Running 400

SPORT & SOCIETY
The Summer Olympics through the lens of social science

www.bl.uk/sportandsociety
Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological

insight
Tanya Bunsell, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of
Kent
Despite the explosion of academic work into sociological informed body studies since
the 1980s, the sporting body as a living, breathing, feeling and sensual phenomena
has been severely neglected. This is perhaps somewhat surprising given that sport is an
overtly embodied practice, with many participants citing phenomenological and
sensuous elements in their experiences. The endeavour of this piece is thereby to
contribute to filling in and fleshing out of this breach in essential knowledge. Through
phenomenological description and visual imagery, we invite the reader into the world of
Jon, a 400m sprint athlete. We follow his journey from the moment he arrives at the
stadium and begins his mental preparation to the actual experiences, body techniques
and sentiments that occur during the race itself.
Sport is movement, belief and desire, bound together in a multisensual event
whose epicenter is emotion
Duquin (2000: 477)
Historically, social theory has ignored the fact that we have real fleshy bodies, which
enable us to feel, see, hear, smell and taste (Shilling, 1993). Since the 1980s however,
sociology as a discipline has responded to the demand to bring bodies back in resulting
in an explosion of embodiment studies amongst a whole range of other body studies
(Shilling, 2003:xviii). Despite this increasing corpus of academic work, research into the
sporting body appears hesitant to engage in the lived experiences of athletes. This is
Page 1 of 12
Sport and Society: the Summer Olympics through the lens of social science
perhaps somewhat surprising given that many participants cite phenomenological and
sensuous elements in their experiences, and that sport is a very obvious and highly
visible examine of embodied practice (Hockey and Allen-Collinson, 2007:118). Whilst
the sociology of sport has centred on issues such as the athletes identity ( including
gender, ethnicity, sexuality, class, disability and subculture), the disciplining and
rationalisation of the body, injury and pain, drugs in sport and the commodification of
the body, these studies have largely taken place at an abstract and theoretical level,
ignoring the carnal realities of the sporting body (Sparkes, 2009:27, Ford and Brown,
2005; Hargreaves and Vertinsky, 2007). Apart from the rare exception, such as
Wacquants (2004) pioneering book on the apprenticeship of boxing, few texts have
focused on the sensual dimensions of the sporting endeavour. The athletes body has
been frequently depicted as a finely tuned robotic machine, with little creativity and
experiential feeling, and yet, as Hockey and Allen Collinson (2007:118) point out,
participants move, see, hear, feel, touch, and smell in the sporting milieu. Furthermore
the body schema of the athlete sees and feels in a different way to the uninitiated, for
example, for athletes such as Sally Gunnell (British Olympic champion in the 400 m
hurdles) the world narrows and becomes harmonised with the track that lies between
them and the finishing line (Shilling, 2008:53). Other elite athletes depict an incredible
sensation, as the harmony between mind and body results in an almost spiritual
transcendence. Pablo Morales (2x Olympic gold-medallist in the 100 m butterfly) 1
describes this feeling as one of being lost in focused intensity. Lee Evans (winner 400 m
athlete) 2 , in contrast, articulates a type of detachment during the race. These are just a
few examples that serve to emphasise the importance of taking seriously issues
concerned with the experiential dimensions of the sporting body.
This is the context in which we can understand Hockey and Allen Collinsons call for
more embodied, phenomenological writings on the subject that fleshes out the
corporeal realities of the lived sporting body. Phenomenology is a very broad term that
encompasses a range of diverse academic theories. Simply put, the origins of
phenomenological thought focused on the lived experiences as understood from the
first person perspective. Merleau-Ponty (1962, viii) describes this technique as a manner
or style of thinking without any prior formal experience or education. As Wertz (2009)
notes in focusing on the persons ways of being-in-theworld, phenomenology
descriptively elaborates structures of the I (ego or self), various kinds of intentionality
(experience), and the constitution of the experienced world. This approach is, then,
conducive to advancing our understanding of an athletes sporting experiences,
perceptions, imaginations, desires, actions, emotions and physical sensations.
Furthermore, using this approach allows the differences that exist between athletes and
their experiences of life in sport to become apparent (Douglas, 2009).
In what follows I shall focus on the lived experiences of an athlete - Jon, a 400 metre
runner, who is in contention to represent Italy in the 2012 Olympics. Through
phenomenological description and visual imagery, we explore what is considered to be
one of the most gruelling and demanding of events. The 400 meters is an endurance
sprint which requires the competitor to develop both skills of the endurance half-miler
and the quickness and speed of the sprinter. The race is run anaerobically (oxygen deefficient), imposing a great deal of physical stress on the body. Running for a 400m race,
is far from a natural condition but a complex activity that has to be learnt through
pedagogical socialisation of the body and hours of repetitive practice (Mauss, M. (1973
[1934])). Like Wacquants boxers, it is only when these techniques have been
1
Gumbrecht, U., Leland, T.,Schavone, R., Schnapp, T.The Athletes Body, Lost and Found ,
Stanford Humanities Review (1998) Volume 6.2
2
[http://www.watfxc.com/TF/Clinics/Lee%20Evans%20Article.htm] Planning Training and
Racing for Quality 400 Meters, accessed 15/09/2009
Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight
Page 2 of 12
assimilated by the body in and through the endless physical drills repeated ad nauseam
that it becomes in turn intelligible to the intellect (Wacquant, 2004:69). Running
techniques then become incorporated into the bodys schema through daily practices.
For Jon this involves four hours a day of training, using various training cycles depending
on the season (e.g. strength, endurance, racing etc). We now turn to the place which is
the culmination of all this hard work, dedication and sacrifice the race itself.
Race start : -2 hrs

