Earth Day is Everyday

As I outdoorsy kind of person – the planet and all (well almost all) of its inhabitants are important to me.
I spend Earth Day re-evaluating what I have done to protect this environment I run and live in.
I am currently reading, “The World Without Us”. An interesting and well written book about the environment.
The chapter on plastics is particularly depressing.

“Except for a small amount incinerated, every bit of plastic manufactured in the world for the last 50 years or so still remains. It’s somewhere in the environment.”

Plenty of the plastics are being recycled now but they are refashioned into even more plastic manufactured goods.

A few things I’m doing to reduce my consumption of plastic:

• Buy larger containers of shampoo, hand lotion, soap, etc.
• Use products with less plastic packaging. (Buy in bulk.)
• Reuse plastics bags and liners.
• Look for products in glass bottles.

What are you doing? ( Would love to hear your ideas.)

And excellent resource on plastic in our society and how to reduce it - > Fake Plastic Fish
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Runscapes #8

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Earth Day 2009

Looking at this map, you can appreciate just how big the surface of Mother Earth is! Unfortunately, through my lifetime, I’ve only experienced a small part of her grand territory. But of what I have seen, I’ve made note of.
I never ignore a fresh breeze or the tiny hum of a bumblebee. Events like these make my day special.
So take a moment today - get in touch with the planet and appreciate just how lucky we are to be here. Keep on running.

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
-- Kahlil Gibran

Top Earth Day Activities and Tips
5 Healthy Ways to Celebrate

Above image: Wiki

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Cell Phone Hell

I sometimes run with my eyes downward - nose to the grindstone. Along the roadway I spot a busted cell phone. Sadly, as an icon of todays throw-away society, it is left for dead.
Of course, I brought this little treasure home. (Along with other litter.) But this phone was beyond repair - a cell phone in Hell.

"Only 3% of the population recycles their cell phone." [Source:nokia]

So only 3% go to Heaven - the rest end up like this. A picture of some 426,000 of them. (Click on image for the zoom.)
And this problem is not just here in the USA but world wide.

"Some 15 million old telephones are tucked away in drawers somewhere in Sweden."

There are plenty of organizations who will put your phone to good use. Let’s change these numbers.

50 Ways to Leave Your Cell Phone

"One ton of cell phones contain a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of silver and some 300 grams of gold."

A better approach - keep using your old cell phone until it dies. The fact that most cell phones are replaced every 18 months is absurd!

Where is your old cell phone?

Collective Good

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Serious Suds

I’ve been asked, by Ryan, to review a new cleaning product he is promoting. After washing clothes for eons – I figure I have a pretty good handle on what does the job.

Product: ProWash “An innovative new laundry solution for activewear clothing.”

Test Load: Husband's sweaty running clothes.

Pro:

• I like the container – environmentally savvy.
• You can use any water temperature.
• There is no perfume masking scent. The washed items have a pleasant clean smell to them. (No stale sweat :)
• It saves water as there is no need for two rinses.
• The polyester and technical shirts dried nice and soft.

Cons:

• It has a very small resealable cap. I know this will vanish one day and I will be left with an open container.
• Container pouch itself can get slippery.
• The measurements were confusing. Was the cap one or two units?
• Cost! It sells for $9.99 (24 ounces) at Drugstore.com. This is about twice as much as I pay for my concentrated – no scented product.

Summing up:
I like the product! The clothes were clean and I did not have to double rinse. (I usually add vinegar to the second rinse.) But because of the cost – I would only use ProWash on the really stinky loads.
Thanks Ryan for sending me a free sample.

Addendum
Somewhat related, I would like to share this article. “What’s Inside – Downy® Coats Briefs with Horse Fat” from WIRED’s Nov issue. After reading this I no longer use softener or fabric sheets. I sort my synthetics out and hang them to dry – avoiding the dryer and static cling.

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The Planet Earth

The planet Earth is not ours [to destroy.] By some miracle we exist here - along with a few billion of other creatures.
The movie – The Day the Earth Stood Still was not the best movie of the year, but I was moved by the message it carried.

