The Accidental Athlete: Trading Happy Hours for Healthy Miles

My healthy-lifestyle journey has unfolded like a gradual awakening over the past eight years.

Around 2018, I joined Hash House Harries, humorously known as A Drinking Club With A Running Problem. What started as casual social runs with beer stops evolved into a genuine passion for running, leading me to complete several 10Ks and a half marathon. (That full marathon training plan still sits on my nightstand, a reminder of adventures yet to come.)

The pandemic became an unexpected catalyst for change. I went back to my true love, cycling. I discovered the freedom of gravel biking and joined a training group. Two years later, I found myself completing an epic 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Since then, I’ve logged many thousands of miles in the saddle. It is great physical and mental exercise.

My commitment to fitness deepened last year when I joined a gym within running distance from home. Now, three to five times weekly, you’ll find me either pumping iron, gliding through lap lanes, or pushing through high-energy spin classes.

The evolution of my eating habits paralleled my fitness journey. I transitioned to a pescatarian diet, mastering the art of creating flavorful legume-based dishes. Beef, pork, and chicken have become distant memories, replaced by…