Jon enters the stadium. He starts by looking around his surroundings and getting his
bearings. He is no longer daunted by the sheer size of the stadium (though recalls being
petrified at the start of his career). The subtle sights, sounds and smells of the stadium
which are weird to describe the ultimate athletes experience trigger memories; he
tries to banish the bad ones away and embrace the positive ones. He walks around the
shiny track, feeling that brilliant sensation of exuberance and buoyancy as his training
shoes make contact with the grounds surface. The atmosphere is relatively quiet given
that the main events (the 100 and 400m race) are later on that day. Jon watches some
of the other athletes competing, trying to emulate their appearance of composure and
calmness to make himself dissociate from the nerves. Coaches can be heard trying to
psych up their athletes and some opponents have family and friends present for
support. Jon prefers to be left alone, so that he can focus entirely on the race ahead. The
majority of time spent before the race is dedicated to mental preparation, to plan for the
race and understand the feelings that are going on inside of me...[the] mental
preparation is as important as the physical.
Race start: -1:45

Jon sits down quietly in the dedicated area for athletes and coaches. Taking his time, he
begins to disassociate and zone out from his surroundings. To achieve this meditative
like state he utilizes the power of music, listening to particular songs on his headphones.
Whilst sports psychologists have long advocated the positive effect that music can have
Page 3 of 12
on athletic performance (e.g. Dorney and Goh, 1992; Karageorghis and Terry, 1997; and
Krumhansl, 2002), Sorenson et al (2008) point out that research into the
phenomenological experiences of athletes and music has been overlooked, despite music
often playing a pivotal role in athletes mental preparation. Most of the time Jon will
listen to soothing and calming music with beats slower than a natural heartbeat. Before
a race he says, you dont want to be too over adrenalized - you want to stay in
control. Listening to music of a slow tempo then acts to control his emotions by
regulating arousal ( Nilsson, Unosson, and Rawal, 2005) reducing anxiety and decreasing
stress and tension (Seaward, 2002). On some occasions however, Jon listens to rap and
hip-hop music, to particularly memorable tracks that he enjoys and makes him feel
happy. These strong beats, which he associates with confidence and energy, act as a
mood enhancer and provide motivation (Gfeller, 1988), allowing him to block out
distractions and concentrate on mental imagery. Furthermore, his favourite songs trigger
positive memories reminding him of previously successful races. As he listens to the
calming music, Jon also focuses on his breathing: Breathing helps me to control my
emotions...I take slow, rhythmic, deep breaths, filling my rib cage up with air breathing
through my nose and out through my mouth...letting go of any tension Im holding in
my body.
When Jon feels like he has reached a state of calm energy he turns off the music in order
to completely focus on his mental preparation. This time he concentrates on the race
itself, envisioning and preparing for both the worst and best scenarios that might occur.
First he pictures a bad event and then imagines himself reacting to it in a positive
manner. By pre-empting any negative situations that might occur, this helps Jon get
away from the fear and clear the mind. For example, If there is an idiot running around
shouting I am the best then I just ignore him as Ive already thought about him,
likewise my biggest fear is getting a hamstring injury. Having torn his hamstring badly
on several occasions before, when it snapped at the end of the race, he found himself
automatically tightening and seizing up towards the finish, frightened that it may
happen again. By using these psychological mind techniques, Jon is able to let go of
these nightmare thoughts and worries, which would inevitably impact on his racing time
and performance. He then turns his attention to his perfect race and thinks about how
well it can go. In his minds eye he sees himself in pole position accelerating towards the
last 100 meters, his body feeling supernaturally light and quick.
Page 4 of 12
Race start: -0.45

