Running in Silence: My Drive for Perfection and the Eating Disorder That Fed It

It had been hours since I ran at track practice that winter, but I hadn't bothered to shower, let alone change clothes. No, I didn't have time for that, because I had found the answer to my prayers.

This has to be it.
Eat all the fruit you want.
Never get fat.
Raw. Food. Diet.

Rachael Steil clocked in as an All-American collegiate runner; she became a girl clawing for a comeback on a 30-bananas-a-day diet. This year-long struggle with raw food ended when she realized she had to find her self-respect beyond her identity as a successful runner on a perfect diet. Running in Silence opens the door on the secret world of eating disorders. It provides vital insights for those who don't suffer from this disease and an honest and harrowing personal story for those who do. Steil challenges the stigma of eating disorders, looks past appearance, and dives into the heart of obsession.

Rachael Steil writes articles about running and eating disorders for her website www.RunninginSilence.com, (awarded Top Eating Disorder Blog), and is a speaker and advocate. She was 6th and 7th place NAIA All-American in cross country and track for Aquinas College, and now coaches at Grandville High School. Steil's work has been endorsed by Gail Hall, Director of Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders in Michigan; Nancy Clark, registered dietitian and board certified specialist in sports dietetics; Paula Quatromoni, Chairman of the Department of Health Sciences at Boston University; and Suzy Favor Hamilton, Olympic middle distance runner and mental health advocate. Steil's greatest achievement was not breaking a physical barrier, but a mental one.