Breaking My Silence: Reflections of a Division I Athlete Overcoming Anorexia
This following piece is written by an anonymous athlete who chose to share their story in hopes of shedding light on the realities of eating disorders. Note: eating disorder behaviors are mentioned. Part II will be published in the near future. To anyone running in silence: I was once there too. I was afraid […]
Drowning For Perfection: Guest Post by Erica King Kubowitsch
Note: Eating disorder behaviors mentioned. Events and conversations have been recreated from Erica’s memories of them. ~ Before the anxiety, before the creeping doubt, there was simply the water. Swimming felt as natural as breathing. The pool was a sanctuary where I felt calm, strong, and truly myself. As a child, especially during those endless […]
“You Can Never Have An Eating Disorder That Isn’t ‘Serious Enough'”
Charmaine is an undergraduate at the University of Bristol reading International Social and Public Policy. When she’s not running, you can probably find her in climbing gyms, the mountains or some corner of Bristol. If she’s not outdoors, she’s probably cooped up with a book about the human condition, a social issue or someone’s adventure. […]
Creating Community: Recovery is Better Together (Guest Post by Sarah DeGraff)
Sarah DeGraff is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native running the Afton 50K Trail Race this Saturday, June 2. She decided to run this race and raise funds for Running in Silence to support bringing eating disorder awareness to more athletes and coaches around the country. Every $1,000 donated helps us reach another group of athletes […]
What I learned as a Collegiate Runner Majoring in Dietetics (Guest Post by Maggie Farrell) Part II
Read Part 1 of Maggie’s Journey here. Donate to her Running in Silence marathon journey fundraiser here! My eating disorder and running goals had me focusing on one common thing: how to be less. How I could spend less time on the cross-country course or track? Eat less throughout the day? Weigh less on the […]
A Destructive Numbers Game
I thought it was just a numbers game. I thought it was just about having discipline and willpower. I thought it was running until you threw up, that you had to grit your teeth, and push through pain. When I valued these things in running, it wasn’t difficult to grit my teeth and push through […]
NEDAW: “Let’s Get Real” with Recovery and the Prevalence of Eating Disorders
The first time I “got real” was in an email to my mom. “I think I have an eating disorder,” I wrote. In that moment, I recalled the terror and pain of binge eating alone each night. I thought of the race, days prior, where I had revealed my bloated, heavy body for the first […]
Interview with National Champ Erin Herrmann: Speaking Up About Eating Disorders
I had the privilege of interviewing National Champion for the 3000m Steeplechase from Hope College Erin Herrmann, who came out about her eating disorder in May. She shares her story and advice for others who may be struggling in the video interview below! Her biggest tip? TALK ABOUT IT. “Trust in the love of the […]
“They Just Disappeared”: Beyond Anorexia in Runners
Post updated March 16, 2021, to improve clarity and readability. We often picture eating disorders in the running world in the form of a frail girl crossing the finish line. There’s an assumption that this person will run into multiple stress fractures in the next few years. And that, that is how they will disappear […]
Guest Post With Megan Flanagan of Strong Runner Chicks: The Dark Side of Distance Running
I met Megan Flanagan through social media thanks to our interest in preventing eating disorders in the running world. With a similar mission of speaking about the topic, and encouraging those who struggle to speak up. I am excited to work with Megan in the near future, and I’m especially excited to share what she’s doing […]