Interview: Conan Marshall

Many people have used running as a tool to overcome adversity in their lives. It is amazing how such a simple thing as running can change peoples lives for the better and offer hope.

In this Q&A we talk with Laura Beth James, who has battled an eating disorder and used running as a vehicle for recovery.

Having run four world marathon majors, Laura’s goal is to run all six and to run an ultra-marathon (if the pandemic allows for it).

Hi Laura, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a 37-year-old mum of two, a passionate runner living in beautiful Derbyshire where I am blessed to have many running routes on my doorstep. I am also in recovery from an eating disorder, an eating disorder that has been part of my life for many years. I now volunteer at an eating disorders charity that I first accessed as a service user in 2017 and it feels great to be able to give something back. 

For people with limited knowledge of eating disorders, could you share the daily adversity that people face while living with anorexia or bulimia?

Living with an eating disorder is a daily relentless battle, there is an immense amount of time that is devoted to the eating disorder, it is mentally exhausting, it is painful, and it does take over your life

I spent my late teens with an unhealthy view towards my body which became worse as I got older, when I turned 20 I spent months trying to eat as little as possible, restricting my food was just the beginning. Somewhere deep inside me I knew that I had to start to eat more, then one day I thought I can eat . . . and then I can just expel the food after.

Bulimia was always with me, all day and night,  I called her B and for years she was my best friend. B was there 24/7, she was there telling me not to eat, telling me I had eaten too much, telling me that I need to exercise more.  

I’ve read that you have battled exercise addiction. Could you share your experience with this issue?

I became obsessed with exercise I would become very agitated and anxious if I missed a session. I went through a stage where I would hit the gym, followed by back-to-back workout classes during the daytime and then I would either return to the gym again at night or go for a run. 

I didn’t start running until I was 30, nobody knew that an extensive part of running for me back then was to burn off the food that I had consumed.

It’s great to hear that running has had such a positive impact on your life! Can you share with us how your running journey has helped you?

I have a much different relationship with running now, I don’t run to burn calories off, to reward myself with food, I am not obsessed with pace and times, I am not thinking I need to be lighter to run faster.

Instead, I enjoy the journey, I love the journey. I am so grateful that my body can now run high mileage weeks instead of breaking down on me, instead of feeling so fatigued. I am so grateful for every mile, every single step.  

When life became tough, I felt like my eating disorder was the only thing I could control, my eating disorder was my safety net.

I have gone from being at war with my body to being proud and appreciating what my body can do. Running now helps me deal with stress and difficulties, it’s my new best virtuous friend.

It doesn’t matter how far I go, whether it’s fast or slow, whether I hit the trails or pound the pavement, it doesn’t matter if it is a beautiful spring morning or a cold wet winter night, lacing my trainers up saves me daily, it helps to keep B quiet in the back of my head instead of the roaring shouting voice she once was.

I am asked many times, “why do you run so much Laura?! How do you fit it in?”

Many of us all know the huge mental and physical benefits, how running gives you powerful muscles, a healthier heart and body, increases life, gives us a stronger immune system, but the answer I always give is simply “Running keeps me sane!”.

The benefits of running for mental health and wellbeing are enormous and varied for many. When you started running, did you find a sense of community?

Running has helped me to love my body, it has made me more confident, I have met and made many friends in the wonderful running community. The running family is incredibly supportive, I love connecting with other runners to share the highs the lows, future goals, recommend routes. 

For many, it’s the daily/weekly routine that running brings which is so beneficial. Can you tell us about your training preparation and future goals?

2021 will hopefully be the year I can run my first ultra race, I have stepped up from marathon distance and have been regularly running high mileage weeks, unfortunately, due to the pandemic, all my planned races like many other runners have been cancelled.  

I have run four of the six world major marathons and my dream is to complete the six 26.2s, to achieve the six-star finishers medal.

For now, it is to keep getting out there, enjoying the freedom, and the first thing I want to do when Lockdown ends is to run around the Peak District, it feels so good for the soul running there.

What is your advice for anyone reading who is struggling with an eating disorder?

My advice to anyone that is struggling with an eating disorder or their mental health is to talk to someone you can trust, be brave and open up.

My life has changed so much since I was brave and admitted that I needed professional help.

Running will be beneficial to those in recovery with an eating disorder if the individual recognises the Eating Disorder and is focussed on recovery, professional support is vital to help the recovery process.

Rest and recovery days should be taken often, training should be balanced.

Be honest with those closest to you, having a supportive network is incredibly important, it is essential to maintain a healthy relationship with exercise and food.

Find routes that make you feel good, maybe local trails, a canal path, or road, plan to run those routes, the ones that make you feel good.

I now consider food as fuel, it’s giving me power and energy to run. I used to always run faster in the morning, it was another way for me to restrict my food however I always run on fuel now, I have my breakfast and once it’s settled I am out the door, and the difference is unbelievable. 

I’m now fuelled up and ready for my next running adventure...

Follow Laura on Instagram: laura_beth___