It overtly demonstrated:

• Man’s ignorance.
• Lack of respect for the planet.
• And the absence of responsibility.

Amazingly, as dumb as the humans appear to be – there are some who really do show some compassion for the planet.

“If the Earth dies, you die. If the human race dies,
the Earth survives.” - Klaatu

Let’s try and make 2009 a better year for us and the planet.

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Say "No" to Bottled H20

This week’s theme at Runner's Lounge TIaRT is… Running Green
I’ve always had a special interest in protecting the environment. I’m not a hardcore tree hugger more like an evolved hippie.
My #1 practice for running green is:

Stop buying bottled water!

There was a time when you couldn’t buy individual bottles of pre-packaged water. Runners had to plan their routes to include public water fountains and gas stations for their water fix.
Now we can pack our water with us in reuseable containers.
And...
One nice trend I’ve noticed at races is Big Gatorade cylinders filled with water. So at your next race, instead of reaching for the free bottle of water - take a paper cup and fill’er up.

Previous posts on water:
Seven Ways Runners Can Go Green
Running and Hydration

Above T-shirt at cafepress

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Running With a Magic Wand

This weeks theme at Runner's Lounge TIaRT is…Choose Your Superpower. "What superpower runners would have if they could?

My Superpower

I wish I could unfold
a magic wand.
And when I ran by litter
I could point my wand
and presto - the debris
would magically disappear.
No rabbits in my hat – or abracadabras.
Just an invisible wand I could run with.
Help me make the world a better place.

I would like to give Magic Wands to other runners, like me, that pick up trash while running.
Including:
Eco-runner
Polka Dot Shorts

"There aren't many things that are universally cool, and it's cool not to litter. I'd never do it." - Matthew McConaughey

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Running Quotes

This weeks theme at TIaRT is… Running Quotes and Sayings.

Keep on Running
Snoopy image

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A Sign or Just a Bookmarker

As I sit on this jet reading “life is a verb”, I notice the bookmark ->
I have a collection of bookmarks – actually a pile of them. So when I open yet another book, I slip one in – not really noticing it.
It is there to mark my place…
The day before I left, I busily read a number of my fav running blogs sites including Ted’s Running Journal.
He mentions he had met a couple of authors promoting their running books. He included a picture of him with Bart Yasso.
Strange coincidence or a sign?
It seems as we age we start paying less attention to the world. Perhaps there is just too much stuff to process.

Starting now – pay attention!

1. A bike tire mark in the mud. 2. A young man walking a golden lab. 3. The sound of a passenger train. 4. A path leading to nowhere. 5. How the sun melts the frost. 6. Direction of the wood grain on the boardwalk. 7. An out of place rock – how did it get there?
ALL THIS AND MORE IS WAITING TO BE SEEN.

"Every day is a journey." wrote Basho

My Life On The Run

I wrote this post before I got home. Home Sweet Home. The above image was taken along one of my favorite runs in Canada.

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A Tree

--- Trees I Run By ---

When I run by this tree I feel her strength. I am honored by her very existance. There is no other tree like her around here. The trunk base must be 6 feet in diameter!

"Tapered trunks withstand greater stress (wind, vandals) than those that have little or no taper. A tapered trunk decreases in diameter with height."

I’ve had a difficult time finding her actual name. (Any ideas?)
A giant Redwood or perhaps a Cedar? Whatever - she is wise and sturdy and very old.

Sitting way too close to this house – she waits for us to eventually fade away…

An update to the identity of this tree. I emailed a local group called," The Eugene Tree Foundation" and they kindly replied with this.
That's a giant sequoia, or Sequoiadendron giganteum,
Kewl!

Both images taken with my cellphone.

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Indoorsman

“Outdoor activities have declined by 18-25 percent since 1980s.”

In the last issue of Nature Conservancy there’s an article subtitled,
“Is There Room for Nature in a Digital Age?”
Herds of humans observe nature from the safe confines of home. (Nature video junkies.) But will this replace the actual emersion into nature?
One of The conservancy’s chief scientists was quoted; This trend is more foreboding than tropical-forest loss or global warming.
I don’t profess to be an outdoor fanatic. But, I sense when I’m running down a path in the woods, that I actually belong there. I love that feeling!
Perhaps humans are evolving into a pack of indoorsman…This could be a good thing for us who are happiest outdoors.

