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Vegan Triathlete -
no age barrier
by Ruth Heidrich - from IVU News
Oct
2000
The Vegetarian Athlete! Ah, these two words sum up a healthy life-style.
Actually, I would like to take it two steps further: Vegan Triathlete!
As I always like to say, "If it ain't vegan, it ain't vegetarian,"
because this allows for no animal food whatsoever. We get all the nutrients
we need from plant foods with none of the saturated fat, cholesterol,
pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, etc., from animal foods. This also
allows us to get away from the exploitation and the inhumane treatment
of animals.
Then the "triathlete" part: I would like to see people develop
at least three sports which they love (proficiency is NOT a requirement).
In the case of triathlons, between the running, swimming, and biking,
we have total body exercise, because all three sports stress the upper
and lower body to a greater or lesser extent, are excellent in terms of
cardiovascular and pulmonary development, bone and muscle strengthener,
and, in my opinion, are fun. Exercise is a well-known mood enhancer as
well and is frequently prescribed as an antidote for depression.
This brings up the motivational aspect of being a Vegetarian/Vegan Athlete/Triathlete:
the best way to get yourself to exercise is to make it fun, and most people
remember that when they were a kid, they loved games and competition.
I've seen people go to extraordinary lengths (myself included) to put
on that extra burst of speed at the end of a race to beat a friend, or
go that extra mile to finish a 10K or a marathon. The rewards are many.
Besides those mentioned above, most races give its entrants a t-shirt,
refreshments at the finish, and, in many cases, some hardware in the form
of a trophy. And, this is one case where being older is better because
the field narrows as one ages. I've told countless people in their 70's,
80's and even beyond, that all they have to do is enter and cross the
finish line and they'll win. That's because they'll usually be the only
one in their age group. Then, too, the last person crossing the finish
line gets the most applause.
So, as I said, there are lots of benefits to exercise. And if you're putting
the proper fuel, i.e., whole plant foods in your engine, and if you do
the training, you're going to be healthier, happier, and a winner in your
"Race For Life."
Dr. Heidrich has a Ph.D. in Health Management with majors in Nutriuion
and Exercise Phisiology. She is a breast cancer survivor and has completed
the Ironman Triathlon six times, run 67 marathons, accumulated inure than
700 first place trophies, and set numerous fitness records including being
named "One of the Ten Fittest Wonien in North America" by Living
Fit Magazine. She is also the author of "A Race For Life" and
'The Race For Life Cookbook."
To contact Ruth with questions or for articles:
Ruth E. Heidrich, Ph.D. 1415 Victoria St. #1106, Honolulu, HI 96822
Ask Dr. Ruth: vegsource.com
http://www.ironlady.com
ruthheidrich@Juno com
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