As a vegetarian athlete myself, I greatly admire vegan ultramarathon legend Scott Jurek (pronounced “Yurek”). Scott began eating a vegetarian, whole foods diet in 1997 then transitioned to veganism in 1999. He was concerned not only about his health but also about the environment. Most people are left in utter shock upon learning that Scott competes in 8-10 ultramarathons per year on a 100% animal-free diet (no eggs, no dairy, no meat, no animal by-products). His website states that all 7 of his consecutive wins at the most prestigious ultramarathon in the world, the Western States 100, were performed on completely plant-based fuel!

 
Scott Jurek began trail running as a child in the woods of northern Michigan. Although he competed on junior high and high school cross country teams, he didn't start to really build up his mileage until his sophomore year when he competed in nordic ski racing. He ran his first 50 mile event at age 20. Also, Scott has a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy and currently lives in Seattle.

 
Scott attributes meeting his wife Leah for his diet changes. Leah was a big fan of Andrew Weil’s books Spontaneous Healing and Eating Well for Optimum Health. Scott's big eye-opener came when he read Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman. Scott says, “This book really opened my eyes to the factory farming nightmare and how unhealthy it was for me, the animals, and the environment. I was so inspired after reading this book that I committed to cutting out all animal products from my diet from that point on."

The amazing thing about Scott Jurek is not so much that he's a vegan ultra-marathoner, but that's he's a world-class, legendary ultra-marathoner. Scott is the only North American to win the Spartathlon (153 miles from Athens to Sparta). He set the course record in the Hardrock Hundred, a Colorado race with a 33,000 foot elevation gain, considered the most difficult hundred-mile trail run. He also set a course record on “the toughest footrace on earth,” the Badwater Ultramarathon (135 miles from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney in 130 degree temperature). This is just a part of what makes Scott Jurek a true champion!


 

Last year, my dad died of pancreatic cancer. Today, March 30, would have been his 55th birthday. My thoughts drift away in memory. The reason I even decided to start running track was because my dad always spoke so fondly of his high school hurdling days. I was 6-years-old then and just wanted to do everything my dad did...you remember those days.

I remember all those sunny Saturdays at the track while other kids were doing little league. Between events, I used to sit in my dad's lap in the stands. He would ask me if my muscles were sore. They never were, but I always said yes because then I got a little massage.

While my mom was screaming her lungs out on the sideline for me, my dad sat back calmly and quietly. Of course, I didn't realize until a few years ago that he was probably more nervous than I was. Another thing I didn't realize until later was that my dad bragged about my track success to anybody and everybody—just out of my earshot.

When I got a little older and my dad saw that I was talented and passionate about track, he began to “coach” me. (The school track team coaching for my age was more like babysitting). He taught me how to lean forward when I landed in the long jump pit, rather than to fall back on my hands. He taught me to anticipate the starter's gun without false starting. He taught me to lean at the tape.

 When I got to junior high, many changes happened. Of course, I got my first opportunity to try hurdling and continue following in his footsteps. I was a good hurdler and set a school hurdling record in 8th grade. But, I also started high jumping. My dad didn't know anything about high jumping. Looking back, I think he felt a bit useless to me. What tips could he give me? What stories could he tell? Instead, I had to teach him the nuances of the event.

 
As I got into high school and college, I pursued the high jump and gave up hurdling. I could tell my dad was proud, but he didn't want my head to get too big. Once in college, we actually got into an argument after I won the conference meet in the high jump and qualified for nationals. I don't even remember what it was about, other than him nit-picking me. My dad had been such a good coach that I'd surpassed him, and now he didn't know what to do.

One of my favorite track moments with my dad was my very last track meet ever—NCAA Nationals in 2000. My parents stood on the fence line with my coach watching me. When I attempted a height that would have been a new personal best for me, I got so close to clearing it. Apparently, Mr. Silent-and-Calm was jumping up and down and waving his arms around. He ended up slashing his arm on the pointy top of the chain link fence they were leaning on. He had a huge, bloody gash.

Even though I had left the path of his footprints and was blazing my own trail, I never forget that I wouldn't even have been out there walking if it weren't for his influence, coaching, and support.

I love you, Dad! Happy birthday.

Some of the top collegiate athletes in North America gathered this past weekend in Fayetteville, AR for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.  Any time you get high-level athletes together for a championship meet you're going to see some great performances.  A few of the highlights from this past weekend:

Ashton Eaton -- The University of Oregon senior not only won the heptathlon, he also broke the world record!  While the rest of the best multi-eventers in the world were competing at the IAAF Championships last weekend (Americans Bryan Clay and Trey Hardee took gold and silver), Eaton stuck around to try and help his team win the NCAA title.  In the process he broke Dan O'Brien's world record and clearly established himself as the front-runner in the 2012 Olympics.  

Check out the interview with Eaton below...