How a vegetarian diet took me all the way to the Arc de Triomphe.
A year ago, I crossed the finish line of the Paris Marathon in 4 hours 06 minutes. With a huge smile on my face and my legs (almost) intact. When I embarked on this adventure, my first objective was simply to finish.
Then, during the preparation, I secretly dreamt of a 4h30. And yet, that day, I did better!
This marathon wasn’t just a performance. It was the culmination of 10 years of running, and above all three key changes in the months leading up to it:
- A training routine that’s finally structured
- Targeted muscle strengthening
- A 100% vegetarian diet for endurance
I was told that without animal proteins, I'd never make it.
That plant proteins wouldn’t be enough for such an effort, that running 42 km without meat was a risky bet. A year on, I can say with even greater hindsight that none of this is true.
My vegetarian diet wasn’t a hindrance. It has been one of my greatest assets. Stable energy, better recovery, optimised digestion. I went into the race with a clear head and I held on from start to finish.
What this race has changed
Looking back, I realise that this marathon was a trigger. Not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally and professionally.
Crossing that line was much more than finishing a race. It was the start of something else. Of a project that I was carrying within me without yet giving it a name.
Birth of Best Veggie Tables
It was after this experience that I decided to finally take the plunge! To make my Best Veggie Tables project a reality. A place to share everything I’d like to learn along the way.
- Concrete keys to plant nutrition
- A softer vision of performance without pressure.
- Resources for surpassing yourself without betraying yourself, and staying true to your values.
Because no, eating plant-based food is not a constraint. For me, it’s a real lever for transformation.
What a year of hindsight has taught me
Since the marathon, I’ve continued to explore, test and learn. I’ve given other people advice on their own challenges, and I’ve realised one thing: plants are a powerful driving force. When it’s well thought out, it gives you momentum, clarity and consistency, and enables you to build a sustainable performance: one that respects your body and your convictions.
And now ?
I’m continuing to move forward, preparing for my new challenges: sporting, but also human and professional, all the while keeping the same energy: progressing, listening to my body, following my values… and taking other people with me.
I’m currently preparing an article on the pillars of my vegetarian nutrition during my marathon preparation.