Emelec, good luck with the marathon training/racing - that's fantastic!
it's funny, I was just reading an article this morning about why people don't just eat better (knowing what we know about health - it's a simple equation, really, yet 98% of diets fail) - it's a good read:
http://nutritionwonderland.com/2010/...st-eat-better/
I fully realize how lucky I am that I happen to LOVE vegetables, and am not a big meat fan. I do love wheat and dairy, though, and I eat very little of those for health reasons so that's a little challenging for me. My biggest weakness is candy - sweet chewy stuff like gummy bears and licorice, arrrgghhh! We all have our weaknesses though, I guess. I tend to follow the 90/10 rule - I don't keep the stuff in my home, and only "treat" myself to it here and there - moderation is key.
With the plant based diet, it's more about what you're cutting out than just loading up on vegetables. Even if you found just a handful of vegetables you can stomach, and experimented with different ways of cooking them, you'd have some good staples. For example, you might find that eating steamed kale reminds you of eating dirt, but saute it in a pan with a little oil and soy sauce, and add some sesame seeds, and you might have a new appreciation for it. Same with vegetables - maybe raw isn't your thing, and that's fine. Have you ever tried roasting them in the oven (carrots, yams, onions, garlic, parsnips, turnips, butternut squash, etc.) with a little oil and salt? MUCH different taste. Also, what about vegetable based casseroles and/or soups as a staple? Find what works for you. Also, by cutting out meat and dairy and eating things as close to their natural state as possible, you eliminate TONS of fat and processed foods.