Jason Bahamundi is a Plant Based Endurance Athlete That Doesn’t Compromise on Taste

My guest today is no stranger to pushing his limits having finished multiple 100-mile races and Ironman Triathlons.

Jason Bahamundi

Endurance athlete Jason Bahamundi has learned how to fuel for performance with plant a based diet.

We will go a few easy miles as he shares how healthy performance based eating can taste good too.

1 mile 100 times

Ultra Endurance events were never part of Jason’s “plan.”

He began running as an adult in 2008 after being convinced to train for a 5k.

It was through blogging in 2011 that a fellow blogger convinced him to do a 50 miler.

The race went so well that he immediately set his sights on a 100 miler.

Endurance events require mental strength as well as physical.

Some strategies Jason has found helpful when attempting extreme physical feats are:

• Knowing when the aid stations are and focuses on getting to and from each one.
• Counting as he runs or doing math in his head helps the miles pass by.
• If doing a looped course counts the loops rather than the miles.
• If following a pacer, he turns off his mind and lets the pacer dictate decisions.

The 100 mile race always strikes fear in him because so many things can go wrong.

When the race goes right, Jason can be quite competitive.

After completing the Rocky Raccoon 100 he realized he had won his age group.

This Episode Is Sponsored By: DKMS

Lessons In Racing

Training may seem like a solo endeavor, but Jason has learned that his training includes all the family and friends that support him.

Racing a marathon at the end of an Ironman requires a different strategy than racing a stand-alone marathon.

A marathon after swimming and biking requires a gradual build as opposed to pushing harder from the start.

Variation in a course is often easier on the body rather than an all flat course.

Hiking up a steep hill can save both time and energy.

Power hiking is a skill to be practiced much like any other training.

Jason’s motto when racing on trails is, “Run when you can, walk when you must, and cascade down the hills.”

Jason Bahamundi on the Move

Experimenting Is Key

Jason didn’t always eat a plant-based diet.

Originally he began making tweaks to his diet as a way to help with training.

It wasn’t long before he noticed he felt better and recovered faster without meat in his diet.

Some tips for incorporating more plants into meals are:

• Be willing to make bad food and make mistakes.
• Buy something new every week to make.
• Experiment with spices.
• Get inspiration from others via social media.
• Start small and go more plant-based for 1-2 meals per week.

Training and fueling properly are only a portion of the whole picture for success.

Core work, strength, and massages are also on Jason’s calendar as a way to prevent injury and help with longevity in the sport.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• IronMan Chattanooga
• Rocky Raccoon 100
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team In Training

If you want to connect with Jason check out his Website and/or follow him on Instagram and Twitter. 

Jason Bahamundi didn't get his start in endurance sports until fairly recently, but he took to it like a fish to water! #runchat Click To Tweet

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