Running the Philadelphia Marathon: How to Protect Your Mind and Body From an Eating Disorder Therapist for Athletes
Philadelphia during marathon weekend is a vibe. There is so much excitement and energy surrounding the races, from the starting line near the Art Museum to the crowds along Kelly Drive. For many around Philly, this weekend is the highlight of the fall. Athletes work hard to train and fuel for months on end for this one weekend. As an eating disorder therapist for athletes in NJ and PA, I work with runners to navigate balance during prep for races like the Philadelphia Marathon.
Your Body is Not a Machine
Marathon culture can glorify pushing through pain, ignoring hunger and “earning” food and rest. However, these myths can be dangerous and toxic towards performance and overall health. Learning to listen to your body’s needs throughout a training cycle both physically and mentally is a part of the process. Stress is stress, whether it is mental stress from a hard day at work or physical from a hard workout.
Fueling is Not Option, It’s Essential for Athletes
Increased hunger cues are normal when increasing your training. Learning to fuel for your race by practicing fueling during training runs is an essential part of the training process. When in eating disorder therapy and training for a marathon, there may be fears of “eating too much” or “undoing the progress.” However, we now know that these are not true. Under-fueling when training can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport or (RED-s) and has many negative consequences on health and performance. Talk to a sports dietitian about how to make sure you are getting enough fuel for your body. Fueling is a form of respect for your body.
Rest and Recovery Are Part of Training
Rest is an important part of building muscle and strength. The “no days off” mindset can lead to fatigue and injury. Proper recovery includes sleep, nutrition and rest days in order to prevent injury and support mood and long term health. If you notice difficulty recovering from workouts, these are the top things to consider addressing with your team!
Navigating Comparison on Race Day
Comparison plays a huge mental toll on your body. This may be about pace, body type or performance. Try focusing on your “why” for running and the good days in your training that have brought you to where you are today. I encourage athletes before race day to write down a few reasons why they love running and racing and create a mantra for race day. This helps shift the focus from comparison to the hard work they have done throughout the training cycle.
Signs You Might Need to Reassess Your Relationship with Running
If you are struggling to get out the door in the morning and dreading race day, here are a few prompts to check in with yourself:
Do you feel guilty resting or missing a run?
Is food intake tied to mileage?
Do you feel anxious if you’re not training?
If you answered yes to any of these, it may be helpful to reach out for support. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed recovery, it means you’re still healing.
You Can Be Both an Athlete and in Eating Disorder Recovery
Training while in eating disorder recovery looks different for everyone. It is not for all athletes in recovery. However, for some it is possible to train, race and recover without sacrificing mental health. It is important for you to find a balance that works for you. The start is spending time reflecting on your relationship with running with your therapist. What is it that you are looking for post race? Is it connection, joy, pride or gratitude? The finish line is powerful, but your relationship with your body is what lasts.
Call to Action For Athletes
If you are training for the Philadelphia Marathon and struggling to balance your athletic goals with recovery, eating disorder therapy can help. As an eating disorder therapist for athletes in NJ and PA, I help runners build a healthier relationship with food, exercise and their body, without losing their love for running on marathon race day. Contact Serendipity Counseling to start your search for balance by following these steps.
Contact Serendipity Counseling and set up a free 20 minute consultation.
Schedule your first session with an eating disorder therapist for athletes.
Start your search for peace and freedom from food.
Additional Support for Athletes in Recovery
If you are looking for beyond 1:1 therapy, Serendipity offers a support group for athletes looking at re-evaluating their relationship with their sport post retirement. Retirement can come from injury, college, and life changes. Serendipity has also been featured in eating disorder podcasts for any to listen to for recovery motivation.
About the Author: An Eating Disorder Therapist for Athletes
Kate Ringwood is a licensed professional counselor that specializes in helping athletes find balance between recovery and their sport. Kate has worked in the field of eating disorders for about 15 years with a background as a competitive athlete herself. Kate is here to meet your where you are, while challenging the negative beliefs around food.
