifth characteristic of flow in the way time passes. As seen through responses, there is not one way that time passes for all runners. Time does not pass in ordinary ways for many people while running and is affected greatly by surrounds, distances, music, distractions, etc.  


In the survey I asked about how focused the runner is on the task at hand. The purpose of this was to relate it to flow experiences. Looking at the characteristics of flow focus, awareness, and control are important factors. 


“I pay a lot of attention to what's going on around me. To maintain pace I pay attention to what would be a distraction to my dogs. If there are other dogs I try to avoid them on my path. While running I'll think about my day, friends, relationships, work, future plans, and past mistakes. Sometime I'll just think about what's going on around me: duck's in the canal, people out for a walk with their dogs or children, sunrise, how good or bad the weather is.”

I am usually very focused while running. I think the physical exertion forces this. I think about life experiences while running. Some good. Some bad.”

“I am generally very focused. The course you are running can affect how focused you are. When trail running I am very focused on the terrain. When running in the city, my focus can be affected by hazards, road intersections, stoplights, etc. If I am running well, my mind stays on running and whatever goal I have for the session. If I am running a longer slower distance, my mind can often wander into a daydreaming type of state. If I have music on, I pretty much flow with the music and stay focused on the run.”

I am very focused when I run. I focus on the running, the scenery and the way I feel. I think about everything, from how tired I feel, how hungry, do I feel good, the weather, the sky, the stars. All of it is connected with running for me.”

“I am usually focused on my friends! We chat about anything and everything from poop to politics!”

If I am in a race I am more focused; if I am distracted emotionally or with thoughts, I am less focus but make more of an effort to focus.”

It depends on the run. My training runs I am focused on heart rate. During races I focus on time and pushing my heart rate.. I try to get uncomfortable to a certain level.”

I think about everything and anything- my day at work, my husband, my future, the quails I see while running, etc.”

“I'm focused on where I am and how fast I'm going. I usually don't think about anything.”

I like to focus on music while I am running, but I am also focused on exactly how my body feels. In other areas of life, it is easy to ignore your body. In running, it is not. I also feel like it is easier to NOT THINK and NOT WORRY when running, like your brain is cleared from stress and worry, and you are just another human in this world, doing what we have always done, putting one foot in front of the other and surviving. Succeeding.”
 When running, I try to not think about anything and clear my head. If I can't clear my head, it is usually due to worries going on in my life.”

Very focused. I think about form and maintaining a 90 step frequency.”

When running with other people, I am usually pretty focused on using strategies to keep up with everyone. If I am running alone, then I usually think about engineering questions related to my work, or about life related issues that don't have a clear answer.”

I think about one of two things - one, just keeping my feet moving, or two, my work. If I am pumped up about my work, then I seem to have more energy when I run.”

“Pretty focused, but not always on running. Often think through life things, aka what's going on. As I get more tired or hurting, I focus more on talking myself through the run itself.”

From these responses it becomes evident that not all of the people have full concentration on the task at hand, however, some people do have complete concentration. With this said, some of the runners that are completely focused, fulfilling the second characteristic and having the potential for a flow experience. Not all runners may have this experience (which can be seen by the responses above) but many can.  


In Apprehensions of Time it is states that “a fundamental change was taking place which, more than anything else, made it possible to ‘think’ the nation,” (22). “‘Homogenous, empty time’" is also discusses which can be related to several of the answers from the survey regarding how time passes while running. 

In the novel and the newspaper “the idea of a sociological organism moving calendrically through homogenous, empty time is a precise analogue of the idea of the nation, which also is conceived as a solid community moving steadily down (or up) history. An American will never meet, or even know the names of more than a handful of his 240,000-odd fellow-Americans. He has no idea what they are up to at any one time. But he has complete confidence in their steady, anonymous, simultaneous activity,” (26). 
This statement relates the perception of time and community. The American community and newspaper providing information as described above can be seen as a metaphor for the running community. There are millions of runners all over the world and although not all runners will know or even encounter each other there is "complete confidence in their steady, anonymous, simultaneous activity." 

Time is perceived in a variety of ways by people depending on enjoyment, surroundings, challenges, and other aspects a runner encounters while running. Time is not only perceived in different ways while a runner runs but time can also be an issue in the sense of having to make time to run. One survey participant states that "time is always a concern in toady's busy society where typically both husband and wife work long hours. But, to make health and fitness a priority, you have to FIND time to run. I have a busy life with 2 young children. Sometimes I run in the morning and sometimes I run late at night."