Jon begins his physical preparation using various exercise drills: I start off with a few laps
round the circuit, for the warm up - listening to music and do a range of sport specific
exercises, like, plyametric lunges , for the start getting off the blocks; sprint starts ,
strides and so on.
He stretches out any tight muscles ensuring that the connecting tissues and nerves
between his body and mind are working in perfect tandem 3 .
Race start: -0.01
With less than a minute to go, Jon visualises for the very last time, every second of his
perfect race. The evoked imagery of the race is broken down into four sequential
sections: The start (the first 100m), the straight (100 m), the bend (50m) and the final
150m. He lives it out in detail.
It is just moments before the race begins. The pressure begins to mount and theres
tension in the air. The athlete must remain calm. The mind game continues. Each athlete
must focus on their own race. Do my perfect race, do my perfect race, do my perfect
race, Jon recites repetitively, to blank out all other distractions and fears that might
hinder or disturb his performance. Like some other athletes, Jon wants to be the last to
get down. On your marks, he hears the words and retracts into the blocks, to put him
in the best position for the start. Its deadly quiet. In the set position - thumbs and
forefingers on the track, shoulder width apart, shoulders slightly rolled over the hands
and parallel to the starting line, hips in line with shoulders, Jon waits for the starters
pistol to go off. He looks forward, about two meters onto the tract, beads of sweat
forming on his brow. Hes aware of the tingling sensation of nerves that are emanating
3
It is ironic, though perhaps hardly surprising, given the increasing rationalisation and
medicalisation of sport, that Jons articulations are imbued with Cartesian dualisms. Consequently
the fundamental language and paradigm of the analysis is inescapably constrained by the mindbody dichotomy.
Page 5 of 12
up and down his body. He knows how important this moment is. Whilst the race cant
be won at the start, it can certainly be lost at this point.
BANG,
Jon instantly pushes off - feeling the cathartic force of energy through his toes,
hamstrings and glutes - and accelerates out of the blocks as fast as possible. During the
first 50 meters of explosive power, the body is still low to the ground, gradually
becoming more upright as the race progresses. He aims to create and maintain a relaxed
rhythm, trying to stay as close to the inner line as possible. Finely tuned into his own
body (his physical sensations such as breathing, muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs)
he runs at 95-97% of his maximum effort. Having previous experience as a 60m and
100 m sprinter, Jon knows that at this point he is usually in a strong position. The power
and confidence he feels manifests itself in a sublime feeling of being light on his feet like
feathers.
This generation of forward momentum is carried on to the next part of the race- the 100
m straight. Jon usually feels comfortable here, enjoying being in his element due to a
strong start. He tries to remain relaxed as his body instinctively adjusts its gait, in order
to run as fast as possible, as efficiently as possible. His posture at this point is very
upright, his chest is forward and arms moving swiftly and smoothly back and forth to
create more speed as he moves through the field. For Jon, the arena and other people
are a blur. He is aware of other competitors only through his peripheral vision. His mind
blocks out sounds (e.g. noise of spectators) and other sensory elements (e.g. smells) that
are not imminently connected to his bodily sensations and task ahead.
Page 6 of 12
Jon is now on the bend, running near to the inside lane, to create the shortest distance
possible. The bend is perceived by many athletes as one of the hardest parts of the race
and Jon is no exception here. The body is beginning to get tired, fatigued, knackered
already, and the lactic acid is starting to kick in. He knows this is his weakest part, hes
aware that he must banish the negative thoughts, worries and anxiety that try and enter
his mind (Im awful here he says). In this split second of doubt, a struggle commences
between his mind and body, inevitably effecting the bodys flow and losing precious
split-seconds of time. He reacts by tak[ing] it to the next level of the pain barrier and
visualises the final sprint ahead where he will catch up, knowing that he has a strong
finish.
The end is in sight. If Jon is in a good position just before this last 150 metre stretch, he
knows it will be a successful race: If Im doing well here, I feel unstoppable - like a fire
ball of energy. This confidence comes from knowing that he trains harder on his strength
than his competitors. He envisions himself as the winner, as thrashing his opponents.
The home straight is run at 100% maximum effort - Jon has nothing more to give.
Despite the intensity and muscle fatigue, he must prevent himself from tightening up
and must continue to move in a straight, efficient line. The lactic acid build up is
horrendous here it feels like the muscles are burning away. His heart is pounding in
his chest. He feels nauseous. Coaches teach their students to die, to smash the ending
and give it everything they have. Despite this torturous pain, Jon declares [I] love this
part, absolutely love it.
Arms spread behind him; head held high, Jon leans slightly forward as his chest hits the
finishing line. Its all over. Only after the race has finished does Jon realise he had
blanked out, and cannot recall the last 100 meters of the race. Lost in focused
intensity, his mind had become free as his body automatically took over. The endorphin
rush combined with the satisfaction of winning, of achievement and of not letting
anyone down especially myself culminates in an incomparable feeling of euphoria and
a heightened sense of being alive; a sense that manifests itself in an emboldening and a
merging of the senses.
Page 7 of 12
These intense emotional and sensual elements articulated by Jon and other athletes
illustrate the importance of incorporating a more carnal and fleshed out approach into
the studies on the sporting body. Far from being peripheral to athletes, their lived
experiences are central to their lives, sporting events and performances. Given the
importance of these elements, the sociology of sport can ill-afford to ignore the
phenomenological experiences and voices of the athletes themselves.
Biography/ About Jon Silman

