Scott Spitz
41
23 year vegan
1/2 Marathon PR – 1:09:46
Marathon PR – 2:25:55
—
Post/Present Cancer Marathon PR – 2:40:11
As my running resume continues to expand, from aging PRs to new distances and boundaries surpassed, the running experience increases in depth and meaning. I no longer have a predictable trajectory of where my running will take me, but I can continue to say wherever I go, from competitions to ultra running benefits to mere cathartic physical expressions, I’ll be running there.
Run Vegan 
So my dear son, are you really crediting me for your successful launch into running? How sweet!
Well, either you for running that race, or dad for not exerting proper supervision as I took off down the road. I suppose it’s 50/50 if we look at it from a biological standpoint.
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I would like to take a moment to admire you. Your perseverance has inspired me to continue the movement of enthusiastic vegan athletes. I am on my first vegan year and have competed in several 10k and 5ks. My goal is to have at least one marathon completed by the end of this year. It is definitely challenging holding up against the competition (carnivores), however, that is what keeps me amped, the driving force underneath my skin to continue and show the world vegans are not freaks and can compete just as well as others. If you have any words of wisdom feel free to shoot them right on back. Thanks again for being yourself and striving towards excellence in the competitive world of animals.
Hi Scott,
Matt Ebersole gave me your name and I’d like to talk to you about an article in The Indianapolis Star’s Healthy Living section on your running.
Can you call me ASAP? My work number is 444-6294.
Thanks, Barb Berggoetz (health/fitness reporter)
congratulations on your running accomplishments scott, as well as you vegan lifestyle.. it’s an extremely rewarding way to live, that’s for sure 🙂
and that’s a cool shirt
Thanks Canistel…the singlet was a limited run for myself and the Chicago Soy Dairy owners. No mass production plans as of yet. 😉
You are an inspiration to this average, vegan runner 🙂
Hey thanks Kate.
here here! I may not be fast, but going vegan has made my recovery much faster! 🙂
Backed, 100%! Got get ’em.
Thanks Sam, the feeling is mutual! Also, you, xrodolfox and myself need to get in on a tri relay somewhere and completely own a course record under “team vegan”. Seriously.
Hey Spitz! I finally found your site 🙂 it’s amazing 😀
Hey, thanks! Glad you like it.
Hey Spitz, I have been a pescatarian since I was five -six years old ( I can’t remember) I was originally was going to be a vegitatarian when I started but my dad convinced me at that age to be a pescatarian, for a while (years) I have wanted to give up fish etc, so that I didn’t have to keep explaining what a pescatarian was and I care about the ocean and marine wildlife very much, a lot more than I was little. I reeeaally want to tell my dad that I want to be a full vegitarian but it is going to make our life a lot harder because (I am also a runner) and my dad is a hard a$$ when it comes to my protein and my health, plus we are always on the go and he relies on that pescatarian diet of mine to keep food not as hard for him to feed me (another reason is that we are poor and cant always get the best things for my diet) so how do I tell him that I want to be a full fledged vegitarian?
Bailey, the best thing you can do to convince your dad is to be informed about his nutritional concerns and show him that you will eat properly. As a vegetarian who is aware of “proper foods”, you are at an advantage of eating better already.
To get into specifics though, the main reason people eat fish (besides tradition) is for Omega 3’s and lean protein. I don’t know what to tell you about protein except that if you don’t eat candy all day long, protein won’t be an issue. Protein is in almost everything you eat, but it doesn’t hurt to focus on some protein rich grains like quinoa and rice. Then there are beans, tofu, fake meats, tempeh, soy products, etc. etc. etc. Omega 3’s aren’t as plentiful as protein, but you can get them in walnuts, fortified foods, soy milk, margarines, etc. etc.
Finally, although I don’t take but one supplement (B12), it can’t hurt to convince your dad of your decision if you promise to take a multi-vitamin or specific nutrient, even though, if you eat diverse foods you’ll get whatever you need already.
Oh, and one last thing, become informed. Read a couple books on veganism…there will certainly be information regarding nutrition in them. It will strengthen your case. Or, for quicker access, start clicking through the links on my blog. Lots of good information there.
Ok, good luck and let me know if you need anything else!
also ONE more question 🙂 oh and by the way i got up the courage to tell my dad and we’re just making sure i get my daily vitamin now (i haven’t been taking one for years) and just eating a lot more peanut butter 🙂 but anyway, i get a LOT of crap about being a vegetarian and feeding my snakes live mice, and i feel really bad for them… 😦 it’s okay to do that right?to be a veg head but feed animals meat?>?
Good for you Bailey! As far as the mice thing….some people may have issues with it, but the fact is that carnivorous animals eat other animals. It may be weird taking part in that process, but when you’ve made the decision to own an animal as a pet you have to take on that role. If you didn’t provide the appropriate diet to the snake it would die of starvation…and that wouldn’t be very pretty either.
