Dear Athlete,

 

You might be feeling frustrated. Maybe you’re injured, maybe you’re feeling a pressure (internally OR externally) to eat less or stress immensely over the food on your plate. Whatever it may be…you’re not alone.

 

It’s time to come together to switch the mindset that thinner is faster; to switch the mindset that our self-worth is based on the times we run, the places we get, and the food we do/don’t eat.

 

Here is a note from one of our own. Someone who gets you…someone who has been there…someone who’s had their sport ripped from them because they didn’t nourish their body with the nutrients it needed:

Female Athlete Testimonial #1:

As a high school runner you’re so focused numbers, you’re so focused on what place you come in, the time you run, the numbers on the scale or the grade in a classroom. Being a high school girl–especially as a female high school athlete, it is so tough. When you have running taken away from you…it’s horrible. As a runner I would base my days around my run. I would base what I would eat depending on what time I would be running.

 

As a runner you don’t realize how much running consumes your life. You don’t realize running is your life until it is taken away from you.

 

Heartbreak

Being injured is the worst feeling for a high school runner. I was in a boot for four weeks and I felt like I was letting my teammates, my coaches, and myself down because I couldn’t run. The days before I was injured, I took for granted.

 

I realized I was injured because I wasn’t eating enough. I got hurt because my mental health was not great and I wasn’t eating enough and getting all the nutrients I needed. This was because my focus was so fixated on the mentality that: if the scale numbers were lower, my times would drop.

“You don’t realize running is your life until it is taken away from you.”

Regret

I didn’t run on all the days I could. I would say “it’s okay, I’ll just run tomorrow.” After being injured and being out, I don’t think I will take the days I don’t have scheduled runs (and have to go do them on my own) for granted. It might suck taking those first couple steps out of the house…that first mile might suck, but you just have to be glad you’re able to run.

Comradery

My teammates were a big part of me coming back to run. They were the ones encouraging me to run. They are the ones pushing me because they depend on me; when the season rolls around I’ll be standing with those 6 others girls on the starting line. My teammates keep me grounded and keep me motivated.

“My focus was so fixated on the mentality that: if the scale numbers were lower, my times would drop.”

I am able to finally get a handle on eating better and eating enough for my body and what I’m doing just throughout the day–let alone activities like running, biking, or lifting. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter about what time you run, what place you come in. In all honestly it only matters that you’re doing what makes you happy and keep you healthy. You have to put yourself first and be your own priority.

 

-Anonymous

(Track/XC Female Athlete)

 

Thank you for reading. And if this resonates or if you have a story you want to share, send me a DM or even email it to me. Type it in your notes app, write it on paper, free text it…whatever format is best! I’ll be sure to keep it anonymous (if that’s what you prefer) and post it under the Testimonial page. Female Athlete Testimonial posts are updated weekly.

 

Your story matters. Your experience may be unique…but many people will relate, and they need to hear what you have to share. Let me be the bridge between your story and getting your words out to the world.

 

Have you listened to the podcast yet?! If not, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

 

Check out where my “Dear Running,” episode is located; click here and listen!