Jonathan Silman, 21, has recently completed his degree in Sports and Exercise Science
and Tourism at Christchurch University, Kent. Since establishing himself as an eminent
Junior competitor at International Level, he now hopes to join the Italian Seniro Team
with the aspiration of securing his place at the 2012 London Olympics.
Jon has successfully competed as a 400 metre runner winning Italian under 20 national
championships. His achievements include district area championships (Puglia, Italy x2), 5
stadium all time records and success on the International circuit (x2 at Junior level).
Page 8 of 12
He has been sponsored by Adidas and has also worked for the Maltese Olympic
Committee. In addition he has played football for Margate FC and Canterbury City FC
and tried out for Newcastle United FC. Jon is also a qualified personal trainer and
athletics sprint coach (level 3).
Photography by Rebecca Andrews

Artists interpretations
The phenomenological senses of the physical and emotional detachments of 400meter
runner Jon Silman, introduced a visual investigation into the challenging parameters of
performance and the stages of metamorphosis from the athletes physical state. I wanted
to emphasis the notion of Trace where Jons phenomena (in the past tense) would
remain static as Jon continued to race. Traces of body heat, lactic acid burn, light and
speed were all indications of presence, in hindsight a Phenomena, which the human
eye isnt capable of witnessing therefore presenting a metaphoric supernatural
perception.
Jon Silman described the processes from start to finish of meditation, prefiguring the race
tactics and mentally focusing on one thing (himself). An intriguing connotation of being
light on his feet like feathers was a key area to focus on of Jon. The idea of floating on
air was intriguing to interpret visually. The coherent use of lighting, stage and
performance was an essential part of the process to capture; in addition, using a black
backdrop emphasized the absence of an external world, instead encapsulating the world
of an athlete and capturing his gaze.
These images I have captured, questions whether or not what is experienced is
objectively real.
Rebecca Andrews is currently studying for her MA in Artist's Film, Video and
Photography at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Maidstone. Her thesis will be
a self-exploratory photographic diary documenting the physical and mental
experiences and transformations - as she prepares to compete on a bodybuilding stage.
Before commencing her MA, Rebecca studied for a BA in Graphics design as well as
completing a BA in Photography. Her research areas of interest revolve around themes
of identity formation within the Body, Gender and Society. Previous work has included
life size prints of bodybuilders exhibited at The Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane,
London) and other taboo areas of body modification such as Transvestites. Rebecca has
also recently completed a project focusing on young Olympic Athletes for the 2012
games commissioned by the Maidstone Arts development. The exhibition showcasing
her work will run from October 2009-October 2010. Further information about her
projects and her work can be found at www.rebecca-andrews.co.uk.
Tanya Bunsell is currently writing up her PhD at the University of Kent in the School of
the Social policy, Sociology and Social Research. Her thesis is provisionally entitled Text,
Experience and Space; Questioning Notions of Resistance, Transgression and
Empowerment in Womens Bodybuilding. Her thesis investigates whether female
bodybuilding can be seen as an emancipatory and empowering transgression from
hegemonic standards of feminine embodiment. Tanya in incorporating aspects of
phenomenology into a feminist perspective which explores via ethnography and
interview, the interactions and phenomenological experiences associated with this
activity. Before coming to Kent she studied Sociology at the University of Southampton
and the University of Portsmouth. Her main academic interest is in the Sociology of the
Page 9 of 12
Body, and she is also interested in Womens and Gender studies, the Sociology of Health
and Illness and aspects of Deviance.
Corresponding author. Email: tlb7@Kent.ac.uk
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SPORT & SOCIETY

The Summer Olympics through the lens of social science

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological

Race start : -2 hrs

Race start: -1:45

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Race start: -0.45

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Biography/ About Jon Silman

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Photography by Rebecca Andrews

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Hockey, J. & Allen Collinson, J. Grasping the Phenomenology of Sporting Bodies,

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

Shilling, C. The Body and Social Theory.

Running [the 400 m] with Jon Silman: a phenomenological insight

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