Shout Out to Fellow Bloggers

I've been doing some updates to this blog over the last couple weeks. Mostly moving things around on the left sidebar--deleting a couple widgets, updating races, editing blogs I follow, and reordering where things appear. I want to point out that "my blog list" has gotten bigger. I deleted a few, but added even more. The current additions seem to center around minimalist running stuff: POSE, ChiRunning, and barefoot bloggers. That's what I'm "into" right now. I encourage you to check out their blogs. I don't know most of the bloggers I link to--they just caught my eye and I added them to my list. I like being able to see the title of their most recent post (and when it occurred). So, instead of posting the latest news on a bulletin board (picture in this post), I just link to the latest running-related blogs on my own blog. It's easier and more efficient. Hope you enjoy reading some of the blogs that I find motivating and interesting. If you come across other cool running-related blogs out there, let me know.

Run at Turkey Run

Jeff and I ran for about 2 hours at Turkey Run State Park in Indiana this morning. We did this a couple months ago, but thought we'd give it a try in the middle of summer to see how well maintained the trails are kept. And to see how miserable (or not) it was to run in the summer heat & humidity. It was great. The entire trail system, with very few exceptions, is covered by trees so you are shaded from the summer sun. Even though it rained hard yesterday, the trails were not muddy. And none of the trails were over-grown. They must do very regular weed-wacking out there in the summer months. A nice bonus was very few insects (even though there was no wind). I was not tormented by a single biting fly or mosquito! While the drive over is a bit far (90 minutes) it was worth it...and I plan on making it a regular selection in my trail running rotation. I hope to recruit a few buffalo to do the the next run (maybe in 2 weeks).

The trails are marked very well (and maps are available on the web). Since most of the trails are interconnected, you can devise a route that satisfies anyone. We could have EASILY gone for another 2 hours and not been bored. The variety of terrain is fantastic--wide open dirt paths, narrow single-track trails, twisting staircases climbing up and down hills, trails meandering down stream beds and ravines, ladders, rocks, trees, cliffs, suspension bridges and covered bridges...this place has it all!

After we had been running for about an hour, we came across a small group of hikers...two of which were using Vibram Five Fingers! About ten minutes later we ran into a guy hiking barefoot. We felt embarrassed to have trail shoes when these other folks were going so minimalist. Next time I'm bringing my five finger shoes. I should have taken pictures of those folks--you'll just have to believe me on this one (or ask Jeff). After we returned to the car, Jeff tried a short loop barefoot as a cool down. It was slow going since this section had lots of small gravel and roots. Next time it's the Vibram Five Finger Shoes!

Minimalist Runner

I'm trying to be more minimalist in my running. Particularly my footwear. I dabble in barefoot running and recently bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers shoes. I had my first trail run (really a walk/jog) in them last night. They worked well. I see myself dragging out my Vibrams, Nike Frees, and racing flats more often. All of these minimalist shoes help me concentrate on running correctly and building up strength in my feet. For those that want to know more about this "minimalist" running stuff, check out the recent book that has people again talking about (and trying) "back to nature" running: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.

Also, you might like the Google "Minimalist Runner" Group.

And Barefoot Ted's blog.

In the past when I ran barefoot on the local trails, people would scoff and ridicule. Yesterday when I ran in my five finger shoes, the locals were inquisitive and encouraging. Several runners talked about other people they knew that had the shoes. Some had tried barefoot walking and running themselves and wanted more information about it. Times have changed...at least for now. Coach Riddle was ahead of his time. He's been doing this barefoot stuff for a long time. Thanks for showing me the way to more natural running.

Recycle Your Shoes

I go through a lot of running shoes. I tend to buy ones I don't need and I tend to keep more pairs on hand than I will ever use on a regular basis. Lately I've been trying to reduce the number of old shoes in the house. I used to save them up for our local running club's collection at their big annual trail run, but I'm not even sure they still do that collection anymore (they donated the shoes to a local shelter). Plus, my shoes are more trashed than they used to be--that's what trail running does to shoes! Goodwill, Salvation Army, homeless shelters...none of them will want old beat up trail shoes. I need an alternative way to dispose of my shoes in a responsible manner.

I could just throw them in the garbage. That seems the wrong way to go since they'll end up in a landfill and almost never decompose. But I noticed an interesting occurrence last Monday when I tossed 2 pair on the top of my trash can...the garbage man took them for himself (don't ask why I was up at 4:30am looking at the garbage man collecting my trash). Hey, that's sort of recycling (reuse is good!). I probably can't count on my local garbage man to keep my old shoes. What else can I do?

Shoes4Souls collects shoes and redistributes to needy people around the country (and world). A great program, but you need to get your shoes to them. Fortunately, unlike many other programs, they seem to have more collection sites--many Finish Line stores will take your shoes. The shoes need to be in OK shape...that eliminates almost all of my used shoes. Maybe yours will qualify, mine don't.

Shoe4Africa will take your shoes and distribute them to needy people in Africa. Of course, you need to send them your shoes (or find a local collection site). Not an easy task since I am in central Illinois with no large cities around. If you live in a big metro area, there probably are collection sites or running stores you can easily visit. Another good program, but not for me.

So if I can't donate shoes to a good cause because my shoes are in poor condition, what alternative do I have except trash? Fortunately, the Nike Reuse A Shoe program will take any type of shoe in any condition! They don't distribute the shoes to other people, they rip them up and turn them into "Nike Grind" which can be used in playgrounds, sports facilities, and even in future Nike products. Again, you need to get the shoes to them. I found that their outlet stores are often drop-off sites. We have an outlet store within a 30 minute drive so I will try them next time I have a bag of shoes to dispose of in a responsible manner. I won't drive there just to deliver the shoes (that seems like a waste of gas), but the store is located in a big outlet mall where I can shop for other things...like more shoes!

Another way to be more environmental conscious is to not go through shoes so quickly. Keep them for more miles. Go barefoot. Tread lighter so you don't beat up the shoes. And the shoes you do buy could be more environmentally friendly too--try companies and shoes that are sensitive to environmental issues: END footwear, Brooks Green Silence (and their BioMoGo midsole shoes), New Balance (many are made in the USA and are PVC free thus reducing pollutants and overall carbon footprint), etc.

For more ideas about being a good "ecological runner" (beyond recycling your shoes) see the Eco Runner web site (basically the idea is to pick up trash while you run). Here is an article with tips on being an overall "greener" runner.

Let me know if you have more suggestions on how to recycle my old running shoes...or ideas on how to be a greener runner. Thanks.