Last Tuesday, on the eve of National Running Day (I’ll admit
this wasn’t marked on my calendar) Marc and I went to an event for the launch
of Scott Jurek’s book Eat and Run.
There was a five-mile run before the lecture that we opted out of. Many people
did not and as we took our seats in the Society for Ethical Culture, I noted
both the lack of air conditioning and the smell of runners. Somehow when you
run the smell doesn’t bother you as much. I apologize to all the people I’ve
shared subway cars with after races; I totally get it.
My main motivation in attending this talk was the “eating”
portion of this book. Scott Jurek is an ultrmarathon champion and also vegan.
Marc on the other hand loves hearing about any sports-related challenge. He
enjoys Real Sports in HBO, watching the Kona Ironman and basically anything
ESPN has to offer. The moderator of the talk was Christopher McDougall, the
author of Born to Run. It was
difficult to hear (or see) much that went on but I took note when Jurek
spoke of running “for the love of it without the promise of reward.” For
example, we were told a group of those attending ran 32 miles around the
perimeter of Manhattan, the morning of the event, for fun. I left intrigued with a copy of Eat and Run.
What the lecture lacked the book makes up for. This isn’t just a book about a guy who runs
long distances; it’s a great story. Jurek grew up with a mother with MS and a demanding,
unsympathetic father. Sports were in many ways an escape and you see the roots
of his mental toughness. Jurek describes the key to his success “I had a talent for gaining speed when others
gave ground, I realized that no matter how much something hurt, I could gut it
out.” The book is filled with stories, advice and great quotes:
Always do what you are
afraid to do.
Bernard Shaw
Bernard Shaw
The best dietary advice I found was Jurek’s thoughts on
adopting a plant-based diet. “To my
delight (and, I admit, surprise), subtracting some things from my diet actually
allowed me to expand the number of foods I ate and to discover incredible and
delicious new foods.” Whether gluten
free, vegan or raw, people fixate on living without certain things when the key
is you can make food interesting from whatever your given choices.
Jurek’s most common pre-race food is almond butter on
sprouted bread. I’m happy to say many Foodtrainers’ athletes also favor this
(some choosing gluten free bread). Jurek
aims for 300 calories an hour during races but not just calories, good calories
(I wish Runner’s World would take note). And there’s no mention of pasta
parties and bagels. Jurek eats bean burritos, as I mentioned sprouted bread,
quinoa and brown rice.
Jurek started out very much a carnivore but notes
The better I ate, the better I felt. Since going vegan, I
had lost the layer of fat-the layer that came with eating the cookies and cakes
and Twinkies and cheese pizza that so many omnivores and even vegetarians gulp
down.
He mentions recovering better from workouts, increased
energy and concentration improved. I think this is a testament not only to
veganism but the power of nutrition for performance in sports and life.
I love the sound of this smoothie:
Green Power Drink
(2, 20-ounce servings)
2 bananas
1 cup frozen mango or pineapple chunks
4 cups water
2 teaspoons spirulina powder
1 teaspoon miso
Blend and drink 20-30 ounces 15-45 minutes before a run.
* I would suggest can also drink post run perhaps with vegan
protein
Spirulina is an algae said to have been carried into battle
by Aztec warriors, also a performance enhancer for long-distance runners,
weight loss aid and immune booster. I like the pineapple here, contains a
pain-relieving enzyme bromelin. The miso is interesting presumably used for its
sodium content.
The only soy I recommend is fermented, as it’s generally
easier to digest. Jurek points out something I didn’t know, that miso, tempeh
and sprouted tofu also have less phytoestrogen content than other soy. These
plant estrogens can function like estrogen. In terms of new ingredients espoused in the book, I’m looking
forward to experimenting with adzuki beans and epazote.
I love to run and eat well and Jurek articulates the joy
that can come from each of these pursuits.
More than anything though, I was left with realizing that the greatest
tool we all possess isn’t physical strength or a Vitamix (and you know I love
my Vitamix). It’s our inner dialogue and
knowing that you can get a second, third or fourth “wind” if you’re willing to
gut it out.
We focus on something
external to motivate us, but we need to remember that it’s the process of
reaching for that prize, not the prize itself-that can bring us peace and joy.
Do you run? Have you ever contemplated an ultramarathon? Do you eat soy? What is it that you are afraid to do?
Do you run? Have you ever contemplated an ultramarathon? Do you eat soy? What is it that you are afraid to do?
