The Anorexic Runner
The Anorexic Runner

I used to feel an unbearable pressure to appear a certain way. So much so, I became borderline anorexic. My thoughts went something like this: It’s okay to eat an apple today, but only half. I need to cut back anyways… I had entered in to a toxic relationship where image was my god and love was conditional.

My mind was slowly killing my body. I didn’t realize how desperately I needed an endorphin release. Endorphins, in layman’s terms, are those peptides in the brain that react with our opiate receptors in order to raise our pain threshold and cause pleasure or euphoria. Like a “runner’s high.” Which was just what I needed to get my life back on track. Literally. I needed to run on the track.

I didn’t grow up as an experienced runner, nor did I have any previous interest. It was simply this deep desire to lose weight that first got me started. Of course, this can be a healthy motivation, as long as you aren’t sick like I was. Luckily for me, the more I ran, the healthier I got; thanks to the endorphin release I was able to experience, which allowed my mind to escape its loud echoes of criticism and doubt. Not that it happened immediately. Becoming a runner took time. When I first started, my body was weak and unhealthy. My bones were brittle, my muscles weren’t tone, and my mind was unclear. I experienced side cramps, stomach aches, headaches, feelings of exhaustion and leg pain. All common reasons why some beginning runners claim to “hate” running. But the key was to keep going; which I did. And as I persisted, the pressure that’d been weighing me down lifted. As my lungs breathed in more air I began to feel more free. Eventually I was running so much my body required more fuel to keep it up and I got back to a healthy weight. And as I transitioned from anorexia to runner the less of a chore and the more of a deep desire running became.

Everyone is different, but if you’re thinking about giving running a try, I can promise if you start and keep at it, you will get better. The human body is a miraculous creation. Many people begin their running journey and lose heart because they feel they aren’t making any progress. Let me tell you something, taking one running step rather than none is progress! It’s only in not trying that no progress can be made.

“In order to finish you must start.” -Nike

 
 
Seen a lot of slim chicks posting their

workouts on here so I thought I'd join 

the fun
Warning : I will bully every one of you

into daily stretches, plyo drills, crazy 

intervals, lifting heavy weights and 

epic long runs
104 °F.....  As my Grandma says, 

"Marathon training ain't for p*ssies."



Crazy old lady is right.

New Featured eBibs

There is no magic pill.  No special shake.  No secret diet.  Just get off your ass!
Why does it take two weeks to take off three pounds  and only two days to  gain 'em back?
Something only a runner would  understand... Traveling somewhere  new to run a race IS vacation!
She asked me to tell her those three words that every girl wants to hear. So I said "Buy the shoes!"
As I was running a 5k, I heard someone clapping for me. Then i realized it was just  my thighs cheering me on!!
RUN-GRY... When you are so hungry from your  long run or your increase in milage  that you must eat.all.the.things!!
Some days you eat salads and go to  the gym. Some days you eat cupcakes and refuse to put on pants.  It's called balance.
You know you're a runner when... The thermometer says 45 degrees  and you think Score! Optimal running weather!!!
Recovery... another little evil word  from the running world.. almost as ugly as Taper.
I'm glad I'm only competing with  myself because everyone else is  kicking my ass.
Trying to embrace taper week is like feeding a kid candy then telling him  to sit still.... it ain't easy!!
Marathon Thoughts:  I'm going to die. But if I don't,  I totally want to do this again.
Having a productive work week before marathon weekend. Yeah, not going to happen.
You know you're a runner when... You no longer hate port-a-potties. In fact, there have been times  you've been very happy  to see one.
Be gentle... it's our first time. 26.2
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