This year, PETA staffer Tim is going the extra mile for animals – literally! He’ll be running in the London Marathon this month to raise money for PETA. Support him here.
More and more vegan athletes are showing how easy it is to excel on a plant-based diet. We asked Tim for his top tips for combining rigorous training with a compassionate lifestyle. They include the following:
- “When it comes to food, the main thing is to eat a healthy, balanced diet filled with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.”
- “About two hours before a run, I like to fuel up with an energising breakfast of soya yoghurt topped with banana and mixed seeds.”
- “The night before a big run, I load up on carbs with a hearty meal of rice, potatoes or pasta. This satisfying mushroom risotto is one of my favourite pre-run dinners.”
- “It may sound obvious, but I always steer clear of coffee and alcohol when I’m gearing up for a race.”
- “To help build muscle, around once a week, I grab a soya- or hemp-based protein shake from a health-food shop such as Holland & Barrett.”
- “You don’t have to go out of your way to find vegan running shoes and other running gear – almost everything on sale is free from animal products, as synthetic materials are much better for letting your body sweat and helping to regulate your temperature.”
- “The best way to avoid injuries is to listen to your body. If you start to feel pain, your body is trying to tell you something. Take the time to figure out what that is. I find yoga a valuable tool for tuning in to yourself and correcting any problems or imbalances in your gait.”
- “Meeting up with other vegan runners is a lovely way to share your experiences and can really help with motivation.”
- “Take inspiration from some of the pros – I’m massively inspired by vegan ultra-marathon runners like Brendan Brazier, Fiona Oakes and Rich Roll.”
- “Stay focused. The next few weeks will be tough as I ramp up my training in preparation for the big race, but it will all be worth it when I cross the finish line on 26 April, knowing that my hard work – together with the support of caring PETA donors – will make a tremendous difference to animals in need.”
We’ll certainly be cheering Tim on as he crosses the finish line! You can support his race here.
Share your vegan running tips by leaving a comment below. And for more tips on healthy vegan living, order our free vegan starter kit.
The post How to Run a Marathon on a Vegan Diet appeared first on PETA UK.