Unlearning Toxic Views: A Runner's Journey Towards a Healthier Mindset

As a former collegiate runner, I developed many unhealthy habits and toxic views that I am still trying to unlearn, five years later. I used to believe that being skinny was the key to running fast, and that consuming too many carbs would make me gain weight. I would go to the sauna after track workouts to shed more weight.I also thought that being able to run without eating or drinking meant I was strong, and that running easy runs quickly meant I was getting faster. 

I believed that doing high reps with low weights was the best approach to avoid getting too bulky, and that staying up late the night before a long run would not affect my performance. I also believed that how fast I ran was a reflection of my worth. Among all of that, I thought I was a slow runner.

Since graduating, I have been learning and trying to get rid of those toxic views. I now know that many of these beliefs are not only false, but also unhealthy. For example, being skinny does not necessarily make one a faster runner, and consuming enough carbs is essential for fueling the body during runs. Carbs help your glycogen stores, which helps fuel your muscles for the next run. 

Also, running without eating or drinking can lead to dehydration and injury, and running easy runs quickly can actually increase the risk of injury. This explains why I was injured so often in college (and after). By fueling and hydrating properly, taking easy runs easy, and adding in heavy lifting, I know that I can prevent injury and increase my overall strength.

While my relationship with food is getting better, I still have room to grow. Food is fuel for our bodies, and getting enough nutrients is crucial for boosting running performance. Fueling and hydrating during runs does not make me weak, if anything, it makes me a better runner. It is important to maintain energy and hydration levels during runs, especially long runs.

It has taken me some time to unlearn these views, but I am proud of how far I have come so far and how I’ve been able to change my mindset around food and my body image. My hope is that I can help others learn from my mistakes and realize that skinny does not equal faster. By embracing healthy habits and positive attitudes, we can all become stronger, healthier, and happier runners.