Culture & Backgrounds

I wanted to be able to gauge the actual audience of my survey. My goal was to get a large range or runners to take the survey and was able to see that I did so in response to my question about the individuals running background. 
I decided to quote the responses I got instead of generalizing so that it can be clear who took my survey and what their running background consists of. 


“Always ran for other sports. Started running just for running about 2.5 years ago. I started so I could wear my two boxers out. Now its part of my morning routine. I consider myself a recreational runner. I continue to run as part of training for triathlons that I have competed in for the last year and I enjoy the time outside with my dogs.”

“I am an avid runner. I started running in late 2007 after discussing running a marathon with a group of friends. I started and continue to do it for both the physical and mental benefits. I believe it gives me more energy to keep up with the kids.”

“Was a competitive runner in high school and a little into my time in the Army. Started when I was 10. My dad had quit smoking by eating hard candy and to lose weight he started jogging and I would go with him. We along with my brother then started entering races and I seemed to do quite well for my age. I am on an off now. I started running again in 2006 as I began triathlon and it quickly became my best of the 3 legs. However, the more I bike, the less I train to run and swim and now I am back to off with running and I am just bike racing. I will start running a little bit again to help with cyclocross season that is coming up this fall.”

“Run some 5k's and a couple of times a week about 3 miles. A casual runner. I started to get fit - I keep doing it because I enjoy it and I think cardio is very healthy.”

“I started running 3-4 years ago. I am an ultra runner and marathoner. I started because I wanted to tire my puppy out. I continue because it is fun.”

“I started running for fun about 3 years ago. I am a fun runner who likes to PR and race with friends! I started because a friend pushed me to do a half marathon with her & I fell in love with how running makes me feel.”

“Ran cross country in high school. I run only every now and then at the moment. I continue to run because I enjoy pushing myself.”

“I ran competitively during School Years. I run now every week day (M to F) Started running to keep fit continue to run to stay fit.”

“I started "running" 10 years ago for a charity training to run a marathon. I was a back brace wearing asthmatic before that - active, but no sports. I started running with friends after that and actually got "serious" about it running regular miles and upping my distances and speeds in the last few years. And I'm now in my early 40s.”

“Wrestled in High School and College began running for endurance and to cut weight. I am an endurance runner, I run for distance not time.”

“I've been running (consistently) for a little over 2 years but started in 2006 when I began doing adventure races and sprint triathlons. I consider myself to be a novice runner (5-15 miles/ week). I continue to run because I'm hooked on the endorphins and adrenaline.”

“I started running around age 13 for school and continued through college. I've been focusing more on my cycling now since running injured my back.”

“I run occasionally but don't have a strong running background. I started when I played sports in high school during practice and I continue because I like it.”

“I started running more seriously about a year ago, while I was in the process of getting back into shape. Running was always very challenging to me, and I thought that because it was so challenging that it probably meant I should do more of it, that it was really good for me. At the time, I was also exercising to try and lose weight, which I did successfully. After I stopped trying, I continued running, and it became more of a pleasure. Especially being outside while running.”

“I used to play soccer so I ran pretty regularly. Now I run to keep healthy and to lose weight.”

“I am a twice to three times a week runner. I run 3-4 miles at a time. I started running to lose weight and reduce anxiety. I still run because I enjoy it”

“I started running at a young age because my older sister was a competitive runner. Growing up playing soccer it was always a helpful supplement to my stamina. It's never been something that I have a passion for or love doing. I have continued doing it because I am natural at it and it comes easily. I have run 2 half marathons and consider myself an occasional runner. I prefer to sprint than jog”

“I started running at the age of ten. Ran competitive in High School and College. Competed many years after college. I run now because it is still a passion. I now run with my XC and Track Team. My Son is on both of those.”

“My running background includes high school cross country and running on my own. I consider myself to be somewhat ok runner. I know I'm not the fastest, but I enjoy going on runs and it can be relaxing. I started because I needed to do a sport in high school. But I continue to do it because it's good for me, physically and mentally. I also feel really good about myself after I run.”

“I ran in highschool for track and cross country. I consider myself to be a fun runner aka/ non competitive! I started because I enjoyed it an that is the reason I continue, even when I'm complaining haha”

“I ran track in middle school and ran several road races in high school and college. Since then, I have mostly just run for exercise. Lately, I have been mostly running on trails, which is probably about once a week. I started running because I had a lot of energy, was pretty competitive, and was good at long distance running. I continue it now for exercise and because I enjoy running with friends.”

“I jog only a little - every now and then. I do walk regularly. I believe running is excellent exercise - good for conditioning - cardio and strength. I do it for exercise.”

