I am a runner. It defines me. Whether I’m kicking my training plan’s butt or in a running rut, I’m still a runner. So when it comes to my body, I am more into what it does than how it looks. Even so, from time to time when I step on the scale I still critically examine my muffin top in the mirror, and go to drastic measures (like skipping more » Read more
When Healthy Becomes Unhealthy: Orthorexia
Chances are you’ve heard of Anorexia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa. Binge Eating Disorder. Maybe even EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). Long-distance runners have some tendencies to flirt with eating disordered behaviors; after all, we’re somewhat obsessed with health, nutrition and exercising. That’s all fine and dandy, unless it’s taken too far. For some, our personalities and obsessive running habits enter into the dark side, leading toward full-fledged, diagnosable mental illnesses. more » Read more
Who Are You? The Importance of Self-Image to Running Success
Picture yourself running. What are you wearing? Where are you in relation to others? Are you happy? Are you struggling? Are you who you want to be? Recently, I started training with my elite development team again. Because I’m just returning to fitness, I’m struggling to keep up with my teammates. Then the other day, I noticed I’ve labeled myself: the old slow one. When I picture myself in workouts, more » Read more
Through My Runner’s Eyes
Like most women, through the years I’ve obsessed over just about every part on my body. There was always something I was trying to improve on – more definition in my quads, a perkier butt, better shoulder cap…and the list goes on and on. You know what I’m talking about, I’m sure! But when we start to feel this way it’s important to take a second look in the mirror more » Read more
Ask A Salty: Poor Body Image
Welcome back to our Ask-A-Salty feature, where you ask us questions and we give you the answers. If you have a question for us you can send it to us by clicking on “Ask-A-Salty” above the banner or by clicking here. Today’s question comes from Katie: I am a 16 year old girl and I love to run. I’m on my school’s cross-country team and I’ve been in the sport since 7th grade. I usually more » Read more
On Loving Our Runner Bodies: A Salty Challenge Refresher
As runners, we should love our bodies. Strong. Able to carry us many miles. Incredible lungs. Powerful muscles. Legs that are capable of striding us through so many training runs. We are living miracles – each atom, cell, tissue and ligament is intricately crafted to allow us to do just what we love to do: run. Unfortunately, after being inundated by unrealistic-for-most-of-us images of washboard-abbed elites and stick thin supermodels on a daily basis, most of us more » Read more
When ED Comes Creeping
Yes, ED likes to creep around, especially in June, July and August. ED isn’t my husband, or my best friend, or my dog; ED is my eating disorder. They say it takes 45 days to break a habit, right? Breaking up with ED completely has taken … well, longer. Though I’ve been in recovery for 2 years and 8 months (but who’s counting) the old habits of my ED still creep some days, especially more » Read more
What Body Part Would You Remove for Your Running?
I enjoy a good movie as much as anyone, but for me to sit still for two straight hours requires three things: bad weather, a long run finished, and the possibility that Russell Crowe might appear on the screen. Otherwise, count me out. But I snapped to attention last week upon hearing the news that Angelina Jolie had removed her breasts. Or rather, surgeons did, at her request, to dramatically more » Read more
Is BMI just a bunch of BS?
I first learned about the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation my junior year of college while munching a turkey and swiss wrap in the back row during my Health Psychology class. I must have heard of it before then, but I’d never taken the time to calculate my own. During class, we used a simple height/weight calculation and I remember falling within the “normal” range and thinking “well, crap, I more » Read more
Learning to Love Myself, the Runner
In almost three years of long distance running, I can’t remember how many times I’ve run 20-plus mile training runs. There’s one that has stuck in my mind. I headed to one of my favorite trails. When I reached the parking lot at the trailhead I turned off the car, took a deep breath and sighed. It was raining lightly out. Instead of bounding out of the car ready to more » Read more
The Rolling Thunder
The December air burns in my chest a little, but it feels good. It’s awakening my body and my brain, forcing my legs to propel forward this body that causes me so much stress and frustration. I am acutely aware that my thick thighs are bright red from the chill and quaking with every impact of a lightweight, neutral shoe on the crunching snow. I love them for it as more » Read more
On Being A Fat Happy Runner – A Guide to Plus Size Running
Hello, everyone! I suppose I should open by introducing myself. I’m Joy, and I blog at My Year To Thrive. I was really excited when Cinnamon contacted me about guest posting at Salty Running to talk about being a plus-size runner who runs for fun and health without the goal of weight loss. On my personal blog I write about running as a short, fat, Bipolar woman. Yes, it is more » Read more
Beginner Body Image: My Body, My Body, My Body and Me
I know some of the Salties have taken the challenge and run this summer sansashirt. I’m not at that place. Partly for the safety of other runners who could have their retinas burned from the bright whiteness of my skin; I’d be afraid that all of the many seniors I pass along the way would mistake my belly for the light they’ve been trying to hold off from seeing as more » Read more
Choose Recovery, Choose Life: An Inside Look at Eating Disorders
Eating disorders affect more than 10 million women and 1 million men worldwide. In athletes, the presence of an eating disorder/energy deficit, loss of menstrual period (amenorrhea) and low bone density is collectively called the Female Athlete Triad. The Female Athlete Triad results from an imbalance in energy: energy in < energy out. Each of the conditions that comprise the Triad can exist alone. However, according to the Female Athlete Triad more » Read more
Love Your Body for What it Does: Clove’s Salty Challenge!
I’ve always hated my stomach. Hate is such a terrible word, and I try to use it sparingly. But it was a good hook, and something I think many women can relate to. My family traditionally carries weight in the stomach, and though I run 100 miles a week faithfully and do core work every day, my stomach will probably never be what I want it to be. The saddest more » Read more