Maybe you’re considering following a vegan diet, but don’t see how you’ll get there. Maybe you also dreamed of running a marathon, but gave it up as impossible?

If so, reflect on William Arthur Ward’s expression:

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.”

Five years ago, I hadn’t started a vegan diet, nor had I run more than an occasional 1-2 miles on the treadmill (staring at the wall in the gym felt like a death sentence). Growing up, he had been a miserable athlete, skipping all PE classes from ninth grade onward to avoid humiliation.

Just as a plant-based diet often begins with small steps, such as avoiding meat one meal a day (or one day a week) or eliminating just one type of meat from your diet, until you’ve hit the ground running, it’s totally natural. that you think you’re not capable of getting in shape to run a marathon.

Only after you’ve run around the block or survived 5 minutes on the dreaded treadmill do you begin to recognize your true potential. After settling into a training routine, she gets a few 5Ks and 10Ks under her belt and begins to realize that a half marathon is within her grasp.

I don’t mean to underestimate the preparation and commitment you need to run a marathon. But while you shouldn’t expect to get there overnight, it’s not as difficult as you might think. There are unlimited resources available to develop your marathon training plan, and first-time runners should generally wait 4-6 months, depending on their condition.

It’s okay if it takes you several months or years to build up the confidence to sign up for a marathon, as long as you keep moving in a positive direction. Whether preparing for a marathon or starting a plant-based diet, you should expect occasional hiccups and doubts along the way. The key is not to be dissuaded from reaching your goal.

Although I ran the Tokyo marathon, the first one, in March 2009, after a year and a half, I began to doubt if I could run another marathon and if I could make it to Honolulu, due to time, finances, as well as minor injuries that They include knee pain and Achilles tendon pain. There were also last-minute surprises, like discovering that I had forgotten to pack my 5-toe socks just before I went to sleep on the eve of the marathon.

Once you decide to run a marathon, you need to decide on your specific training goals. Avoiding injuries, rather than running fast, was my first priority during training last year. In addition to running (cardio), I have been doing core exercises and yoga for strength, balance, and flexibility. Although I was sucking wind at the end, I had finished the Honolulu Marathon, in a time that even surprised me.

After finishing a marathon, you will feel like you can accomplish anything. If you’ve prepared well, I guarantee you’ll enjoy it and want to do it again. Scheduling another running event in the future will also give you a purpose to continue your training. Just like a healthy vegan diet, running benefits your fitness and mental outlook.

Whether you’re running a marathon or adopting a vegan diet, you’ll be up for bigger challenges and realize you really can do anything you can imagine.

For more information on upcoming racing events in scenic Hawaii:

maui marathon

Honolulu Marathon