I hate running. No, I mean I really hate running. I am not one of those humble people who may actually run a marathon here and there and claim to be a mediocre runner. I am the person who, even though in pretty okay shape, insists I have a life threatening cramp about 20 minutes into a light jog. Well, pushing 40, I am wanting to change all of that. At heart I am a lift weights for fast easy muscle and yoga to not slit my wrists kind of girl, but I have always looked at runners longingly. Wondering what it must be like to be in some zenned out meditative state for miles on end. How do they just not die of complete boredom, I mean, they aren't actually going anywhere. And the people who wake up and basically run in the dark before the rest of the world is even hitting their snooze buttons repeatedly? What is it in their DNA? And more importantly, how can I become one of "those" people??
Well, a couple of events happened. Last summer I saw Christopher McDougall on "The Daily Show" talking about his book, "Born to Run"
. He was talking about how running injuries had affected him, about these crazy ultra marathon runners, and about the incredibly intriguing "Tarahumara" in Mexico. The Tarahumara live in an incredibly remote area that is difficult to access. Although their peaceful tranquility is surrounded by some dangerous drug trafiking and in recent years they have lost some lives due to their proximity to the drug underworld. This "tribe" just seemed to be "born to run". They would run hundreds of miles and survive on rice, beans, chia seed and pinole
. Oh, and they would run barefoot or in these homemade sandals that were basically the same as being barefoot. Well, I just just discovered chia
seeds that summer as well. I was eating chia seed pudding daily.Of course, I ordered the book the next day. It turned out to be an incredibly interesting read, even for a non-runner like myself, and I savoured every page. Being thrilled that they talked about Scott Jurek and Ruth Heidrich, both vegan runners, I was just "flirting" with the idea that running had the potential to not be completely tormenting. Maybe there was a thread of joy somewhere.....just maybe. Ruth Heidrich is a marathon runner that is over seventy, and still running amazing races. This gal beat breast cancer by embracing a vegan diet (she doesn't eat vegan junk food either :) and she has been spreading the "vegan gospel" and been an amazing running goddess ever since.
Then, Kealy came along. A Gateway Pet Guardians dog that was temporarily being crated much of the day and needed some exercise. I needed a reason to exercise as it's pretty easy for me to sit on my a**, drink mate all day, and peruse raw food uncook "cook" books. Kealy, I, my new Vibrams
, and Krishna Das (via ipod) started a running routine and she has truly taught me the bliss of running. She is at another foster home now (still needs a FOREVER home) and I miss my partner.Below is a clip from Gateway Pet Guardian's documentary, which you can buy at Gateway Pet Guardians Website. They also have awesome 2011 calendars.
Are there any other vegan runners out there? Barefoot and Vegan? Do you run with your dog?
