Running Towards Bodily Autonomy
- Ava Ketterman
- Nov 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Hey friends! It has been a while since I posted on here, but I thought I would share a timely op-ed encouraging women to sign up for the 2025 Chicago Marathon. In light of the 2024 election results, I argue that running will help women to reclaim their power. I hope that this piece inspires you to reclaim your power.
Running Towards Bodily Autonomy
By Ava Ketterman
Lace up your running shoes and let’s go girls! As women, we faced a major setback in light of the recent election. With diminished bodily autonomy, and a depleted mindset, our only solution is to grasp what we can control. A tangible practice of control is running. November 21st, 2024 is the last day to enter your name for the Chicago Marathon. I cannot think of anything more empowering than collectively pushing our bodies and minds for 26.2 miles. Girls, this is our chance to prove that despite a sexual predator as our president-elect, and a dooming political agenda, we are in control of our bodies. Sign up for the 2025 Chicago Marathon and run for your rights.
As a 21-year-old woman, the election results hit me hard. A restless night left me with a pit in my stomach, unable to comprehend what had just occurred. In response to my overwhelming fear, I did as I always do when emotions get big and laced up my running shoes. Running is how I make sense of the world. The peace I feel from putting one foot in front of the other is glorifying. Each step I take proves that I am a force to be reckoned with. Despite laws and political agendas trying to claim my independence, running reminds me that my body belongs to me.
I am not alone in feeling empowered through running. According to a study conducted by Bourdeau and Gorgi, “running empowers female identity during and after exercise, with mental and physical benefits” (Bourdeau and Gorgi, 2010, p. 251). Additionally, Bourdeau and Gorgi reasoned that running enables women to feel deeper support when facing the inevitable challenges of an unknown future (Bourdeau and Gorgi, 2010, p. 251). Bourdeau and Gorgi’s findings suggest that when women run, they reclaim their power. The act of putting one foot in front of the other on the course translates into our capability to move forward despite adversity. (Bourdeau and Gorgi, 2010, p. 251).
In the face of a political agenda set on tearing women down, running builds women up. According to a study of 1,537 runners by Waśkiewicz et al., “running had a positive effect on self-image,” suggesting an improved lens through which women view their bodies (Waśkiewicz et al, 2019, p. 9). Running allows women to grow in their confidence and exceed any preconceived limits. Through running, women feel more capable and confident in their skin. In a world trying to rule women’s bodies, running can serve as a place of comfort and control (Waśkiewicz et al, 2019, p. 9) While stripping autonomy creates division, running creates a community.
Women can feel more united with each other and with themselves through running. A study consisting of five running groups suggested that our capabilities are stretched when we are in a community. The study indicated that when women can collectively support each other in their physical endeavors, they create a space for deeper emotional support (Yang et al, 2022, p. 11). Yang et al’s study suggested that our collective power– both physical and mental–exceed our parts (Yang et al, 2022, p. 11).
I understand the frivolity of my proposal. The simple task of running seems far too minute in the wake of diminishing bodily autonomy. In the face of one of our nation’s most significant political eras, and combatting some of the strongest sentiments against women’s bodies, why would running help? I acknowledge that many other actionable steps need to be taken to reclaim our power as women. But for the sake of power, running will allow us to reclaim our bodies, push them to the limits, and join in communion with fellow women. The mere inclusivity and accessibility of running proves significant in itself. All you need is grit and shoes, and you are off. Additionally, I understand that running is not the perfect solution to reclaiming ownership. Running may cause an individual to feel weak, belittled or even suffer an injury. A study by DeJong reasoned that the risk of injury in women distance runners is significant. (DeJong et al., 2021, p. 7). Damaging your body is anything but empowering. But, discovering the resiliency our body holds reiterates the point that women are in control of their bodies. No man, law, or act can take away women’s power (DeJong et al., 2021, p. 7)
Our call to action is to run. We must take back our power and reclaim comfort within our skin. I am encouraging you to sign up for the 2025 Chicago Marathon, start training, and prove to yourself that your body belongs to you. Another actionable step is to uplift the women around you. Encourage them to step into their power by joining you during your runs. Together, we can embrace the power that comes from moving our bodies. We can connect with one another along the journey towards 26.2. And we can prove to ourselves that our bodies belong to us.
On October 12th, 2025, we will assemble on the start line. We will know the great distances we have traveled just to be there. And we will know that by putting one foot in front of the other, we will not be destroyed. The government can enact any law, policy, or ban they wish. But as women, we will know that our bodies belong to us. The power, strength, and resilience that will carry us across the finish line will continue to carry us through the next four terrifying years.
References
Boudreau, A. L., & Giorgi, B. (2010). The Experience of Self-Discovery and Mental Change
in Female Novice Athletes in Connection to Marathon Running. Journal of
Phenomenological Psychology, 41(2), 234-267.
DeJong, A. F., Fish, P. N., & Hertel, J. (2021). Running behaviors, motivations, and injury risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of 1147 runners. PLOS ONE, 16(2),
Waśkiewicz, Z., Nikolaidis, P. T., Gerasimuk, D., Borysiuk, Z., Rosemann, T., & Knechtle, B. (2019). What Motivates Successful Marathon Runners? The Role of Sex, Age, Education, and Training Experience in Polish Runners. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 459235. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01671
Yang, Jia & Ju, Fang-Yuan & Tian, Zu-Guo. (2022). Sports and Social Interaction: Sports
Experiences and Attitudes of the Urban Running Community. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health. 19. 14412. 10.3390/ijerph192114412.
Thanks for reading :)
Xox,
Ava
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