Scott, Just checked out he results of the Marathon and congrats. on another amazing race!!!! Feel proud of your acomplishment…… In reading through your Blog, I know you were expecting more, however your feat is simply AWESOME!!!!! Charge ahead
Thanks for following again Terry! Yeah, it wasn’t what I was going for, but I don’t feel I failed in the attempt. Conditions were just out of my control. I’ll be back soon to make another go at it and we’ll get it sooner or later!
Hey Scott, I just found your site and you on face book. I too am attempting a 2012/2016 Olympic Trials Marathon time after coming back from major spine surgery in Jan. 2010. 14 screws, 4 rods, and 2 plates now reside in my spine. Ran a 3:16 marathon this year. Shooting for 2:50 in Spring. The other thing is I am attempting to go Vegan. I have been vegetarian off and on (with occasional fish) but now dealing with food allergies and auto immune issues. So veganism and a clean fuel diet it is. So excited I found your site and blog. Good luck.
Hey Scott, I admire you and enjoy your website. I am a frequent marathon runner – approx. 6 – 8 per year for many years. I will not be joining you in the Olympic trials anytime soon, my pr is 3:20 – not 2:20, but I wanted to share my story with you and readers of your site who may be considering a switch to vegan running. For many years I was a conflicted animal rights proponent – all of my charitable contributions have been to animal rights groups for as long as I can remember, but I continued to eat “humanely raised” organic meat (until 8 months ago when I switched to a completely vegan diet). It was an easy decision for me thanks to a routine physical with blood work that uncovered high cholesterol and other serious coronary disease risk indicators that left me scratching my head – how could a reasonably lean, 42 yr old who runs 50 miles a week and repeated marathons be at high risk for heart disease? Well, I learned the hard way that exercise alone is not enough! I am thrilled to report that after 7 months of a healthy vegan diet and continued training and racing (5 marathons since making the switch) with no decrease in performance whatsoever, my blood was checked again — my cholesterol dropped 60 points and every other negative indicator had completely reversed (without any medication). I have never been happier or felt better about my running. I dropped 10 lbs during the first six weeks, but have maintained that weight without any further loss. I am eating delicious, healthy meals and never feel as if anything is missing. Best of luck with your olympic trial attempt – I will keep checking out your site.
Just found your site! Its fantastic. Looking forward to reading through it and checking in for future posts.
Cheers,
Cherie
Hi Mark! Nice stuff 😀
I’m goin to add your schedule on http://www.vegansport.org website, check it up and sign on so you can update your results and write whatever you want and I’ll translate it for italian readers..
Well done and keep it up!
Giuliano
scott, you suck. I’m going for a walk.
Gracias. Enjoy getting fat. 😉
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Hey Scott, my name is Nicole…I’m in 11th grade and an avid proponent of veganism and all it has to offer, as well, of course, running and staying active. I LOVE to run but lately, as it’s been chilly in Minnesota, I haven’t had the motivation…any advice? I’ve been cooking a lot, and I’ve been on the plant-based diet for about 8 months. As a result, I’ve “converted” many friends and family. I’m proud to incorporate this lifestyle wherever I go and it’s really worth something to wake up and be blessed with a healthy body and mind. I am going to run in college, I’m going to Texas (it’ll be hot). I try to run, also, wherever I travel. I ran in Paris and Dublin last summer and got some miles in. This summer, however, I’m excited about attempting 350 miles as a senior. I am nearing my 4th year in Track and 4th in Cross Country, so as you can see, I’m pretty into running…but like I mentioned, just am a bit of a procrastinator… I really admire you and found this blog after typing in “how to be vegan and a runner” into google. So thanks for making this; it’s an inspiration to anyone seriously considering being a vegan and a runner. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to read this. -Nicole
Nicole…Nice work on all your running accomplishments and future goals! As far as motivation advice, wow, that can be a long subject, of which I’ve addressed in some of my recent blog posts. Finding the motivation to run for me has always been about looking toward small pleasures and focusing on them. When training for a race or any larger goal, motivation comes easy, but when that doesn’t do it, it can be about a shower after the run or finding a new route or running the sun up or even knowing that I’ll come up with something funny to write about on facebook afterwards. It sounds ridiculous, but sometimes it’s the small things that get me out the door. As far as the cold goes…I understand how demotivating that can be. All I can say is, there is always the treadmill. I’ve actually grown to enjoy the treadmill…due mainly to avoiding the cold when I’m just not feeling up to it. Good luck with everything you have coming up!
-Scott
Scott,
I found a special reasoning in your words regarding your embodiment of the vegan lifestyle. it is both reassuring and refreshing to come across an individual whose conscious in so clear.
