Faith Newson: Marathon runner shares pressure to have ‘perfect’ ‘runners’ body’ resulting in her eating disorder

*Name changed for privacy*

Running. Imagine pushing your mind and body through several runs a week. Hitting 1,500 miles for 2021. Tempo runs, long runs, interval runs. After all this, you aren’t considered a runner all because you don’t have that ‘runner’s body’.

For many girls and women, this is the reality. Their success, determination and time all invalidated due to appearance.

For 22-year-old Faith Newson, a half-marathon runner training to become a marathon runner, this has had an effect on her love for the sport and her body. Ultimately resulting in an eating disorder.

“Once I did start running and seeing the weight drop off, I think it was addictive. I got really addicted to it and that was a coping mechanism because I was in control.”

The ‘Perfect’ ‘Runner’s body’

In 2019 it was said that 50 percent of marathon runners are women. (Dailymail, 2019)

With that meaning that half of those running marathons are female, they will all look significantly different despite completing the same mileage.

For many female runner’s they know when they are performing that eyes are on more than just their athletic ability. With their talent for running being based more on the size of their bodies.

This makes many scared to run due to how they will be perceived.

“I used to only go down the canal in the mornings with a cap on because I didn’t want anyone to see me.

“It can make you feel insecure, and make you start wondering what people who see me will say about me,” she remembers.

For Jessica, the expectation implemented by social media caused her to form a drive for this stereotypical ‘runner’s body.’

“My body changed a lot, I was just bones because I was just running, running, running and not eating enough for the long runs.”

Many are told the slimmer and smaller you are the faster you will be and therefore more successful you’ll be.

“When I started eating more and doing weights, I was feeling heavier on my runs,” she says.

“The rumours you hear like the less you weigh the quicker your run, I did believe that.”

As times are changing, slowly as is the idea of running for strength rather than weight loss.

“Once you see progress you don’t want to give up on it.”

This was said in terms of losing weight. However, for this runner this is now her attitude on gaining strength by fuelling her runs more efficiently.

Change in mindset

After many injuries, Faith decided to change her mindset towards running and food. With the need to change if she was to be able to complete the Manchester half marathon in her desired time.

“I had a realisation. My body is going through a lot, it’s putting me through them marathons and half marathons so I should be more accepting at how it’s making me perform,” She explains.

To keep herself accountable and help others, Faith created a Tiktok account in hopes to shift her thinking from only feeling valid as a runner when a certain slim size.

“I think lockdown helped as everyone started running and a lot of people are more accepting of it no matter what size you are.”

From this she has created a following. Often receiving 50,000 views by uploading ‘What I eat in a day’ to let others know to not feel guilty about what they eat.

Onwards and Upwards

After a few years of succumbing to the expectations put on her body, 2022 hopes to be the year for Faith and her running.

“Now I’m good with my running and my eating and doing it more because I enjoy it,” she says.

As me and Faith end our conversation, you can see the excitement she feels for the 2022 Manchester Marathon.

This excitement comes after finally changing the phrase ‘Perfect’ ‘Runner’s body’ into what means for Faith fuelling her body and building up strength.

“We all grow, and we all change,” says Faith.

Running as a woman. Others depicting your talent and devotion to running based solely on what the body that just took you 26.2 miles looks like.