We do that factor as of late the place we preface our controversial ideas with the phrases, “unpopular opinion.” It goes one thing like this: “Unpopular opinion, however morning runs are overrated,” or “Unpopular opinion, however winter runs are higher than summer season runs,” or “Unpopular opinion, however I don’t truly care about native legend standing on Strava.”
It’s largely a enjoyable sport we play on social media, however I believe there’s one thing extra to it. It’s as if these little phrases grant us permission to voice our true ideas with out being too embarrassed as a result of we overtly acknowledge that they’re unpopular. However maybe extra importantly, once we use these phrases to protect ourselves from potential judgment, they will additionally remind us to query ourselves about why we maintain these opinions and put together ourselves to have a constructive dialogue about them.
Zach Miller in 2023, after ending second at UTMB, would have disagreed with a younger Zach Miller’s unpopular opinion that 100-mile races have been foolish. Picture: Luke Webster
And with that, I shall share a few of my very own unpopular opinions. Right here goes.
Unpopular opinion, however a part of me thinks that 200-plus-mile races are dumb. In actual fact, a aspect of me cringed when my Instagram feed was full of individuals working the Cocodona 250 Mile simply the opposite week. A part of me thinks we should always first get quicker at 100-mile races earlier than tackling races two-and-a-half occasions as lengthy. And an analogous fraction of me disliked that I used to be sucked into following alongside and caring about it. However wait, there’s extra.
Unpopular opinion, however a part of me was bothered by lululemon’s FURTHER occasion. A bit of me thought it merely regarded like a number of sluggish working. In the meantime, one thing else in me couldn’t cease eager about whether or not they need to have known as the occasion “additional” or “farther.” In any case, they have been working far, and farther is used for distance, however alternatively, maybe they have been additionally working to a larger diploma of their beings, during which case additional may very well be applicable. For a man who appreciated math class much more than English, I assume I’ve some robust emotions about grammar. Permit me to proceed.
Unpopular opinion, however I’m okay with the Barkley Marathons. I acknowledge that it’s a completely different form of occasion. I perceive that some suppose that the extent of consideration that it garners from the media is dangerous for the game of ultrarunning — that individuals don’t need this race, a scavenger hunt as they might name it, to be what individuals consider as ultrarunning. But, I believe it’s a distinctive problem that embodies a lot of what ultrarunning actually is — a check of will, power, endurance, and psychological fortitude.
Jasmin Paris changing into the primary lady to complete the Barkley Marathons is maybe the largest ultrarunning media second of 2024 so far. Picture: David Miller
Being a Skeptic of Skepticism
Earlier than you get mad at me within the feedback part under, please enable me to develop a bit extra. These ideas are primarily my knee-jerk reactions. They’re issues that I believe however don’t at all times say. They’re the form of ideas that I categorical to my closest buddies, those that will nonetheless discuss to me even when they disagree.
And when I’ve these ideas, I query myself: Am I eager about this accurately? Am I proper to agree or disagree with a well-liked or accepted opinion? Am I simply being a cranky, outdated curmudgeon? Ought to I be extra open-minded?
The opposite night time, as I used to be studying by way of a group of notes that I carry on my telephone, I stumbled upon the next phrases from creator and podcast host Krista Tippett in a chunk known as “Turning into Smart:”
“I’m consciously shedding the belief {that a} skeptical standpoint is probably the most intellectually credible. Mind doesn’t operate in opposition to thriller; tolerance is just not extra pragmatic than love; and cynicism is just not extra affordable than hope. Not like nearly each worthwhile factor in life, cynicism is straightforward. It’s by no means confirmed unsuitable by the corruption or the disaster. It’s not generative. It judges issues as they’re, however doesn’t elevate a finger to attempt to shift them.”
Now, I do know that Tippett didn’t pen these phrases in response to Cocodona 250 Mile, FURTHER, or the Barkley Marathons. In actual fact, she most definitely wasn’t eager about ultrarunning in any respect. But, her ideas made me query why I used to be being so crucial of what different individuals have been doing.
Simply because I don’t have the need to do one thing doesn’t imply it may well’t maintain worth for another person. In any case, there was a time in my youth after I thought working 100 miles was foolish. “I may most likely do this, however I don’t wish to run that sluggish,” was what I believed to myself. Years later, right here I’m doing the very factor that I as soon as regarded as so foolish. I assume I’m having slightly snack on the phrases of my youth.
Cynics and followers have been equally glued to the end of the Cocodona 250 Mile the place Harry Subertas took over the race lead with a number of miles left. Picture: Howie Stern
I believe this form of factor occurs loads in life and extends far past the sector of sports activities. From ultrarunning to political opinions to how our associate does the dishes, we shortly develop into cynical of so many issues. All we see is what we take into account proper whereas neglecting to create space for thriller, love, or hope. We maintain so tightly to our (unpopular) opinions that we fail to create space for ahead progress.
As I take to the paths that life presents, I want to do not forget that there are various twists and turns that I received’t expect. My skepticism and critique could also be of worth for some however not for all. There’ll usually be multiple good path, and simply because it’s not my cup of tea doesn’t imply it isn’t another person’s. If somebody desires to run a 250-mile race or for six days in a row, could I discover it in me to cheer on such a feat.
So right here’s to all of these ingesting huge, daring cups of tea — for the place there may be problem, there may be alternative, and the place there may be alternative, there may be development.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever ever discovered your self getting skeptical of different individuals’s objectives?
- How can we create house for constructive discussions of unpopular opinions?
