Staying on top of your game season after season isn’t easy for any athlete, even more so when it comes to track and field stars. However, sometimes a chronic issue can cause further dents to the career of sprinters, making it difficult to keep their heads in the game, as four-time NCAA D1 gold medalist Allie Ostrander can attest to. After being diagnosed with an eating disorder in 2021, Ostrander has been working hard on her recovery, and it looks like the time is finally here.

Belgrade will host the World Cross Country Championships this weekend, and the Boise State athlete is looking to make a comeback with the bigger prize of the Olympics looming overhead. And she doesn’t want to turn a blind eye to similar problems faced by her colleagues.

Track and field star makes her stand

In a recent YouTube upload, Allie Ostrander extended her thoughtful words to other athletes who have a hard time coping with their eating disorders. In the video, Ostrander says that her sickness was brushed under the carpet instead of being talked about more. “…that unwillingness to acknowledge the less glamorous parts of our sport is causing lasting damage to tens of thousands of people every single year“, noted Allie.

She mentioned that going to a reputed college on a good athletics scholarship was the only thing that motivated her to continue her cross-country dreams with gusto. And yet, the “foot locker curse” deviated significantly from her path to the top, resulting in poor scores during her initial years. Ostrander also talked about the instance of America’s greatest high school long-distance runner of all time Mary Cain to highlight how coaches can also cause serious damage to athletes’ mindset.

Allie went on to claim that the long-distance system is based on the male athletes’ performances and requirements, hence largely overlooking the female athletes’ needs. “…we need a lot more research around female progression“, stated Allie, highlighting that more widespread attention must be levied on the issue. With her determination to help others find their way through the ordeal, Ostrander herself is gearing up to show the world that being bogged down by adversities isn’t the solution.

Allie’s big dreams

Allie has completely overhauled her training regimen in hopes of making a triumphant comeback in Belgrade on March 30. In a recent interview with Citius Mag, Ostrander mentioned that her mentality has changed considerably and she’s looking to make every opportunity count. “I have a much different perspective on not just myself, but also on the sport. I have a different coach who has a different philosophy. My training is different. Honestly, it’d be easier to answer what’s the same than what has changed“, claimed the young long-distance runner.

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“I think the main idea (for Worlds) is to show up with curiosity and courage“, said David Roche, Allie’s coach, who thinks his student will definitely make her mark after her prolonged battle with the eating disorder. “So what I really want her to do is get there and really enjoy the experience.“, Roche further said, hinting that his Some-Work All-Play philosophy just might have found its poster girl.

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