Benefits (IMHO)

• Less trash in the landscape. Insiders would have a conveyor belt directly under their chair - transporting trash to a centralized underground repository.
• No crowds any season for camping, hiking, beachcombing, sailing, trail running…etc.
• Peace and quiet. Insiders would work from home – only venturing out occasionally to visit friends.
• Animals would be free to survive as anticipated.

What do you think will happen to us as we move away from actuality?

PS. I don’t expect to see the completion of this metamorphosis during my life time.

Videophilia
The World Without Us
The Big Trees

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Trees I Run By

Under every tree - patches of light – dancing. As I run by, sunlight filters through the canopy - catching the dust as it settles.

--- Trees I Run By ---

Corylus avellana L.
common filbert

In the summer I run along the north side of this filbert / hazelnut orchard. Not only do I appreciate the shade, but the serene surroundings.
There are still several small orchards around my neighborhood. They are interspersed between subdivisions and power lines. In a battle of who will survive – I think urban sprawl is winning…
Luckily, a bird dropped a nut in our backyard 2 years ago and we now have a healthy 3 foot shrub.

Notes:

• Indians used hazelnuts to make soup.
• The nut falls out of the lacy husk when it is ripe.
• They are rich in nutrients! Including Iron.
• The first commercial filbert orchard in the United States was here in the Eugene area at Dorris Ranch.
• Frangelico is a liqueur made with hazelnuts.

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Running Under Trees

I love running along this path even though it follows along private backyard fences. The canopy blocks the sun and filters the rain. The branches reach out awkwardly overhead - almost off balance...
In the winter, ponds form at the base of these trees – Ducks splash down as I run by.
Sadly, the city cut down a few of these trees – I guess home owners worried the branches would break off...

--- Trees I Run By ---

Oregon Ash

Notes:

• Snakes were said to be repelled by ash leaves or a circle drawn by an ash branch.
• Irish folklore claims that shadows from an ash tree would damage crops.
• It is in the olive family.
• It is 1 of 16 species of ash in the United States.
• And the only ash native to the Pacific Northwest.

Pinnate Leaflet
I carried home

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Earth Day Preamble

The last race I ran – they handed out, with the bib #, the usual goodie bag including race notices, coupons etc. But this year the bag was a paper manila envelope and inside a note saying bring this envelope back so we can re–use it! I always recycle all paper products anyways but what a cool idea.
Here’s my action list:

• Bring my own bags when I go shopping.
• Continue a Vegetarian diet - strive towards vegan.
• Turn off the lights and TV when I leave the room.
• Maintain my vegetable garden and an herb garden.
• Compost wastes using a tumbler.
• Take old stuff to the second hand store. (Actually my husband does this for me : )
• Recycle books always! Member of paperback swap and library.
• Rarely go clothes shopping.

• Drive to work.
• Still use little plastic bags for some produce items.
• Watch too much television!
• Should buy more items in bulk.
• Support local shops and buy fresh produce – even if it costs more!
• Not using recycled toilet paper.
• Wean myself off paper plates.
  

Every day is Earth Day!

Earth day – a day to re-examine our activities. Can we do better?

This site has tons of information and ideas. David Suzuki Foundation

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Course Synopsis Part 2

Yesterday I biked that last part of the Eugene's Half-marathon route. Starting at the 9 mile bridge (Autzen Footbridge) I headed East towards I-5.
It’s takes you in close proximity to the Ducks stadium (home of the Oregon DUCKS) and the finish line. Then it loops out across an open field area – part of Pre’s Trail. I like this wide open area. You will be able to see runners returning from the far side.
This open space was once the city’s dump. It was closed in the early 1970's. I can’t even guess why someone would set up a landfill right on the banks of a river.
The path has lots of gentle hills or mounds with spectacular views of the river. I would give it 9 out of 10!

