The Game had begun a few hours after our 5 sure candidates had signed their contracts and swore they would take care of 3 newborn human babies.

One of them was entrusted to Asaël Rienick and Avatan Nihili, another one to Whitswimm and Aza Wahk, and the Third one, to single “parent” : Tige Ald.

Asaël Rienick, the Tightrope sleepwalker and Avatan Nihili the teenager.

Whiteswimm the Ballerina and Aza Wakh the marathonian girl.

 Tige Ald the Contorsionnist.

Then the clauses and terms were clearly established: Just 2 Candidates and a baby will get an award at the end of the competition.

In fact this challenge consisted in successive tests of resistance as long walks, starvation, test of courage and ability to fast for months and potentiality to huddle tightly in order to endure extremely harsh conditions of abuse, freezing temperatures, hostile attitude of potential meet people, depression, despair, self-destruction, suicide drive…..

For the first time since the beginning of the competition, Akan came in the meeting room of Rehab Center and told to the assembly all about the rules.

All candidates had to go to main gym hall, and prepare to run for 26,2 miles on tread mill running.

(There is no doubt that challenging an anorexic body to run 26.2miles, takes more than a huge amount of commitment, compromises and sacrifices.)

But were our frail candidates able to take on this challenge?

They would be served all the energetic and tasty breakfast they would need before, whether they wanted or not, they would have to be ready after meal for the Marathon on Tread mill running.

Asaël Rienick, Aza Wakh, and Tige Ald would have to carry their precious treasure: the baby, 8 days old, coming from Orphanage, found on the street, lost and unwanted little creature.

Then after this “easy” run, Asaël Rienick would entrusted her baby to Avatan Nihili; Aza Wakh would do the same to Whiteswimm and Tige Ald would have to keep the baby for another round.

I know it was completely unfair to give to one candidate a double target to reach, but life is like that, cruel and unjust, pitiless as well.

As you know certainly, anorexic people don’t like eating normal meal, absorbing usual need of calories to win and to breathe, either to survive.

Because anorexic people find their strength in a secret part of their self: their embodied soul.

- So, as expected, nobody touched the buffet before the first test of resistance.

Unlike their own starvation, our candidates had been immediately involved in their new babysitter role, and never babies received such nice care and attention.

- You need to know that anorexic mothers, (in despite their past of abused children and deprived of love during their childhood) are excellent mothers, because “L’amour c’est donner ce que l’on a pas reçu”.

- Yes Our candidates presented all signs to be “good-enough Mothers “. (as described by Donald Winnicot)

{“The good-enough mother…starts off with an almost complete adaptation to her infant’s needs, and as time proceeds she adapts less and less completely, gradually, according to the infant’s growing ability to deal with her failure…” (from “Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena,” 1951)}

Each baby had been a priority, (every pair of candidates and solo Tige Ald had been excellent nurses, with love, attention and lot of cuddles accorded to the demanding child they had to take care about.

- Anorexic people have always reserve of energy in mind, and some are able to struggle for a marathon, that means 3-4 hours of intensive effort.

But after, they’re more than empty and have to admit to be feed even a little bit.

Hypoglycemia represents one of biggest threat on Marathon and collapsing can happen suddenly when blood sugar below 70mg/dL. Blood sugars at this level can harm you badly.

“Untreated, hypoglycemia from too much insulin can lead to loss of consciousness and coma.

Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that may result in seizures and permanent damage to the nervous system if not treated.

Severe hypoglycemia that results in unconsciousness is also called insulin shock.”

In despite all of these common ideas of good tips for good runner, our three anorexic young women were able to finish their marathon in less than 3 hours, with baby on the back, sleeping tight and having sweet dreams, feeling secure with “Running Mummy”.

Alice Odilon. 29/07/2011. All rights reserved.

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