![]() Though eating disorder recovery involves none of that-there are no neatly measured courses or clear finish lines. We plan to dress for rain, for snow, or for sun. Just like in a race, we think, finished, done. When, or if, they return, the athlete shares that they underwent eating disorder treatment. Perhaps they drop away from competition for a bit-maybe months, maybe years. As fans, we know a common story: a young athlete struggles with various injuries. For both, we assume a clear start and finish. Runners often speak of eating disorder recovery like they speak of race day. “This transparency saves lives when it educates and builds awareness…It allows some to recognize their own behaviors as problematic and leads them to seek help.” However, seeking help is only the beginning. “Those who share their stories often say that it helps them stay motivated for recovery,” explains Quatromoni, who is also the chair of the Health Sciences Department at Boston University. ![]() Paula Quatromoni, DSc, RD, an associate professor of nutrition at Boston University, agrees. Overall, athletes must ask themselves: is sharing now supportive of my recovery? If the answer is yes, the outcome is almost always positive-for the athlete, and for their fans. “Some may find it triggering or get caught up in the comparison trap,” which may impede recovery. “Everyone’s eating disorder journey is personal and unique,” she says. Kylee Van Horn, a sports-oriented registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and founder of FlyNutrition, who specializes in working with athletes in eating disorders and low-energy availability recovery, believes transparency can serve a positive role in recovery. ![]() All I had heard of was the rainbows on the other side.” Of course, Ostrander clarifies, recovery is individual, and she would never fault an athlete who chooses not to share. But I hadn’t heard anything about the middle-of-the-road details-where things got hard, where they struggled. “I had heard stories of people who had gone through recovery and come out the other side stronger. “I was feeling pretty alone,” Ostrander reflects. Still, in a sport ripe with disorder, Ostrander’s decision was unique: she shared her story in the early throes of treatment. Mary Cain’s 2019 New York Times op-doc launched somewhat of a #MeToo Movement for sports-athletes sharing their experiences, not only with eating disorders, but also with coaches and programs that cultivate unhealthy behaviors. Over the years, various professional runners-such as Mary Cain, Molly Seidel, and Amelia Boone-have shared their stories and raised awareness. And treatment can be dire: eating disorders rank second, only to opioid addictions, as the mental health condition with the highest mortality rates. The earlier an athlete (or anyone) seeks treatment, the greater their likelihood for recovery. They affect people of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, religions, sexual orientations, body shapes and weights. What we do know for sure is that eating disorders do not discriminate. Though research is evolving, the best available evidence shows that they stem from a complex overlay of social and psychological factors. Far from “fad diets” or “phases,” eating disorders are serious, life-threatening mental and physical illnesses. Studies suggest that up to 47 percent of elite runners may suffer from clinical eating disorders. Her openness introduces an important question for athletes, coaches, and anyone involved in the sport of running: what role does transparency play when it comes to eating disorder treatment and prevention? Eating Disorders and Runners: The FactsĮating disorders are common in endurance sports. Her outspokenness trickles into her professional career, as she recently signed a new sponsorship contract with NNormal, a company that supports her mental health advocacy in addition to her racing career. Nearly two years later, 26-year-old Ostrander continues to take fans along for the ups and downs of recovery. But her silence is about to end: the YouTube video will eventually amass 93,000 views. At the time, she is in a partial-hospitalization program, and “eating disorder” is a diagnosis she has never shared publicly before. “Yesterday marked five weeks, for me, of intensive eating disorder treatment,” says the professional track runner and three-time NCAA steeplechase champion. She pauses, breathes deeply, and begins to speak. The words are delicate, though, and fear is palpable. It’s June of 2021 and Ostrander has a message for her fans. The video opens on Allie Ostrander, clad in a cutoff t-shirt and hyperventilating. To seek help for yourself or a loved one, please reach out to the National Eating Disorders Association. Note: this article includes discussion of eating disorders and eating disorder recovery. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
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