Running For a Greener Earth

I am an admitted running freak. I am one of those people who whether rain or shine, hail or high-water, world on the verge of Apocalypse or not, is going to get her run in for the day. I just don't feel right without a good shot of those endorphins. Some say I may be addicted, but as far as addictions go I'd choose this over many others, so that's okay with me. That being said, I tend to go through running shoes pretty quickly, as pounding the pavement will inevitably do. I do always feel a little remorse at the passing of my last shoe; the miles we've spent together and the many runs we've shared. Though, I have found a way to ease the loss felt by ending my love affair with one pair and moving onto the other, and it is right in line with the ethical impact I strive to achieve.

You see, those worn out soles can be recycled and reused to be build into playgrounds, athletic surfaces, and my personal favorites: tracks! That's right, I can complete the entire circle by literally busting my shoes down by running laps on the track, and then watch as they in turn be transformed into that very same surface, neat, huh? Well, being that I live in Portland, OR, which is also the site of Nike's World Headquarters, I heard about the Reuse-A-Shoe program and thought just how ingenious it is. I can drop off my battered past foot loves and they are then ground down and used to make those surfaces.

Now, you don't have to live only in this fair city to do the same, there are drop off sites in most other Nike stores and you can find a place online at http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/ and take part in the worldwide process too. I just found that by contributing to another cause that helps to reduce waste and also build equipment for communities, I can take my affinity, passion, or even borderline addiction of running and turn it into something that helps others and reduces the overall product waste and consumption.

Working to reduce my own carbon footprint with footprints of a different nature are an easy way to have a positive, ethical impact. Truthfully, I'd be doing it anyways, but now when I catch flack from people calling me obsessive, or heaven forbid I still get that tired line, "Run, Forest, Run" from some misguided soul who still thinks that's funny, I can offer up the excuse that I'm running to save our planet!

Photo Credit: dreamstime