Annie Rodenfels on period health, body dysmorphia, and Queerness in running

This conversation is published in full on the Lane 9 Podcast, episode 43.

“I feel like on every team I’ve been on, I’ve been someone who has eaten the most…which is sometimes a little daunting,” Annie Rodenfels shared with Lane 9, during podcast episode 43. We got to talk to Rodenfels about everything from period health, queerness in running, to body dysmorphia, and why she’s still coaching herself—longer than she anticipated doing so! 

Rodenfels is a professional runner based in Boston MA, coming off of an indoor track season that included two Personal Bests (PBs) in her events. After leaving the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) high performance team last year, she’s been coaching herself while figuring out next steps with a sponsor and/or team. While it’s not her preference, she’s done it well enough to keep herself in the mix competitively. 

In this conversation, Rodenfels shared her experiences from high school to D3 collegiate running to both the sub-elite and professional running environments—covering topics like periods, eating enough, body dysmorphia, and queerness in the sport of running (or…what feels like a lack thereof, compared to some other prominent women’s sports). 

Also in this conversation: 

• an update on her current training
• her take on the 2025 indoor season (and her 2 PBs)
• why she’s still coaching herself, and balancing working 20 hours per week with training and competing
• the various team cultures she has experienced when it comes to periods, nutrition, body image, and having access to resources (or having to find them on your own) that high level competitors may want/need during various seasons (e.g. a dietitian, mental health therapist, etc.)
• protective factors (for her) against disordered eating, despite some experiences with body dysmorphia 
• Queer culture and representation in women’s sports, and how it feels a bit lacking in the running space; why she shared her bisexuality more publicly about two years ago
• the race distance, and big audacious goal she might take on, in the future

Follow Annie on Instagram (@andrearodenfels) and/or Strava. 

To connect with a clinician who can help you navigate fueling for performance, treating REDs, body image, mental health, and/or period health, go to our Directory page.

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