I am marveled by your clarity and commitment, and from your blog I will take with me a more consolidated understanding of the importance in maintaining my running vegan lifestyle.
Thank you,
Maria
Student. Wolfville, NS, Canada.
Maria, Thank you for the good words! I always appreciate the feedback. Regarding commitment, I don’t find it all that difficult when I’ve been presented with the reality of the lives animals are subjected to for food production. Once you see the conditions animals live in first hand, the commitment becomes concrete and effortless.
Regardless, I share an equal respect with your willingness to face the issue and follow your conscience.
Take care. Run fast.
-Scott
hi –
just found your blog – really like it!
i’m a 41 year old drug free hardcore “kid” & vegan runner (just did my 2nd marathon last week).
was feeling a little blue this morning and your blog amped me.
appreciate it.
skott
Good to hear from you Skott. Nice work going from “I ran a marathon” to “I run marathons”. Keep going forward and keep reppin’ the core! 😉
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Scott,
Your blog is great, I’ve been vegan for about 3 years now but I’m only just now (Last year or so) starting to take advantage of how good I feel and I’ve started running regularly. This blog of yours is the perfect motivation for someone like me, so please keep up the good work.
P.s It’s nice to meet a fellow veg head/heavy music enthusiast……well digitally anyway 🙂
Thanks for the good words Nick and glad to hear your running is going well. I’ll keep running and typing away…take whatever inspiration you can from my efforts. And good too meet you too! We need more metal heads in the running community!
Hey Scott, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and just thought I should let you know that I find it absolutely awesome. Always a great read, always inspiring… please keep doing this, ok? 😉
All the best from Frankfurt/Germany, your fellow-vegan-runner,
Daniel
Thanks Daniel! I always appreciate the feedback and I DO plan to continue on….you do the same!
I’m very happy to uncover this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new stuff in your blog.
It’s so great to meet another vegan distance-runner. Those are some killer PRs by the way. I look forward to following you and checking in on your latest races and ramblings. Plant-Powered for life! 🙂
Thanks Forksto Feet!
Hey there! I just discovered your blog and love it! Nineteen years vegan, wow I hope I get there (I’ve got 17 years to go). I’m not a runner, however. Maybe I’ll pick that up one day. Celeste 🙂
Nice to meet you too Celeste!
🙂
awesome times! have been vegan for 6 years and just signed up for my 2nd 1/2 marathon. want to beat the time i did last year, nice to have great inspiration from people like you :)!!!
Thanks Steph…good luck in your race!
Hey Scott, I met you at Ft. Ben last year while joining you in the fight against Leukemia with TNT. I learned of your personal fight against cancer all the while you were preparing to do a century ride. Not only did you complete the century ride you kicked my butt and raised money for a great cause. Okay enough about that…I am a HUGE fan of yours and lately I recently joined PBT and heard that you had a blog. I have only read your last three posts but getting a good sense of how you have grown through these past several months thru your treatments. As you know my 18 year old daughter was diagnosed with ALL and was only given days. She responded well to initial treatments and is a survivor today after 2-1/2 years of chemo along with many other toxic drugs. Looking at your bio, my daughter bragged as well of being drug free but can’t really say that anymore after all her treatments 🙂 Your writings reflect some of the exact avenues and memories that I went through personally and we went through as a family. We found strength in family and friends but mostly it was the spiritual awakening and direction that our family engaged in that gave us complete confidence in whatever the outcome. Again I am one of your biggest fans…keep up the great work and would love to ride/run with you again this summer. God Bless!!!
Thanks so much Randy. I hope to be more functioning soon, back on the bike and riding with you all again!
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Scott: you kickass. The words don’t even encapsulate the awesomeness of your kickassery. Keep your head up. Keep being an inspiration. You, as a person, resonate with so many around you. That said, we wanted to let you know that we nominated you for the Liebster Award. (check out our recent post) Thanks for putting your life out there for all to experience.
NMB! Thanks so much for that! I appreciate you reaching out to me and greatly value all the work you do. Let me know how I can ever help your projects and I’ll do my best. Take care friends.
Hi… I admire your time and the fact that you are vegan!!!
Hey Scott,
Very cool prints you’ve making. Is there somewhere I can purchase one?
Thank Desarae, Yes I have an Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/morefireprints
Your story is so inspiring. Keep blogging and leading the way for vegan athletes.
Scott I was just now reading this Runners World from December 2014 & I was just reading your story. Wow your impressive & most definitly inspirational! Are you cured? I hope so! Your an inspiration to all——–thanks!
Thank you Randy…I am still living with cancer, but for the time being all is normal and stable. I’m glad you enjoyed the Runner’s World story.