19 days till the big race.

Course Synopsis Part 1

We all cross this foot bridge at the 9 mile mark.
Hopefully still smiling and feeling strong!


Autzen Footbridge
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Running By An Old Tree

I take it as a sign. This morning I spotted a young woman performing yoga under one of my favorite old trees in Eugene. I’ve just started thinking seriously about getting into yoga. The many years of running has left me inflexible and prone to injury. Now I know it must be the right time...

--- Trees I Run By ---

I frequently divert my run off the river path to run through the
Owen Rose Garden. It’s so fragrant when the roses are in bloom. (Over 4,500 rose bushes.)
But it’s this magnificent cherry tree that really draws me in. The limbs all knarly as they reach out over the roses. Like some wise Yoda it stands guard. Sadly, some of the lower braches are now supported with metal poles – we all get old...Today it was in full bloom.

A Black Tartarian Cherry
Live Web Cam
Prunus avium

This tree is 140 - 155 years old. Its trunk circumference 21 feet!
It continues to flowers profusely in the spring.
It is considered the largest cherry tree in Oregon, and possibly the entire United States!
Ref. Eugene Tree Foundation (pdf)

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Seven Ways Runners Can Go Green

I know it’s St Patrick’s Day – not Earth Day: but when you see the color green today use it as a reminder to practice something good for the environment.


Seven Ways Runners Can Go Green

1. Recycle your old shoes. I have a system – when my runners disintegrate I use them as garden shoes. I have a hard time parting with old runners... But shoes I don’t like go directly to the thrift store.
2. Take you own water bottle to races. Many of the races I go to now provide a large Gatorade container with fresh water – so you can refill your bottle.
3. Don’t buy little bottles of water.
4. Wear your running shirts – don’t leave them in the closest. When you're ready... bundle a few up and take them to the thrift store. I also cut them up and use them to polish my furniture. (PS. Before you part with your old favorites, send me a picture of them and I will memorialize them here.)
5. Pick up just one piece of trash along your run – map out Trash bins so you don’t have to carry it with you the whole run. (I’ve been seen in the early AM. Running with a beer can in my hand.)
6. Run/walk/bike instead of drive. Use those legs of yours!
7. Grow something you can eat. Even if you just have a planter. Try lettuce, spinach – tomatoes!

Have a great day – try and catch a Leprechaun!

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Going on Vacation

I’m starting to plan next week’s runs – I will be on vacation! And I have no idea where I will be running. (Kind of exciting.)
Running is a critical part of my life – so I never forego workouts even when I’m away.
So looking forward to early morning runs, sunrises, - going snorkeling and gorging on fresh pineapple!
This is my last running post for the moment.
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Introducing a new segment...I will identify and research one new tree each run. No, I won’t be sidestepping into people’s yards – just picking up leaves or twigs along the way.

--- Trees I Run By ---

Today, at the 2.2 mile mark, I passed under a magnificent Douglas-fir tree.

The Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii

I found this sprig at the base of a very large tree. (For surviving in city limits.) Diameter 2 - 2.5 feet! This grove of very large Douglas fir trees are found in a small area in North Eugene. Why these trees were not chopped down for lumber is unknown to me. But I am in awe every time I run under them.
: )
BTW - It's Oregon's State Tree

Reference
National Audubon Society Field Guide To TREES

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Great Parks for Runners

What I think Great Parks for Runners should include:

• Pathways - These can be regular trails or paved pathways. Please - no cement!
• Direction Signs - I always seek out signs when I first enter a new park. Many show the lay of the land with directions including the distance. (Bonus!)
• Pit Stops - That include drinking water and some privacy – if needed. Port-a-potties have become recent stand-ins. I don't like them.
• Easy Access - There should be plenty of free parking. And entry to the paths from more than one region.
• Lots of Trees - I like the park like feeling trees give. They provide shade and clean air.
• Bridges - I know a bit extravagant – but hey, they don’t have to be big. Even just a small wooden deck over a ditch. Just make sure they are designated for pedestrians only... Runners love running over bridges.

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Have a great Monday!

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