The Runna Podcast Allie Ostrander on RED-S and Recovery | The Mental Battle Behind Elite Running
Jan 30, 2026
Allie Ostrander, NCAA champion and pro middle- and long-distance runner who has spoken openly about RED-S and eating disorder recovery. She discusses pressure and perfectionism in elite running. She recalls injury, forced treatment during Olympic training, and the slow, joy-focused path back to trusting her body. She also shares lessons about burnout, recovery, and redefining success.
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Build Identity Beyond Running
- Develop interests outside running to protect identity when injuries occur.
- Allie built a YouTube channel and considered study or part-time work to avoid over-identifying with sport.
Perfectionism's Double-Edged Role
- Perfectionism helps performance but easily slips into disordered behaviours when applied to body and diet.
- Allie links perfectionist tendencies to unintentionally crossing into harmful eating practices in sport.
Eating Disorder Origin And Forced Treatment
- Allie Ostrander started counting calories in sixth grade after overhearing comments about puberty and speed, which escalated into a long-term eating disorder.
- Years later she was forced into a six-week, 10-hour-a-day eating disorder treatment while training for the 2021 Olympic trials.