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I’ve experienced both a fixation on an “ideal” race weight & form and had the most string of serious injuries (~ 7 or more) in three years that I’ve ever had. I’ve removed myself from that programming & way of thinking and haven’t seen an MRI or imaging machine in over 15 months. https://twitter.com/geoffreyburns/status/1194708848616951809">https://twitter.com/geoffreyb...
Some of my injuries:
- Complete fracture of 2nd metatarsal
- Plantar tear @ calcaneal attachment + calcaneal edema
- Plantar Fascitis
- Two tibia stress injuries (one stress fracture + one high grade stress reaction... scratched from Trials ‘16)
- High grade Soleus strain
- Complete fracture of 2nd metatarsal
- Plantar tear @ calcaneal attachment + calcaneal edema
- Plantar Fascitis
- Two tibia stress injuries (one stress fracture + one high grade stress reaction... scratched from Trials ‘16)
- High grade Soleus strain
My menstrual cycle also became irregular (which was never the case for me since first getting it @ 15)... sometimes it would come a week or two late, sometimes it would last entirely too long and be too heavy, sometimes it would barely last past a full day. Red flag. 
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I also fluctuated in weight A LOT, which has never been my normal. Again, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚩" title="Triangular flag on post" aria-label="Emoji: Triangular flag on post">. For durations of time I’d be 3 - 6lbs over “race weight.” I’d then restrict carbohydrate intake outside of pre/during/post workout and/or race feuling, then I would be a few pounds under “race weight.”
Now, if I’m hungry - I eat! If I’m craving something - I eat it (mostlyhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍷" title="Wine glass" aria-label="Emoji: Wine glass">or https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍫" title="Chocolate bar" aria-label="Emoji: Chocolate bar">). When I wander the grocery aisle or cook a meal I’m no longer stressing myself out. I fuel my body with nutrient-rich, whole foods & don’t restrict myself during certain times of the season anymore.
When it came down to it, stress was the BIGGEST factor - I was stressing about my weight, eating, my form, doing too much outside of practice (i.e. work/ going concerts/ joining organizations/ things I https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">), workouts/races, everything.
Practice became no longer fun. It took everything I had somedays to show up and just get an easy run in, it took even more to lace up for a workout, and it took everything I had to put spikes on and not break down or drop out of a race.
The right way to do things is your way. It doesn’t have to look like someone else& #39;s & you don’t have to change yourself to fit a mold. If that means being a part of a team of baller individuals that lift you up, support you & make you happy - that is freaking awesome.
If it that means you’re running for a company that you believe in, that believes in you and wants to help you succeed in your own way - that is also freaking awesome!!
If it’s on your own, unsponsored, & supported by a team of people that love you for you - I’ve learned that this, too, is really awesome (shout out to my people).
Find out what makes you happy & if someone/something is weighing you down & sucking the fun out of your life or what you’re doing, make the change you been wanting to make or let them or it go. Speak up in the process and reach out for help. You have more power than you think!!
If anyone seeing this ever wants to talk or needs advice, please consider me a friend & lending ear. It’s clear that a lot has to be done to keep pushing the needle forward in our sport, but it’s happening & we can keep making progress. Just know that you have a friend in me. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤗" title="Hugging face" aria-label="Emoji: Hugging face">
Thank you, @runmarycain, @karagoucher, @nytimes, @lindsaycrouse, @ChrisChavez, @SInow & more for opening the flood gates and pushing the conversation/progress forward. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😊" title="Smiling face with smiling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with smiling eyes">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart"> you’ve got a whole army behind you!!
