This one is for the ladies!... and their parents.... and their coaches, and team-mates.... This is a brilliant look into the struggles that young female athletes face as their (our) bodies change. Lauren Fleshman was a collegiate runner at Stanford during the time that I ran for the University of Washington. Lauren was GOOD. She was fast and..... tiny.
This one hits close to home for 2 reasons: 1) I was a college runner and can identify with all of her words about the experience. and 2) Because I experienced these things, I went on to study sport psychology and write my masters dissertation on the coaches role on female distance runners' eating related issues. (If you'd like more information on my dissertation, please shoot me an email!)
The female-athlete triad is a very real issue that is quite common among female athletes. The issues associated with the triad (amenorrhea, disordered eating and low bone mass density) can have a lifelong impact on the athlete, and in severe cases is fatal. It has become increasingly important for young female athletes and their parents to understand the issues and impacts associated.
This is a letter that current Lauren wrote to high school/college Lauren. It's a good read for any female athlete, as well as coaches and parents of female athletes. Support and HOW you provide (or receive) support is integral to the appropriate development and lasting career of the female athlete. I think THE MOST powerful line in this wonderful letter is this: "You will see girls react to a changing body in three ways: give up, ride it out, or fight against it. With 100 percent confidence, I can tell you the best choice is to ride it out. The best is yet to come."
Thank you, Lauren. You are a fantastic example and role model for the future of women in sport. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these issues, please email me at linden.j.thompson@gmail.com