How does three months of free fitness coaching just in time for swimsuit season sound? Good? How about throwing a few cool Benjis PETA's way without touching your wallet? Even better? Whether you're a couch potato or a die-hard runner, you can become a member of the 2011 PETA Pack team and do both.
 

 
Starting on July 1, under the guidance of vegan tri-athlete, author, and speaker Brendan Brazier, PETA Pack-ers across the country will begin running for animals with others in their area or training on their own with support from the group. Training lasts until October when everyone completes a half-marathon (13.1 mile) or a 5k (3.1 mile) race of their choosing, with the money that they raise going to PETA's Investigations & Rescue Fund. 

Having your friends and family sponsor you keeps you motivated and supports PETA's lifesaving work for animals. Not only that, but the top fundraisers get some pretty awesome prizes. They haven't all been announced yet, but last year's top prize was a trip to an exclusive vegan resort in Costa Rica!

Visit our PETA Pack team site to get more information and sign up to run with the Pack. 
 

Written by Michelle Sherrow

The Daily Meal recently compiled a list of top vegetarian athletes, including Mike Tyson, Billie Jean King, and Joe Namath. We were inspired to compile our own list of 10 animal-friendly top talents who have gotten brawn from broccoli and endurance from eggplant:
 

1. Ricky Williams, who fills out a PETA T-shirt as nicely as he does a Miami Dolphins jersey, had a ball hosting PETA's vegetarian chicken-wing taste test.
2. Robert Parish is one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," partly because he made history of wimpy meat-eaters who got in his way.
3. "Olympian of the Century" Carl Lewis is a gold-medal winner with a heart to match.
4. Ultimate Fighter winner and King of the Cage world champion Mac Danzig eats his opponents for breakfast, but what he won't eat is animals.
5. Maybe Home Run Derby winner Prince Fielder inspired the Milwaukee Brewers' Miller Park to add veggie dogs and vegetable wraps to its menu?
6. Four-time Mr. Universe Bill Pearl is a gem for animals, with his healthy vegetarian diet.
7. If there is one thing Olympic gold medalist Hannah Teeter is as passionate about as she is about snowboarding, it's compassion for animals.
8. Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier credits his vegan diet with helping him recover after he was hit by a car while cycling, and he came back to win an Ultra Marathon Championship.
9. How do you get to be named by Men's Fitness as one of the "25 Fittest Guys in the World"? Ask Rich Roll, and be ready for him to tell you, "Go vegan."
10.  MMA Strikeforce Champion Jake Shields is a force to be reckoned with in the ring, but never in his life has he forced animals to die for his diet.
     

Written by Michelle Sherrow

The newly launched triathlon magazine 3/Go features PETA's own senior VP, Lisa Lange, a force to be reckoned with on path or lake. Talking about her passion for triathlons and vegan eating, Lisa told 3/Go, "I feel fresh and able to take on anything that comes my way." We got to have our own Q&A session with Lisa (it helps to have connections) and asked her to share advice for anyone wanting to try triathlons—or just enjoy better health.
 

Lisa Lange at the start of the 56-mile ride at the Rohto Ironman race in Oceanside, California (left), and relaxing with her dog, Sophie, after a race

 
 
What kinds of foods do you eat when training for a triathlon?

Overall, I eat a really healthy diet. Good carbs keep your energy up during training, and then after a long workout, I take in carbs and protein, usually veggies and a protein drink. I love Gardein chicken breasts, as they taste yummy and have a ton of protein, which helps with recovery after a long vigorous workout.
 

What kinds of foods are best for quick energy?

Before a shorter workout, I eat half a banana or half an energy bar, either that I've made myself or Vega or Lara bars for quick energy. I'll eat them on a long ride, too, and drink coconut water with lemon, ginger, and agave in it. That's very sustaining.
 

Were you vegan before you were a triathlete? Has your diet helped with your performance?

I was vegan when I started doing triathlons a year and a half ago, and it's a huge advantage energy-wise. I always had a ton of energy, and training has only increased it. I sleep better, too, and I get some of my best thinking done while I'm on the bike or a long run.
 

If you have a craving for junk food, what do you go for?

After a long race, I love Mexican food or vegan pizza. I also eat tortilla chips and chocolate. That's my indulgence after a hard race. My biggest indulgence is Cap'n Crunch. There's a box in my pantry for after my next Half Ironman in July!
 

What advice do you have for people considering taking up triathlons?

Read Thrive, by Brendan Brazier about the benefits of being a vegan endurance athlete. It's a very vegan-friendly sport. When it comes to nutrition, there's so much good vegan stuff out there. Whatever you need, there's a vegan version that's easy to find. And when you start training, take your phone with you in case you see an injured or lost animal, which has happened to me. And don't spend time considering triathlons—just do it! It's such a great sport.

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow