From: shadowrunner32 on
Dear Community,

My name is Jared Swanson and I am at the University of Minnesota where
I am doing research on disordered eating in female
cross-country/distance runners. We know what a controversial and
problem area this is and there is still much to learn. I am excited
about being able to add some unique insights to our current knowledge
and I am writing to ask for your help.
I believe there is a wealth of information hidden away in personal
diaries the runners may have kept. It's my hope to use those diaries
as a primary data source. I also believe one of the more challenging
parts of my research will be in finding the people who have kept them.
I am hoping you would help me along these lines.
I've copied below a document that elaborates further and gives
contact information. If you are a potential participant, I look forward
to hearing from you. Or, if it would be possible for you to forward
that document to potential participants (runners past or present) or
post the attachment in a place where people may see it that would be a
tremendous help. There is also a copy of this document at
www.tc.umn.edu/~fiexx001/participants.doc
If you'd like to talk with me further, I'd welcome the
opportunity. My email address is swan0704(a)umn.edu.

Respectfully,


Jared Swanson



Research Participants Needed

Disordered Eating in Female Distance Runners: A Qualitative Diary View

Hi...my name's Rick Fie and I'm at the University of Minnesota. I
appreciate your stopping here to have a look. I've had a lifelong
professional and personal interest in "disordered" eating and I am
in a position this year to be able to do some original research along
those lines. I have a great desire to educate people about this area
and I could use your help.

In recent years there has been a tremendous amount of research about
disordered eating and much has been learned. Yet there is still so much
to understand. As the area continues to grow, new questions and
interesting ways of answering them are emerging.

In terms of athletics, very few studies have actually looked at how
certain types of behaviors surrounding eating develop, or especially,
the meanings and purposes associated with them. However, there is a
wealth of that type of information out there---the question is: how to
get at it? I believe it may be hidden in the personal diaries of
runners.

I got the idea from reading Mary Wazeter's book "Dark marathon, the
Mary Wazeter story: The ongoing struggles of a world class runner".
Mary relied heavily on her personal diary/training journal by way of
telling her story. Her book is full of insights and experiences that
when brought to light help us to understand her eating from a unique
and worthwhile perspective.

If you are a female who ran cross country in high school and/or
college, kept a diary (or an extended training journal) and wrote about
your experiences with any of the following: fasting, severe caloric
restriction, vomiting, diet pill, laxative or diuretic use, excessive
exercise or special/ritualistic dieting, you could be a participant in
my study. Your diary could be a wealth of information towards building
an understanding about these things.

We wouldn't have to meet in person; you would not have to actually
part with your diary; and you will remain anonymous in terms of the
analysis. If you're interested, I hope you will drop me an email at
fiexx001(a)umn.edu and we discuss the consent process, and how to arrange
our communication.