“Ran for PE in elementary/middle school.”

“Track in high school. Running is just a way for me to keep in shape. I started so I could eat all I wanted and not get fat. I'm continuing to do it to get in better shape.

“Some high school crosscountry. My grandfather ran and I admired that. I would say I'm a casual runner. Started for exercise & as a challenge from my sister. Continue to because of my social connections and to train for races.”

From theses answers I feel that I did achieve my target audience for the survey; targeting runners of all kinds. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Survey Questions

Here are the questions that I asked in my survey to gain more perspectives from people about culture, time perception, community, and running in general. When coming up with these questions I tired to think about the best questions to ask that would provide me with the desired information. 


1. Name

2. What is your running background? What kind of runner do you consider yourself to be? Why did you start? Why do you continue to do it?

3. What do you consider your culture and background to be how do these play a role in running for you?

4. When you are running how do you feel time passes? How is this affected by music, where you run, and who you run with? How does this change when you race and how is this affected by the distance you go?

5. While running how focused are you? What affects this? What do you think about while running?

6. Do you feel a sense of community around other runners? Why or why not? How you relate to others in regards to running? What other communities do you associate yourself with?

7. How do you think running is incorporated into popular culture of today? Are there stereotypes that go along with running?

8. Do you have any other thoughts or opinions in regards to culture, time, and community in regards to running or running in general?

9. Please provide one picture that shows what running means to you or how you perceive running. 


After looking at the results that I got from these questions I think they were the right questions to ask. Not only that but the people asked to complete the survey all had a variety of different backgrounds in running which further supported the variety of results gathered.  

I also realize that the questions that I came up with were very dense and there were many parts to one individual question. I think this was the most complicated part to the people taking the survey because there were so many things to answer and consider when thinking about the questions. The reason for this was the survey website that I used to produce the survey only allowed me to ask 10 questions without having to upgrade and pay for the service. Therefore, I combined related questions to get the best results. 

Production

To create and combine the popular media forms of blogging and surveys I have looked at many examples running focused and otherwise.

Here are links to some of the running blogs that I have drawn inspiration on:





Here are links to some running websites that have also provided useful:

I found "A Trail Runners Blog" (http://www.atrailrunnersblog.com/) to be one of the most helpful mainly because it was the most appealing to look at. Within todays popular media what grabs an audience is good presentation and aesthetics. This blog has a great background and a nice picture in the foreground with a brief intro. Going further into the blog various posts are shown with a picture and caption about the content. Through looking at this blog I have tried to make mine appealing to look at and intriguing through captions and pictures. In doing so I hope to capture the audience first through images and an overall good looking blog and secondly through the post content. 


Also, through the Blogger website searching blogs also proved itself to be beneficial by showing the hundreds of ways to compile information, pictures, etc in a variety of formats.

I have also used questions from running surveys to gain further knowledge into the anthropology of running. Some websites that I looked at for this information include the following:
http://www.runningusa.org/node/57812

General survey sites that have provided useful:
http://www.surveyengine.com/resources/howto_run_a_survey.html

http://www.surveymonkey.com/MySurveys.aspx

http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/running_survey_2011/

I decided that I might find some use and new perspectives from taking a survey myself and therefore decided to take the survey on boston.com. On the website it allows you not only to vote but to see the results of the overall voting results. Through this, I discovered more aspects of running that connect other runners to each other such as race day prep, travel items, acting on injuries, and several more things.


Through producing this blog and a survey I have learned many things about the internet and websites that I had never considered before and have become more proficient in maneuvering through different sites to find specific things that I am searching for.

When having an issue trying to do something one way I used other aspect of technology to work to my advantage. For example, I was having trouble uploading my running video to the blog directly and learned about youtube accounts in the process because I ended up creating a youtube account and uploading the video to my blog through that account.
When creating a background picture I learned about the format of pictures and what is necessary to convert a pdf of a specific size to the specific size required by the blog.
These were fairly easy problems to resolve that came up while I was producing this blog, however, I had not ever encountered these difficulties simply because I had not used this specific type of technology that is an aspect of popular culture today.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Goal of this blog


I am currently taking Anthropology of Popular Culture at the University of Washington. For my final project I have decided to put together a photo essay blog. Within this blog I will incorporate ideas from Stuart Hall, Michael Warner, and Anderson with regards to imagined communities, cultural roots, and perceptions of time.  

The goal is to gain perspectives from a variety of people with different backgrounds in the sport of running. I also want to collect photos from runners that say something about what running means to them or how they perceive running.

Here is the link to the survey I have created if you want to take it: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3NQKFY9