Any Runners or Aspiring Runners Out There?
Hi All,
I am seeking any and all vegan/vegetarian athletes out there who are ready to pound some pavement to raise awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet!
A little crew of veggie distance runners has been brainstorming about how we could combine our love of running with our love of animals and a compassionate lifestyle. We think we’ve figured out a way, and we are hoping to recruit more to join us! We are launching a national network of runners called The Mighty Vegans, and we will be running the Las Vegas Marathon on December 6, 2009, using it as an opportunity to raise awareness of veganism (and vegetarianism---vegetarians are welcome too!). We will all train on our own and then descend en masse on to the Strip to strut our stuff decked out in message gear and spread the word! What better way to dispel the myths that a vegan diet is unhealthy and that a vegan lifestyle is one of deprivation, than to prove that you can indeed, complete a full 26.2 mile marathon powered by plants and toughened up by tofu?!
Believe me, I am no elite athlete. I have two marathons under my belt but am definitely not about to set any records! (Honestly, I’m pretty slow!) I completely understand that running a marathon seems totally insane…and in some ways it is! But if you choose and stick to the right training program, use a slow pace and take lots of nice easy walk breaks, you would be surprised at what you can do! And the goal here is to finish! I’m also very certain there are many more experienced marathoners out there in the veggie universe, so why not log those miles with the goal of joining us for the Las Vegas Marathon on 2009?
The success of The Mighty Vegans will really depend on how many people we can get to join. The goal is to make an impact, and if there are enough of us peppered throughout the course running along in our message gear, there is no way any fellow runners or spectators could miss us. Please email us at eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%74%68%65%6d%69%67%68%74%79%76%65%67%61%6e%73%40%67%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%74%68%65%6d%69%67%68%74%79%76%65%67%61%6e%73%40%67%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')) if you are interested in joining us in Las Vegas in December. If you’ve ever had the slightest teeniest inkling that running a marathon is something you’d like to cross off your list, this is the time to do it!!!
Cheers,
Liz
i think this is awesome. i doubt i could get to vegas in december, though :(
thats awesome! i'm just starting to run, i can only run for about 5 minutes and then i'm done. but i think capture on here runs 3-5 mils on a somewhat daily basis!!
When I started training for my first marathon, I was 29 and hadn't run since high school track! You've got time to train if you start in the next month! I use the Galloway Method, which is a run/walk. I run for 3 minutes, then walk for one minute. It's the only way I can finish, but I do make it to the finish line evenutally! Consider joining us in Vegas!
thats awesome! i'm just starting to run, i can only run for about 5 minutes and then i'm done. but i think capture on here runs 3-5 mils on a somewhat daily basis!!
Yep! I'm running 5+ miles a day, but I'm just starting 1/2 marathon training--not anywhere close to being marathon shape for a year or two at least! Plus--I'll just be comeing hope from a 3 month unpaid internship in december...definitely will not have $$ to travel out to Vegas.
I love the idea though! I wish you super good luck!!
I use to run alot before I started smoking again. my lungs don't like it when i run now. :( I should quit smoking.
This is a fantastic idea. I don't think I could swing a vegas trip right now to join you. If you want more publicity & more team members, you might want to look into doing some of the more well known marathons, like chicago, new york, philly & boston. If your team raises money for a non profit charity like a humane society or something, you may be able to get more runners on your team through those marathon's fundraising programs.
There are some vegan athletes out there that are a little more high profile already that you might want to contact to join your team or maybe just network with. There is Scott Jurek, an ultrmarathoner, Brendan Brazier, a triathlete, and I think I remember Bart Yasso, a runner's world editor saying in his book or something that he is vegetarian.
Some good websites too:
http://www.veganfitness.net/
http://sequelnaturals.com/en/vega/team-vega/ambassadors/meet-us
http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/
Good Luck! Please post again if you come up with team shirts or hats that anyone can buy.
I'm running the Vegas Half on Dec. 6th. I guess I should really say I'm jogging it because I am just ridiculously slow. I'm nowhere near ready for a full marathon--in fact, I'm a little worried that I won't be ready for the half.
Oh I was planning on running Vegas! When is the registration deadline?
I would love to do this if they have one next year?
I am planning to start training for the Hartford 1/2 marathon for breast cancer... I am no where near ready to even run the 1/2!
If they did something in the pacific northwest I would love to join in. I am just starting running this month. I am hoping to be in shape for the Oregon Hood To Coast breast cancer relay run in August.
Hi Foofie81 and Newvegmama,
Jessica and I (organizers of The Mighty Vegans) didn't have the best of luck recruiting runners for Vegas :( However we are still planning on running the marathon ourselves and will be sporting our Mighty Vegans shirts! Would you be interested in meeting up and wearing the message gear? We are thinking of having iron-on decals printed and then people could just put them onto a white running shirt/tank.
Our group for Vegas may be small, but if you'd like to join, it would be a great start to promoting veganism at races. We may try to organize a bigger group for a California race next year (LA? SF?) as well.
Let me know if you are interested, it would be great to have your involvement!
Cheers,
Liz
I just started running about 3 months ago so I don't think I'll be anywhere near marathon or half marathon anytime soon. I can only do 2 miles so far. But, I'd love to join when I'm ready :) Also, can anyone tell me whats good for shin splints? I just got one on my last 3 runs and it has been bothering me even on my off days. It's onlky on one side though.
Hi Larisuena,
I've had shin splints before---not fun! I think the best things are ice and rest. You might want to take it easy for a week or so, which I know is hard to do when you are in a running groove! Maybe someone else will have more knowledge on how to get rid of them quickly!
Good luck!
Liz
To treat shinsplints, rest & ice is right, along with streching your calves. But the main thing is to figure out why you got them. Either you increased your mileage too much and/or are not wearing proper shoes. Being a new runner, you could have done both. At the eand of a week, add up how many miles you ran the whole week. Don't increase this total mileage by more than 10% next week.
For shoes, go to a specialty running store where they have sales people to watch to run & determine if you overpronate, or have any other issue. They will then be able to recommend some shoes with the correct amount of support for you.
Also, avoid wearing high heels at least until the shinsplints go away!
Thanks. I did get fitted for shoes. I also wear 6inch heels about 2 times a week. I also increased my mileage to train for a 5k so I think I'll take it easy :) Oh and I'm an underpronator. Sometimes it's hard for me to run because I run on the sides of my feet but, If I really pay attention when I'm running I correct it. I haven't tried icing though.
Hi
I'm a 51-year-old vegan and run four days a week. I ran the LA Marathon 20 years ago, and plan to run it again in March 2010. I would love to meet other vegans who plan to do so.
Look forward to hearing from all of you.
Peace
Cecilia
Wow Smitty!! It's people like you who inspire me to train harder!!
Hi Cecila,
There's a group of us vegan runners who are planning on meeting up for the LA Marathon sporting our Mighty Vegan running gear. It would be great if we could meet up! Can you send me an email at eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6c%6d%7a%65%69%67%6c%65%72%40%79%61%68%6f%6f%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%6c%6d%7a%65%69%67%6c%65%72%40%79%61%68%6f%6f%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')) and let me know how to keep in touch with you?
Cheers!
Liz
Oh my goodness! I love this! Are there any plans to run, say, a half marathon in either the Houston or Dallas areas? I can now run 8 miles!
I'm thinking of taking up running. Not sure if I'll like it, so I'm hesitant to spend lots on vegan running shoes only to find out I hate it. :-( But I don't want to injure myself using cheap shoes, thereby making me hate running! Advice, please!