Shoe Saving Measures

Now with all this talk about saving money – let’s focus on our shoe allowance.

Two important Questions:

How much did you spend on runners last year? And how long did those shoes last?

"The rule of thumb is usually about 500 to 700 miles is a good distance to replace your shoes."

The life of your runner depends on:

• Your body weight – I’m a bantamweight.
• How many miles – I’ve got 43 miles on pair #3, 477 miles on #2 and 460 miles on #1.
• Your foot strike - So far I have no issues.
• The type of shoe – trail runners versus flats.
• What surface you usually run on. I run on a mixed terrain and avoid cement.
• Keeping them clean. I have been known to throw them in the washer on the gentle cold cycle when I want them to look spiffy for a race. I also sweep them off with this Whisk.

Tips on runner care:

• Spray on a Waterproof spray before you take them outside. (I have never done this!)
• Shoe cleaning foam?
• Replace the insole after 100 miles. Sounds like a good idea.
• Make sure you facilitate the drying of your shoes! If they are wet, tilt them over and place them somewhere warm. I’ve even stuffed them with newspaper to absorb the moisture. [I think shoe dryers are for the rich and famous.]
• Rotate your shoes. I really believe this accounts for the long life of my runners.
• Did I mention throwing them in the washing machine?

How do you extend the life of your runners?

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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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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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