A generation or two ago, everyone was familiar with the story of Wilma Rudolph. Today, she has become a historic figure that many younger runners are unfamiliar with. Wilma is a real inspiration, a true legend and hero. Let her triumphs motivate and encourage you!

Wilma Rudolph was born premature on June 23, 1940, in Clarksville, Tennessee. Wilma was the 20th of 22 children. She was born with Polio, and one of her legs was so twisted she had to wear a brace on it. She was so crippled she couldn't attend school until she was 7. When Wilma was 12, she was in church one Sunday. Out of nowhere she just reached down, removed her brace, and walked down the aisle normally. By that time, Wilma had already beaten the chicken pox, the measles, whooping cough, pneumonia, and scarlet fever. No matter, by Wilma's sophomore year of high school she was setting records on the basketball team and leading the team to a championship season.

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!

I'll never forget the very special day my dad shared the movie “Running Brave” with me. I was in first or second grade and had just started running track. This movie is the real life story of Olympic gold medalist and Lakota Sioux orphan Billy Mills. “Running Brave” depicts Billy's struggles and successes leading up to and surrounding his 10,000 meter run in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. His victory is still considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history and was an Olympic record.

Seeing this movie was the first time in my life that I thought about how running could impact and change my life, rather than just being something I did. Like Forrest Gump said about his running, “I never thought it would take me anywhere.” “Running Brave,” which was written by Billy and his wife, seemed to sink in at a cellular level somehow, telling my heart and soul that running was medicine and prayer and so many things wrapped in one....