I am Tan Ting (Codoon ID:Brother Ting) Last month, I completed a challenge—30 days of vegetarian running. Today, I will share why I decided to become a vegetarian, how I managed to run 10 kilometers every day without eating meat for 30 days, and the detailed process. I will also share some tips for those who want to try vegetarianism, hoping to lead more people to discover the beauty of a vegetarian diet~    

"We want to show the world through marathon running that a raw food diet can not only defeat cancer but also make you healthier and stronger!"    

Why did I challenge myself to vegetarian running?    

It all started with the Janet couple; they inspired me.    

Because I happened to attend one of their sharing sessions, someone in the audience asked them a question: "You defeated cancer with a raw food diet, and at your age, you should be enjoying your family life. Why do you still run marathons, and one every day at that?"    

Janet's answer at that time left a lasting impression on me: "We want to show the world through marathon running that a raw food diet can not only defeat cancer but also make you healthier and stronger!"    

So, my mind might have conceived the idea at that moment: Isn't it said that vegetarianism is healthier? Then I'll run marathons on a vegetarian diet. Saying it means doing it, and this might be one of the most important reasons why I challenged myself to 30 days of vegetarian running.     

     Photo with the Janet couple     

Additionally, I wanted to achieve a deeper sense of tranquility through continuous pure running and enjoy the present moment. I believe that the concept of 'body, mind, and spirit' is very important in this restless era. We cannot deceive ourselves and live a lifetime in self-deception. Some books mention 'residing in the space between breaths' and 'entering the present moment,' which greatly attract me.    

Of course, believing everything in books is as bad as not reading at all, so I maintain a skeptical attitude towards knowledge,which is why I wanted to personally verify the power of vegetarianism, and thus began the challenge.    

"Why do you want to become a vegetarian? Do you have a strong and firm reason in your heart?"    

Vegetarian nutritionist Julieanna Hever pointed out, "When people challenge conventional eating habits, conflicts with family and friends are inevitable. Family members may try to persuade you earnestly, and you might lose some opportunities to dine with friends. This is when your psychological resilience is tested. Why do you want to become a vegetarian? Do you have a strong and firm reason in your heart? If not, you might give up because of a few words from those around you."    

What made me decide to become a lifelong vegetarian was a documentary: 'Earthlings.'    

It was a Saturday morning. I had just gotten up and was sitting on the balcony playing with WeChat when I saw an article about 'Earthlings' shared in a group. I was deeply moved by the content and decided to watch the documentary. After watching it, I felt very heavy-hearted. The documentary had only one theme—cruelty, the cruelty of desire. The film showed me that the Earth has become a massive slaughterhouse, and humanity has fallen to a state of extreme cruelty and ignorance without realizing it. For animals, the Earth is like hell.    

I think if it weren't for that unintentional click on that Saturday morning, it might have taken me many years to truly watch this documentary. And this 'many years,' I really don't know how many years it would be.     

Here, I also strongly recommend the book that started my 'more vegetables, less meat' journey: 'Born to Run.'     

I read this book twice. It tells the story of an American running enthusiast who goes to Mexico's Copper Canyon to seek out the strongest long-distance running tribe in history, the Tarahumara. The most influential point for me was that the Tarahumara mainly eat corn and are mostly vegetarians. Perhaps out of admiration for the strong, I started to deliberately reduce meat consumption and increase my intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts from that time.     

Nothing happens overnight; there is always a process. After becoming a vegetarian, I had higher demands for 'eating,' but I viewed meals more lightly. Eventually, I started to gradually upgrade to cooking for myself:    

"Vegetarian running allows the body and mind to set off with zero burden, reaching harmony and tranquility."     

30 days of vegetarian running—this was a tough challenge. To cope with various situations over the 30 days, I prepared in advance:    

A set of rain gear (which I only used once; running in the rain is actually quite refreshing!)    

Two sets of quick-dry compression shirts, compression pants, and underwear    

A running windbreaker   

Six pairs of quick-dry running socks (plus the seven pairs I already had, making a total of thirteen pairs)   

A sweat towel (for wiping my back and stomach after running to avoid catching a cold)    

A quick-dry hat (keeping the head warm is also very important)    

A thermos (a standard for middle-aged men)    

A trail running backpack (to carry the above items)     

I believe that the more thoroughly you prepare, the easier the challenge will be. However, by the tenth day, I still felt overwhelmed. That day was the lowest point in my entire 30-day journey. I won't say much; just look at my moments from that day:    

To cope with this situation, I changed my strategy. After getting up in the morning, I ate a banana before running. I found that this change was very effective, and I didn't experience any more weakness after that.    

The original plan was to sleep at 10 PM and get up at 7 AM, ensuring nine hours of sleep every day. In practice, it's hard for young people to be that punctual! But because I was determined to complete the challenge, I generally maintained a dynamic balance around this time frame.    

Getting up early allows you to see more beautiful scenery:    

    Beautiful morning scenery at Chengdu Gui Xi Ecological Park     

"When discipline comes from the deepest part of your conscience, it is not a form of enslavement or restriction but freedom."    

This quote is from a vegetarian master in my moments. When people around me persuade me to eat meat, or when I see eggs and milk in the ingredient list while buying bread at the supermarket, I often recall this quote. It helps me understand what I am doing, and this is very important. I am very grateful to have encountered this quote!    

After becoming a vegetarian, I gained a treasure called 'No.' By overcoming desires bit by bit, I found this treasure. I am also very grateful to myself for successfully completing the 30-day vegetarian running challenge, which made me feel truly free.    

     30-day vegetarian running challenge completed

My little tips on vegetarianism:    

If you want to try vegetarianism or eat more vegetables and less meat, you must take it step by step, giving yourself a process and a ladder, and appropriately encouraging yourself. This is very important.    

The mindset of 'taking it step by step' can be applied to work, life, and even specific tasks, benefiting you for a lifetime and helping you develop stable habits. In terms of internet thinking, it's about constantly trial and error and rapid iteration.    

Also, read books and follow a few vegetarian public accounts. Learning from others' shared experiences can save you a lot of detours. I recommend a few books: 'Born to Run,' 'The Vegetarian Runner's Journey,' 'Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health.' Books can help you quickly find your footing and strengthen your confidence.    

Finally, you must adjust according to your physical condition to ensure your health so that you can take on more challenges!