[+] Running Through Shame

Confronting the Taboo of Shame in the Running Community

Ever since the wonderful folks at “Vom Laufen” podcast (German) delved into the topic of shame in running, it's been on my mind. In this candid Das Z Letter, I peel back the layers of shame and illuminate the path in the direction of self-acceptance and a more compassionate running community.

(Photo: Stephan Wieser)

Shame in Running

"Running, yes cool running, cool yes." – Or isn’t it?

For many people, running is more than just physical exercise. It is a source of inner strength and self-fulfillment. But behind the miles, the personal bests, the amazing images of mountain peaks and cheering crowds at road marathons, there are sometimes more and different feelings than you might think at first glance. One of them is shame.

Shame is a deeply human response that we all know. It is a complex feeling that usually occurs when we believe we have violated social norms or our own values. Because we (almost) all have a similar "shame threshold," shame is a regulatory mechanism of social control. It serves to keep behavior within social norms that are acceptable to everyone. So far, so normal. But what does this have to do with running?