In the eyes of most people, marathon race, as long as 26.2 miles, is the longest among all kinds of long-distance races. As a vegetarian and ultrarunning player, I definitely know this is wrong. In reality, a vegetarian makes me a better player.
In the eyes of most people,
marathon race, as long as 26.2 miles, is the longest among all kinds of long-distance races. Actually, ultrarunning is famous for its distance as far as 50 kilometres, 50 miles and 100 kilometres. In this athletics, 100-mile is the longest distance. Some people think vegetarians could never become real athletes to take part in sports as cruel as long-distance race. As a vegetarian and ultrarunning player, I definitely know this is wrong. In reality, a vegetarian makes me a better player.
I had been tried many kinds of exercise plans to add distance so as to participate in Marathon race since I joined in cross-country race during my college time, but I failed every time. In 1996, things have a turning point that my uncle, a former Navy and nearly three decades of vegetarian, inspired me to become a vegetarian. Six months later I completed my first marathon.
Usually I'm just a general vegetarian, but when the training is so intense, I am a strict vegetarian. Complex carbohydrates exit in fruits, vegetables, grain, spaghetti and many other foods, and these foods are what vegetarians absorb in abundance. Fat is a good source of energy, however, if together with protein (i.e. mixed in meat), the average Americans' intake of fat is much more than the basic needs. And vegetarian diet could help you control the amount of fat that you absorb in balance.
As the training time is usually 3 to 12 hours in ultrarunning race or extended training, I sometimes eat energy bars which are effective to quickly replenish my energy. However, I don't advocate it as part of our daily food. Although most energy bars are vegetarian, we still should check the label to determine if they are real. I strongly recommend you to use energy bars in training before race. Meanwhile, what the most important thing is to keep the body hydrated.
You can improve your health, physical strength, energy from being a vegetarian or vegan. In addition, I believe that physical and mental accomplishment needed in adhering to a vegetarian lifestyle is very similar to what is needed in long-distance training.
It is wise to conduct a physical examination before adopting any new health plan. According to your different health and exercise background, you can try walking and running by the method of combining. Although it takes extra time, it can improve the effect of training step by step and prevent injuries. As running is becoming more and more popular, there are often products boasted of quick effect and singular function surrounding runners. A good attitude and diet can make you run the farthest and vegetarianism is a great benefit for both.
I find that being a vegetarian or a professional athlete does not need much time or energy, which is opposite to many people's thought.
Although I'm just an ordinary person, extreme sports makes me believe that vegetarian lifestyle allow common people accomplish extraordinary things. In the condition that you keep good food habits and right lifestyle, I think you certainly will be a better athletic and enjoy happy performance.
