<a href="http://www.herbs-wholesale.com/categories/Pancreatin/546/Pancreatin.htm">Pancreatin supplements helps digest the proteins in food</a>
Pancreatin, a type of proteolyctic enzymes, helps digest the proteins in food. Although the body produces these enzymes in the pancreas, certain foods also contain proteolytic enzymes.
You may not get the same nutritional advantage from a whey shake as you would from a natrual protein source. Understanding you are a vegetarian limits your choice of protein. Regardless, look for natural protein sources compatable with your diet. You might also benefit by snacking on nuts (e.g., almonds), which can supply good fats, vitamins, and minerals that might be missing from your vegetarian diet.
I am not sure exactly how long protein takes to digest, but it is digested faster than fat, so I would guess about 2 hours. Since you are a vegetarian and a runner, your protein need is increased. By not eating enough protein, your own endogenous proteolytic enzymes are decreased, making protein digestion/absorption even harder. I would suggest you supplement your diet with a proteolytic enzyme (Protease) to increase your absorption. At your weight and activity level, you can do around 65-70 grams of protein and be healthy. As your activity, stress, health problems, weight training, etc. increase so does your need for protein. Hope this helps!