Running Rat Goes Vegan

I simply felt it was time to change something. I wanted to vegan for a very long time already. But I always thought it must be awfully difficult and I would never make it to swear off cheese, which was my only vice (apart form the chocolate of course).  
And after reading a lot about veganism and its benefits recently I decided, I want to try it for 30 days. A 30-day trial is to circumvent oneself. You tell yourself that it will only be 30 days and if you don't like it you can always go back to your former life style. This way it is very easy to adopt new habits because it is not like 'oh my, now I'll never be able to eat cheese/smoke a cigarette/drink alcohol ... again!'
I was 10-15 days in the trial when I was sure I want to stay vegan. The benefits about which I read were:
-  you have a lot more energy,
- you feel alert, you lose weight (maybe), 
- you have more endurance and 
- need less sleep. 


As I plan to run the first ultra marathon in August 2011 and still have to pass some exams before I finally am really a teacher I thought this might be something for me.
Unfortunately I didn't lose any weight (this was so clear), but I do have more energy. And today I had a revelation: after not running for quite some time (you know: lots of work etc.) I ran 3 hours without any physical tiredness or pain just like that.
And it was really easy: I substituted cheese with tofu, vegan spreads and fruit mash; yoghurt with soy yoghurt, cappuccino with caro + rice milk. The only problem I had was that I had to re-read all the lists of ingredients on products I usually buy to be sure that they don't contain any dairy. I already was kind of vegetarian before I went vegan. Though I was never really strict about this because I never liked meat or sausage. I suppose this is also the reason why I didn't lose weight. I didn't change very much.
I also still eat my chocolate and other sweets like chocolate, banana chips or self-made cookies. Boyfriend#1 calls me a pudding vegan sometimes. ;)


Unfortunately the part about less sleeping didn't occur with me but after all I usually get up before 5 am at the moment so it should be quite natural to be tired by 8/9 pm.
By the by: I also gave up coffee. And I really do feel wonderful. 
The only thing I still miss is SUMMER!!


Here also the German links for those who care:

• Warum vegan?  
• Wie man Kaffee aufgibt

Are we born to run?

The answer is simple: Yes, we are! Incredible TED talk by Christopher McDougall, the author od Born to Run. It summarizes the book perfectly. 
For all people who rather watch short films than read extensive books. 
Though I'd still recommend the book. It's also incredibly entertaining. ;)

A new running partner

He is cute, he is black and he is funny. The perfect combination. Who I am talking about, you'll ask. It is my new running partner and best friend. He unfortunately never talks but runs very bravely every track with me.
Of course, I wouldn't take him for marathon training as he is not prepared, yet. But I'll train him. He is also perfect because he is almost never tired, very athletic and happy.
I'm talking about my dog. Who can imagine a better running partner?

First Marathon in Vibrams

Oh my, I wasn't here for a loooong time. But I'm still here and I am still the running rat. 

I have tested Vibram five fingers now for over six month and I must confess: they are gorgeous!
I know so many people who have big problems with their knees especially on long runs. Since I'm running in Vibrams I hadn't had this problem any more. I even ran my first marathon wearing Vibrams just one week ago.


Before I even got to the start I got some bewildered looks. Apparently, nobody in the small town of Magdeburg has ever heard of Vibrams. At the start the first people asked about the shoes. 'Is that how you do this in these times?', an about fourty-year-old lady asked me.
Another older man caught me on the track an wanted to know if running in these shoes was ok. Well, that was at about 38km. He could have guessed that everything was alright as I managed quite a bit of the way and still looked happier as some of the other runners .
Some young track attendants even knew the name of the shoes. Seems as if they get through slowly.


Still, there occured some minor difficulties. As Vibrams feel almost as if you'd run barefoot and the track had many of stony, chipsy paths my feet hurt quite a bit after only half of the way. But I guess that was just the same with all the other runners. 
However, as a Vibram runner you tend to chose your tracks on the basis of the quality of the ground. I'm sure as I kepp to running barefoot I will get tougher as my feet will adapt. 
During the marathon, however, I tended to run beneath the track from time to time to give my feet a break. All these asphalt streets were quite uncomfortable. 
Afterwards I realized running on the grass wasn't the best idea after all as I got a bit lazy concerning the running style.
I noticed a some pain in my lumbar region after the run which hints on a wrong style of running.


Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the result (which I'll keep to myself as it is not even close to four hours). It was a very windy day and I am happy that I ran in Vibrams.

Fit to Run!

I made it!

The marathon was pure torture though which was mostly due to the weather. Usually, you would have expected nice spring weather. Warm, but not hot and a little rain maybe. Even low temperatures would have been okay.

But what did we got: 25° in shade, lots of sun and trees with spring leaves that gave almost no shade. With the low temperatures during the spring and lots of rain most of the non-pro runners like me were not prepaired for a day like this. Moreover, I caught a huge sunburn. Bad, bad preparation!

The day after: cloudy, cool, perfect marathon weather. Hmpf.

Never mind. I got through though I must confess that the time made me weep. 4:40. Embarrasing. But never mind again. I will improve considerably until the end of the season. I promise!

Fit to Run?

I'd better be! Marathon weekend just coming up. And what about my actual shape? I am sitting. Daily. Always. Since almost three months now. I will appreciate the time when - finally - there is not pile of eight or nine books on my table which actually should have been read until yesterday.

I want to run. Sincerely. But I simply cannot spare the time. Still,  I am sure to run the marathon. Why you will ask, I suppose. Because I am sure, I am capable and I made an affirmation. 
I am full of sorrow though: Maybe I won't be able to move afterwards for a week and maybe I will be full of remorse. How will I work then? On the other hand I cannot not make it. It would mean to having to dissapoint myself and to actually admitt that the running-group-money was entirely wasted. Moreover, it would be devastating to meet running group people after the run who made it and to be forced admitt that I didn't make it.
Therfore: Fingers crossed on Sunday, please. My affirmation will (hopefully) do the rest.

The Perfect Job!

Running Rat got the perfect job now!

I can and actually have to train endurance as much as pace while working. Unbelieveable? Then you haven't worked as a waitress yet. Especially during Easter time it is amazing what people can eat and drink in almost no time. And this time I am really not talking about myself!

Anyway: it is a training for your whole body. You have to move fast, have to carry much and moreover, have no time to eat or drink at all. It is hot at my work place, too. This way, you not only feel like in a sauna all the time you're actually also perfectly prepared for the Marathon les Sables.

But to be at least a little bit serious: I appreciate this job very much. It helps me get my ideal marathon weight quickly (lost two pounds aready). And after over eight hours of rushing to and fro I am sure to be marathon fit!