Today on The Hammer, we’re highlighting a deeply personal story from Coach Austen. As a collegiate standout at the University of Arkansas, Austen experienced both the highs of breakthrough performances and the lows of struggling with an eating disorder and RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Today, he shares his journey of resilience, faith, and renewed purpose to raise awareness about RED-S and encourage other athletes who may be facing similar challenges.

Comparison to Confidence

Austen’s Story of RED-S and Recovery

In 2014, Austen entered his freshman year at the University of Arkansas. A decorated high school runner from Texas with All-State honors and nationally ranked times in the 1600m, 3200m, and 5000m, he arrived with big goals - which he quickly achieved. That year, he raced at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, earned NCAA Indoor First Team All-American honors in the DMR, and ran 4:00 for the mile.

“I had handled my first year with confidence, and saw growth in every area of my sport, from training and recovery to strength work and consistency,” Austen recalls.

Instead of being intimidated by the SEC and NCAA levels of top competition, he embraced the challenge. But instead of trusting the process that led to that early success, he started comparing himself to others, worrying he was “too big”.

“I became obsessed with getting leaner, lighter, and smaller. Carbs became the enemy. My body became something I fought against instead of fueling.”

Distance running often perpetuates the idea that “smaller equals faster.” But that belief overlooks how individual body types vary, and how chronic underfueling can create long-term consequences for health and performance.

Most of those consequences aren’t evident right away - especially in regard to performance - which makes RED-S that much harder to identify and treat.

“What made it all the more dangerous was that I continued running well at first,” Austen says.

In 2015, he won Pre-Nationals, set a PR in the 8K, and jumped from 299th to 89th at NCAA Cross Country. But the progress didn’t last.

“I lost power. My weight yo-yoed. I began binge eating, followed by long periods of restriction. My performance tanked, and my joy for the sport disappeared.”

Over the next few seasons, Austen’s performances started to lag the trajectory indicated by his early successes. Though he still earned impressive accolades, including NCAA XC appearances and top finishes in the SEC and West Regional Championships, he was battling an eating disorder behind the scenes.

The turning point came a year after graduation, in 2020, when he sustained a sacral stress fracture.

“That injury forced me to stop, reflect, and heal. A dietitian gave me one of the most freeing truths I’ve ever heard: ‘You need to eat more. And eat better.’”

During his recovery, Austen leaned into his faith. He developed a new perspective on running, one rooted in gratitude rather than comparison. He learned how to fuel properly as a runner, prioritizing lots of carbs along with balanced proteins and fats. As he returned to health, so did his joy in the sport.

With renewed sense of purpose, Austen now shares his story openly to help others who may be struggling and to spread awareness about these issues.

“Today, I’m 29 and twenty pounds heavier than I was in college. I am the best runner I have ever been.”

This year alone, he has set new personal bests from the 800m to the 5K. Most importantly, he’s stayed healthy and excited to continue to see what he’s capable of in the sport.

Austen’s story is a clear reminder: RED-S and disordered eating can affect any runner, male or female. And they don’t just take away from performance, but can “rob athletes of health, joy, and purpose”.

His advice to those struggling:

“Fuel your body well. Fuel it often. Trust the frame God gave you. And don’t fall into the trap of comparison. It’s a thief! I consider myself one of the lucky ones who’s made it to the other side. But I know many who haven’t been so fortunate.”

Sources:

1. Cabre, H. E., Moore, S. R., Smith-Ryan, A. E., & Hackney, A. C. (2022). Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Scientific, Clinical, and Practical Implications for the Female Athlete. Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Sportmedizin, 73(7), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.5960/dzsm.2022.546

2. Lane, A. R., Hackney, A. C., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Kucera, K., Register-Mihalik, J. K., & Ondrak, K. (2021). Energy Availability and RED-S Risk Factors in Competitive, Non-elite Male Endurance Athletes. Translational medicine and exercise prescription, 1(1), 25–32.

⚒️ Hire Austen As Your Coach ⚒️

As someone who’s experienced both the highs and lows of the sport, Austen brings a grounded patience and understanding to the athletes he coaches. He’s ready to help you reach your fullest potential as a happy and healthy runner!

Featured Training Plan

NYC Marathon Plan (4:00 Goal Time) 🗽🏁

This plan was written by Reed Fischer, who finished 10th at the 2022 TCS NYC Marathon and has a personal best of 2:10:54 in the marathon. Reed brings some of his experience from his own NYC build and race into this training plan. This plan will be structured for runners capable of running between 30-50 mile weeks who have been running for a few weeks before starting this plan. Throughout the course of this 12-week training plan, you will run 4-5 runs/week. The first 9 weeks of the plan will gradually build up mileage and intensity, before beginning a three-week taper into race day. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the pursuit of your goal!

Tempo: About 5-6/10 effort. 9:10-8:55/mile pace. This is about marathon effort, you should feel comfortable enough to say a few sentences the whole time.

Marathon Goal Pace: 9:09/mile is the pace you'll need to run to break 4:00 on raceday. Keep that number in the back of your mind, but know that you'll be working toward that pace throughout the buildup.

Threshold: About 6-7/10 effort. 8:45-8:30/mile pace. This is about half marathon effort. You should be able to say a sentence or two if need be.

Reach out to us via email ([email protected]) or DM us on Instagram if you’d like us to recommend a plan that’s right for you.