Just wanted to promote this really awesome article in Runner's World on disordered eating.
Like eating disorders, disordered eating, restrictive eating, and anorexia athletica (sports anorexia) are serious issues that need awareness and education.
There is a stigma in our society in talking about mental health issues, but if you or someone you know are exhibiting signs or symtpoms of an eating disorder, disordered eating, or anorexia athletica, I urge you to seek help.
This issue means a lot to me on a very personal level. It is incredibly easy to fall into habits that can spiral out of control. Seek help and listen to those who love you and care about you.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Running through Grief
I lost a very dear friend at the beginning of this month. It has been a painful experience to say the least. It was sudden, unexpected, and hit me awfully hard.
A week after her passing I was signed up for my first race of the year - the Virginia is For Lovers 14k in Virginia Beach, VA. I didn't want to run. I didn't want to eat. I didn't want to do anything that whole week leading up to the race. The night before the run, I said some extra prayers and made a committment to run this race for her. She was always one of my biggest supporters, encouraging and guiding me through some hard decisions.
I ended up having one of the best runs of my life that day. I didn't hurt, I didn't walk, I didn't doubt myself. I finished that race 8 minutes under my goal time with a smile on my face.
Most days I wake up and think about what I'm going to be eating, what workouts I will do, what the scale is going to say, and I make myself crazy over those details. And I probably will always worry about those things, to some extent. Over the last few weeks though, I have been finding more joy in my running. I feel a sense of peace when I tie up my sneakers and hit the road. Running outside, in the cold, with the sun on my face, I feel calm.
Take the time to do a workout you enjoy. Before, I would do a long run because I felt I had to. I would take a class because I felt like I needed to burn more calories, even if I wasn't having fun. I want to have fun when I work out. It is my time, for my soul and my body. And I won't take one more day for granted.
A week after her passing I was signed up for my first race of the year - the Virginia is For Lovers 14k in Virginia Beach, VA. I didn't want to run. I didn't want to eat. I didn't want to do anything that whole week leading up to the race. The night before the run, I said some extra prayers and made a committment to run this race for her. She was always one of my biggest supporters, encouraging and guiding me through some hard decisions.
I ended up having one of the best runs of my life that day. I didn't hurt, I didn't walk, I didn't doubt myself. I finished that race 8 minutes under my goal time with a smile on my face.
Most days I wake up and think about what I'm going to be eating, what workouts I will do, what the scale is going to say, and I make myself crazy over those details. And I probably will always worry about those things, to some extent. Over the last few weeks though, I have been finding more joy in my running. I feel a sense of peace when I tie up my sneakers and hit the road. Running outside, in the cold, with the sun on my face, I feel calm.
Take the time to do a workout you enjoy. Before, I would do a long run because I felt I had to. I would take a class because I felt like I needed to burn more calories, even if I wasn't having fun. I want to have fun when I work out. It is my time, for my soul and my body. And I won't take one more day for granted.
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